Eighteen-year-old Jasmine Ouaida is engaged in a myriad of activities despite currently studying for a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in youth work. She has achieved more than many others have done in a life time.
Ouaida recalled that being selected as the 2009 Moreland Young Citizen of the Year was the most inspiring and amazing experience of her life. She recalled:
“The ceremony was held on Australia Day and the atmosphere was magical. The venue was filled with a spectacular range of different people from all around the world who were there to become Australian citizens. I saw it as a symbol of hope.”
Ouaida was chosen for this award because of her involvement in a number of public speaking programs, leadership courses, environmental projects, and her work with Victorian Youth Parliament which included an intensive training weekend where Quaida and the other participants debated issues of importance to them in Parliament House.
The participants were required to outline an issue, and to provide solutions. Ouaida spoke on the inhumane treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, using the examples of Australians, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib. Another reason behind her receiving the award was her participation in the annual Lion’s Youth of the Year Quest where she was interviewed by a panel of judges and presented two speeches to an audience.
Ouaida won the Best Speaker of the Night award.Moreover, her determination to qualify herself as a gym instructor, along with her desire to use her education and skills to develop her community, strengthened her nomination for Young Citizen of the Year. Furthermore, her initiation of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign which she started on her Face Book, encouraging participants to wear pink hijab on October 29 to show solidarity with women suffering from this disease world-wide, helped convince judges that she was worthy of this award.
Ouaida believes that being a Muslim is something to be proud of, and she advises Muslim youth to explore their Islamic identity. She said:
“It may feel as though you are struggling, and leading a double life in terms of trying to fit in with your peers and life at home with your family, but you have to persevere. This is our struggle in the West. Have dreams and aspirations to better yourself and do whatever it takes to attain them by working hard. You are only ever given one life on this earth. Live a full life, but never lose sight of Paradise. Be strong and surround yourself with good people who love and respect you, and remember that whenever you feel lonely and misunderstood, all you need to do is remember that Almighty Allah is always there and all you need to do is ask Him for help.”
