“Dream Deferred” Essay Contest on Civil Rights in the Mideast

Young people from the Middle East or the United States (US) are invited to enter the "Dream Deferred" essay contest on civil rights and free expression in the Middle East, run by the Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance (HAMSA). Entrants must reside in Arab League member states, Iran, Afghanistan, or the United States. The HAMSA website lists four essay questions for those living in the Middle East and four for those living in the US. According to the contest rules: if you are a foreigner currently studying in the US, you can enter the contest; if you are a Middle Easterner studying in the US, answer one of the questions posed to Middle Easterners; if you are a citizen of the Middle East temporarily living outside the region, you can still enter the contest; and, if you are from the US and currently living overseas, you can enter the contest.

The essay contest asks young people aged 25 and under to consider the importance of individual rights, the potential for non-violent reform, and ways people can contribute on the grassroots level to the region's nascent civil rights movement. Essays should be at least 600 words, but no longer than 1,500 words.

A winner in the Middle East and one in the US will receive US$2,000. One second place winner in the Middle East and one in the US will receive US$1,500. Three runners up in the Middle East and three in the US will receive US$500 each. 50 book prizes will be awarded to additional outstanding essays.

Essays can be submitted in English, French, Arabic, and Farsi.