The Arabic Recitation Contest at BAU The Job Market The Hopes of Youth and the Pains of Reality

Unemployment, the problems of the job-market, and the concerns of Lebanese students and youth, were some of the prominent topics at the Arabic Recitation Contest organized by Beirut Arab University for the seventh consecutive year. The Contest was entitled “The Job-Market: The Hopes of Youth and the Pains of Reality”, and was held at Beirut campus on the 2nd of April, 2014. The event hosted eighteen contestants from 10 Lebanese universities: Beirut Arab University, the Lebanese University, the Antoinine University, the Balamand University, Notre-Dame University, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, St. Joseph University, Al- Jinan University and Sagesse University. The aim was to encourage students to use Arabic as a mother language, both in writing and in speech. 

The Jury this year consisted of the contemporary Artist Mr. Jihad Al Atrash, Journalist and Academic Mr. Bassam Barak, and Journalist Mrs. Najat Sharafeddine, and was attended by Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of the University, Prof. Dr. Essam Osman, Vice-President for Medical Sciences, Mr. Issam Houri, BAU Secretary General, deans of faculties, staff-members, Mrs. Zina Ariss, Director of Public Relations Administration, in addition to the parents of the competing students and a crowd of interested people.

After the Lebanese National Anthem and the BAU Anthem were played, Mrs. Abeer Ghazal gave an opening speech in which she pointed out that unemployment is the foremost source of anxiety for Lebanese youth as soon as they set foot into a university. She called upon the contestants to express these concerns eloquently, highlighting that the high rates of unemployment are an embodiment of the pain that supersedes the hope that may be heard between the lines.

Prof. Dr. Amr Galal El Adawi then gave a word in which he linked between the competition and the University’s keenness on enlivening the Arabic language and urging the youth to use it amidst the challenges of globalization. He pointed out that most young people rely upon foreign languages, and use Latin letters in their messages. Prof. El Adawi called upon education institutions to establish new and developed plans and mechanisms towards the preservation of Arabic.

After Prof. El Adawi’s speech, the contestants delivered their speeches that ranged from hope to pain, focusing on the concerns and ideas that preoccupy them as they enroll at universities, as they decide on a major, and when they are ready to enter the job-market.

The results were, then, announced. The first place was won by Reine Zahreddine from the Notre-Dame University; she won $3000.-. The second place was split into half between  Mohieddine El Hamesh from BAU and Majd Bou Mjahed from the Antonine University; for each winner received $1000.-. The third place was won by Stefanie Feghali from USEK; for the amount of $1000.-. 

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and Medals of Appreciation to all contestants in acknowledgement of their contribution to the preservation of the Arabic language. The President of BAU also presented shields of appreciation to the members of the jury.