Culture & Education | Sunday 20 December, 2015 3:50 am |

 The 6th annual conference of Dar Al-Hekma Model United Nations (DAHMUN) themed “The light of Justice: A Glowing Torch or Burnt-Out Flame?” came to an end last week. It concluded with a splendid closing ceremony at Dar Al-Hekma (DAH) University’s auditorium.

Huda Abdul Wahid, undersecretary for substantive content and correspondence, delivered the opening appreciative message.

Rabeeah Al-Nadwi, vice-undersecretary for substantive content and webmaster, and Wahid expressed their gratitude to the 260 student delegates who made DAHMUN a memorable learning experience. “Believe in yourself, as you are the ambassadors of change,” Wahid told the student delegates.

Wahid wholeheartedly thanked adviser and founder of DAHMUN Dr. Chaman Rahim without whose continuous support and motivation the conference would not have been possible.

Rahim valued the participants, congratulated the winners and appreciated the secretariat for their hard work in making DAHMUN a success. She hoped that every participant has gained useful knowledge that can be practically implemented.

“Two days later, we hope that you are leaving DAH only to come back with new perspective and deeper understanding of the challenges we face in our field,” said Rahim.

She added: “We are also leaving you with a better understanding of a range of tools and services available to us and some practical solutions that can be adapted and implemented. We will continue to build upon the discussion we have initiated, the partnership we have cemented, and relationship we have formed even in today’s interconnected world. There is nothing as powerful as to face interaction. I have no doubt that knowledge you have gained here at DAH and contacts you have made will help make an impact.”

Duaa Amr, undersecretary for operations, appreciated and recognized the efforts of the operation team. She announced the winner of a talent show, which was held a day prior to the closing ceremony. Delegates from International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) were pronounced the winners.

Rahim and Muntaha Syed, secretary-general, presented certificates to the best delegates and those worthy of honorable mention.

Amna Azam Ali, who represented France, was the best delegate from the General Assembly. “It was an overwhelming experience with chairs and delegates, and everything was memorable. I got to learn the insights of Africa. I feel as if I actually did something to contribute to the world,” she said.

Imama Aleem, who was part of the General Assembly and was noted as an honorable mention, said: “DAHMUN was an educational experience. It helped broaden my perspective of the world. Though I was aware of the African nations’ problems, representing the world’s poorest country allowed me a chance to view it through the eyes of a policymaker. To be honest, this experience helped strengthen my resolve and desire to bring about a positive change in the world.”

Alya Alangari from the General Assembly also received a honorable mention.
In the World Health Organization (WHO) committee, Tayyba Baig bagged the best delegate award, and Iman Aqeel Khan and Hatoon Muhammad were given honorable mentions.

In the Human Rights Council, Lujain Jan was declared the best delegate, and Amal Fazal and Rabiya Saman were noted as honorable mentions. In the historical cabinet, Lyn Hajjer received the best delegate award, and Noreen Shah and Haneen Khadawardi got honorable mentions. In the ECOSOC, the best delegate award went to Leena Saleh, and Marlyn Susan George and Haneen Al-Dabbagh received honorable mentions.

Chairs and co-chairs of each committee were also recognized and awarded by Rahim and Syed. The highly anticipated moment during the award ceremony was the announcement of the best delegation. The audience erupted in joy as IISJ and DAH were jointly chosen as the best delegations.

Zehra Abdul Aleem, a delegate from IISJ, said: “It was a great learning experience and I am proud of my school and fellow delegates. I am grateful to my teachers, vice principal and headmistress for giving us this opportunity.”

Ashraf-un-Nisa and Nishat Javed, advisers of MUN to IISJ, jointly stated that they were proud of their girls. “It is because of their hard work that they have won at DAHMUN.”

On behalf of DAH, Dr. Sana Askool, dean of students, spoke a few words.

The ceremony came to an end with Syed delivering the closing remarks, leaving the audience spellbound as she quoted one of Mother Terrassa’s inspiring quotes that embodied the guidelines for tomorrow’s leaders.
At DAHMUN’s opening ceremony, Amanul Haq, head of Peace, Security and Mediation Unit at Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), was the keynote speaker. Haq advised and encouraged the potential student leaders. Rahim and Askool presented Haq with a memento.