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Annual Essay Competition Focuses On Ummah, Unity

Community News - Community News

Written by Muslim Link Staff

Sunday, 16 December 2012 14:40

The annual Essay Panel Competition (EPC) is scheduled for January 26, 2013. This year the contest will be held at Prince George's County Muslim Association (PGMA).

Contestants are asked to submit all essays by January 7, 2013. Strong local participation has always been a cornerstone of this essay competition. Past winners have included youth leaders, local Islamic and public schools students from around the DMV area. Every year winning essays are published in a book; past years' collections are available for sale on Amazon.

"Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people," said Jim Rohn, the famed motivational speaker. These skills are vital for the development of the next generation of Muslim leaders.

The contest provides Muslim youth with an occasion to showcase writing skills and individual knowledge and perspectives on their understanding of the religion. It aims to be a skill enhancement platform that gives them the opportunity to develop their writing, speaking and leadership skills. Contestants can also submit multi-media submissions, websites, PowerPoint presentations, movies as well as posters. All entries must comply with specified contest rules. Pre-registration is required.

To help youth prepare for the competition, the organizers host writing workshops. The last EPC workshop will be held on December 15, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at PGMA .

This year theme is “Building a Community: Prospering through Unity”.

Elementary school students' essays will focus on: Why are Muslims considered one Brotherhood/Sisterhood?

Middle School students will attempt to answer the following question: The Muslim Ummah is one entity in the sight of Allah. Explain the significance of this for modern day Muslims.

High School and older students are assigned: And hold fast to the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves... (Surah 3:103) What is the meaning of this ayah? Describe how Muslims today can join together to create a stronger Ummah.

Top contestants in the written essay will proceed to the speech competition. The contest is organized by the Mafiq Foundation. Sponsors include ADAMS Center, Al-Huda School, Al-Fatih Acadamy, Dar al Hijrah, Dar Al-Noor, El-Iman Learning Center, ICCL, ICM, ICNA-MD, ISB, Islamicbookstore.com, ISWA, Dar-al-Taqwa, MCC, PGMA, Pizza Roma, Sterling Management, Route 1 Shell, Suburban Heart Institute, and other local area businesses and institutions.

For more information and entry rules, visit http://epc.mafiq.org.