Student Winners
Reem Kirja
Student at Northwest Junior High
“Abd el-Kader taught me that not all warriors cause bloodshed and not all scholars are passive. He directed me to believe they can be combined into a single being, and Abd el-Kader stands as an example of this. He represented a gallant and intelligent hero who cared about his people rather than his power.”
Shreya Joshi
Student at Valley High School
“If we want to strive for unity, then we must not be tolerant of our diversity, but instead accept it. Accept our differences, and realize there is more than one right answer. Try not to passively put up with others, but instead embrace them. If we all treat everyone as human beings and demonstrate the courage to accept them, then we all have a chance to right the world’s wrongs, create ethical solutions for global problems, and continue the Emir’s legacy.”
Mayada Alwan
Student at Valley High School
“I believe that if [Abd el-Kader] were more celebrated and spoken about, especially here in America, he could help with the plight that many Muslims growing up in the West face with their faith and give them a chance to exist as three dimensional beings, rather than harmful stereotypes.”
Educator Winner
Kathryn Cooper
Educator at Northview Middle School
Kathy used the AEP Middle School Curriculum, From Jerusalem to Elkader, to create a series of EdPuzzles for students in the Extended Learning Program.