Skills on poster

They just had two days, these nine young national students. And they were going to compete against nine commercial organisations. But they did not panic, nor did they give up. They simply worked together, on the best of professional commercial software, and created their posters. And were amply rewarded.

The organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Qur'an Award recognised the talent, skill and imagination of these students. When it finally chose the poster that would represent and highlight the award, they decided on a design created by Maha Sultan Majid Saif, a level 5 graphic arts student of the Sharjah Women's College, Higher Colleges of Technology.

This poster is now everywhere and with its images it carries the name of Maha and the college to all countries included within the award. For Maha, this is a particularly proud moment. "I am very happy that my design has been chosen. This has given me the confidence to face the outside world," she says.

"As a college, it was one of our proudest moments when we learnt Maha's design had been chosen. This is our first graduating graphic arts class and the fact they have been able to achieve this is very gratifying," underlines Dr Farid Ohan, director, Sharjah Women's College, Higher Colleges of Technology.

"It also demonstrates that the young people of this country can do anything, given the chance. I'm particularly happy that a young, national woman from Umm Al Quwain has achieved this," he adds.

The committee was so impressed with even the other seven designs the college submitted – all created under the guidance of teacher Susan de Guzman – that they are contemplating using one of them for the next year's awards, he discloses, pointing out that the graphic arts students are quite used to being singled out. "Last year, our level 2 graphic arts students won the first, second and third prizes in the Red Crescent Society's international poster competition highlighting blood donation. Also last year, our students represented the UAE in creating a logo for the International Work Skills Organisation's conference."

Winning poster

The Dubai International Holy Qur'an Award's organising committee was clear in its brief to the students. The poster had to incorporate a text, names and logos of sponsors and had to emphasise the fact this was an international award. The students were also shown some posters used earlier.

The winning poster incorporates a deliberately diffused image of the Holy Quran, explains Abbas Darwish, supervisor, graphic arts. "Maha took a digital photograph of an open Holy Qur'an and then used Photoshop to modify the picture."

Four rays of light emanate from the Holy Quran, explains Maha, cutting through a softened and stylised logo of the award. "These rays symbolise the knowledge that is open to everyone and that has spread to all parts of the world," she details.

In other words, defines Dr Ohan: "Maha has captured the true message of the Holy Qur'an and the inclusiveness of Islam."