The Tunisian Community Center celebrated the 2005 Ibn Khaldun Award at the American University in Washington-DC on Saturday May 28, 2005. That year's honoree was Sociology Professor, Dr Mounira M. Charrad (from the University of Texas at Austin), a most suitable recipient of an inaugural Award named after the Father of Sociology. In addition, Dr Charrad's Book "States and Women's Rights" does honor the intellectual legacy of Ibn Khaldoun. The Book is considered by many, all over the World, as an original contribution in gender studies, and a scholarly analysis of kinship, family law and women's rights in the Maghreb.

The Hafla was a sold out event. The attendees who came from, literally, all four corners of The United States, enjoyed a great dinner and danced to live Tunisian Music performances. Earlier in the evening, the Organization inaugurated the "Tunisian Day in America" tradition. Later on, the guests were dazzled by Berkeley's Dr Larry Michalak's introduction of the awardee, by Dr. Charrad's heart-stirring acceptance remarks , and by the magnificent Keynote address given by H.E. Mohamed Nejib Hachana, Ambassador of Tunisia to the United States.

Our gratitude goes to the following 2005 Hafla Underwriters: GoldStar Fragrances, Provident Title, TriPlanet Partners, VivoSites, and the Embassy of Tunisia. The Ibn Khaldun Award steering committee, also, acknowledges the generous contributions of the Program's Founding Sponsors: Lydia BenFrej, Jomaa BenHassine, Hazem Bennaceur, Marouan Bouchnak, Meriem Chared, Mohamed-Ali Hammi, Mohsen Jouini, Raouf Khelil, Ali Khemili, and Mona Sarrai.