After months of diligent planning, the Tunisian Community Center hosted on May 27, 2006 in Washington-DC, its second annual Ibn Khaldun Award Hafla, at the American University where a full capacity crowd (that came from, literally, all four corners of The United States) was in attendance.

The Couscous was superb and the service was great (we are grateful to Faouzi Bouarrouj who facilitated the catering operation with Habib Gharbi of Savio's Restaurant). The evening was further made wonderful by Khaled Beldi who delighted the guests with his smooth Tunisian accompanying music, and the whole  program was seamless thanks to the charisma and quick wit of our MC, Hedi BenAbdallah (of Idylwood Restaurant).

When the Hafla came to an end, the guests left with memories of made or renewed friendships. They, also, left with great memories of: an inspiring keynote address by H.E. Ambassador Hachana, of a heart-stirring speech by Mrs Khadija Mellouli, of an outstanding presentation (UGA-TN Partnership) by Dr Takoi K. Hamrita, and of captivating words about the legacy of Ibn Khaldun from Dr Mounira M. Charrad who  eloquently  re-prescribed "Al-Asabya" to the audience, the way she had done in her Book (States and Women's Rights).

 The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the second annual Ibn Khaldun Award to this year's honoree, Olympian champion and USC (Los Angeles) student Oussama mellouli 

who charmed the audience by what he refered to as "Hollywoodish" acceptance remarks. People (mostly young women and teenage girls in their beautiful evening dresses) lined up to have their pictures taken with the handsome athlete, and to have him autograph his picture for them. In brief, the 22-year-old proved that "youth is not wasted on the young"!

During their stay in Washington-DC, Oussama Mellouli and his mother Khadija (who made the special trip from Tunisia just for the Event, accompanied by her two other sons and the technical director of the Tunisian Swim Federation), were treated to VIP airport tranfers by Airport Connection limo service, and to guided city tours by High Limousine.

This year's Hafla had a special meaning because 2006, marks the 600th anniversary of Ibn Khaldun's death and the 50th anniversary of Tunisia's independence.