Imagine an organization that aims to be a "cultural gateway" celebrating the community by paying tribute to one of the greatest symbols of mankind's heritage; a scholar whose work highlighted the relationship between culture and environment.
Imagine that this takes place at a prestigious academic institution committed to faculty diversity and to teaching and research of global issues; and imagine that the institution is located in the most global city in the world!
That is exactly what took place as the Tunisian Community Center celebrated its 10th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of the Ibn Khaldun Award on Saturday May 23, 2009 at Columbia University in New York City...Imagine that.
The event drew a capacity crowd of guests from all corners of the United States and from Tunisia. The annual event honored Mr Jomaa BenHassine for both his personal achievements and his outstanding service to the Tunisian American Community, exemplifying the spirit of kinship and solidarity of Ibn Khaldun.
Advisory Board chairman Sami Guedoir kicked off the evening by announcing the fact that our organization had secured a Congressional Statement officially endorsing May 27 (Ibn Khaldun's birthday) as the "Tunisian American Day".
The announcement was followed by the presentation of commemorative medals to the Ibn Khaldun Award founding sponsors as well as to two distinguished guests who
Then there was the dedication ceremony of a life size bronze bust sculpture of Ibn Khaldun. The magnificent art piece was commissioned by the Tunisian Community Center and created by world renowned sculptor Patrick Morelli. Taking part in the unveiling were, in addition to Mr Morelli, H.E. Habib Mansour, ambassador of Tunisia to the US, Ali Khemili (Organizing Director of TCC) and Dr Guillermo Linares (Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs).
After that, the guests were treated to a showing of a synopsis of the movie "Abderrahman Ibn Khaldoun" (Nasr Art Production), an exquisite representation of the great scholar's political life and his intellectual versatility.
Following the movie, Tunisian Student Federation President Seif Kobrosly presented the inaugural "AboulKacem Chebbi Student of the Year" certificate. Launched in 2008, the program recognizes students for their academic achievement and commitment to excellence, and for having demonstrated a high level of effort to promote the Tunisian culture at their campuses. This year's honoree was Meriem Ben-Salah, president of the Tunisian Student Club at The University of California at Berkeley.
After that, it was time for the 2009 Ibn Khaldun honoree's introduction. That was done by the most appropriate person in the audience: Miss Wafa Ben-Hassine president of the Tunisian Student Club at the University of California in San Diego, and who happens to be the daughter of none other than our honoree.
The formal portion of the event ended by "a call to action" keynote address by James R. Phippard (2008 Ibn Khaldun awardee) and an inspiring speech by Ambassador Habib Mansour.
The entertainment segment of the evening started with a dazzling belly dance performance by the beautiful and talented Julia Drake. After that the guests filled up the dance floor as Riad El Tunsi entertained them with their favorite Tunisian songs.
Deserving of our thanks are all those who helped make the 5th Ibn Khaldun Award Hafla a stunning success: , Columbia University's Jeimy Batista and Liane Runco, chef Radhouane Matmati, and Patrick Morelli who donated his time to ensure the sculpture dedication was the class act that it was, and worthy of IbnKhaldun. The entire TCC team should be recognized for a job well done with special mention for two individuals in particular: Raouf Khelil for having been the major founding sponsor of the Ibn Khaldun Award program, and Mabrouk Adel Boudaga for having recruited the most members in 2009.
Thanks, of course, go to all the fantastic guests for making "The Tunisian American Day-2009" such a wonderful success, and we know that you all left feeling proud of our community's accomplishments, inspired by our honoree, uplifted by Ibn Khaldun's spirit and with a heightened cultural awareness.
We hope you mark your calendars to take part in the next Tunisian American Day on May 29, 2010. We look forward to your continued support and friendship.
