KARAMAH Announces First-Ever
" Liberty for All" Essay Contest
Students Offer Ideas for Improving
Religious and Civil Freedoms Where They Live

(Washington, D.C., November 10, 2009): KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights is pleased to announce the first-ever “Liberty for All” Essay Contest, offering students an opportunity to compete for $1,000, $500 and $250 awards as they suggest the best ideas for addressing religious and civil freedoms for all women in their communities.

“The right to civil and religious freedoms is set forth in constitutional and international human rights law,” said Dr. Azizah al-Hibri, President of KARAMAH. “This contest will encourage students to play an important role in strengthening this liberty while offering solutions for social problems where they live.”

The essay asks college and graduate students in the United States and abroad to explore what ordinary citizens can do on the grassroots level to advance religious and civil rights for all women. Finalists will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of professors, lawyers and community leaders.

The contest has been developed to:

• Help students better understand religious freedom - its history and current significance;
• Encourage students and young adults to explore their own religious and civic rights and responsibilities; and
• Provide incentives for today’s youth to develop new methods for addressing social problems in their communities and advancing the rights of all women where they live.