AHSMAL Conference, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, February 22-23, 2019

The Arkansas High School Model Arab League (AHSMAL) conference was held at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on Feb. 22-23, 2019.  A total of 176 students from 10 different high schools participated in the conference.  Participants were addressed by Chancellor Andrew Rogerson of the UA-Little Rock and the Imam, Dr. Mahmoud Hassan E. Hassanein, from the Islamic Center at the opening session.  In addition, Mariam Bouzihay, a UA-Little Rock senior psychology student from Jonesboro, discussed her fellowship experience in Qatar where she learned about the country’s culture, society, and economics, as well as government priorities, concerns, and needs as pertaining to Qatari-U.S. relations. On Saturday morning, the students worked together to respond to a crisis in the Arab world. Speaking at the closing session, Dr. Christopher Williams discussed identity, migration, and a changing Europe.  Among the participants of the 2019 AHSMAL conference were 14 students from Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The students, which represented Sudan and Mauritania, included Anna Dennis who won a Distinguished Delegate award and Eleanora Lawrence who won a Chair’s Choice award.