American Muslims for Palestine, Northern California Contest

Do you love Palestine and working for Palestine? Want to win $500? This is your chance to put that passion to work. Take part in this unique opportunity to showcase your writing skills and commitment to Palestine!!

PRIZES: 1st Place - $500, 2nd Place - $350, 3rd Place - $150

- Winning pieces will be submitted to nationwide media sources for publication.

Rules:

1. Contest is open to all high school and undergraduate college students.
2. Contestants must reside in the greater Northern California area.
3. Contestants must include their FULL NAME, SCHOOL NAME, and GRADE LEVEL on top of the first page of answers.
4. All grading will be anonymous.
5. Answers should not exceed 800 words.
6. Contestants must select ONLY ONE of the three questions to answer.
7. Answers must be sent electronically to [email protected]
8. Submission deadline is Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:55 pm.
9. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Directions:

Write an answer to ONE of the following topics:

1. All three Abrahamic faiths regard Jerusalem highly, thus resulting in many controversies over the years. The status of Jerusalem is still very controversial and has affected millions of Palestinians and Muslims worldwide. How has Jerusalem shaped the current Palestinian struggle and how do you think it will influence the future of the cause?
2. Seventy percent of the Palestinian people do not live in historic Palestine. For nearly 65 years they have been living away from their homeland in societies that have forced them to adopt a different lifestyle. In your opinion, how important is it to keep the Palestinian culture alive? And what do you recommend Palestinians living away from Palestine do to preserve their culture and identity?
3. Over the past several decades, pro-Palestinian activism has gone from small, local protests to nationwide, university activities. Yet, there is still much work remaining for the Palestinian cause to get the attention it deserves. As a student, what can be done by young, Palestine solidarity activists to ensure that the cause of Palestine grows and moves forward for your generation and others to come?