GLOBAL CREATIVE STORYTELLING CONTEST 2025

“How the Faith of the People of Gaza Has Made Me a Better Muslim”

In conjunction with Ihsan Academy of Texas, Glowing Olive Press is honored to present a Creative Storytelling Contest open to ages 7-16 that calls for participants the world over to tell their unique stories of how witnessing the unrelenting faith and resilience of the People of Gaza has transformed their own relationship with Islam (in its understanding, practice, or both). Participants may choose from several possible forms of storytelling that can be captured on paper, including but not limited to creative writing (short story, poetry, essay, article, script), and graphic/visual/illustrative art (drawing, painting, collage, photography). Regardless of the form of storytelling, the entry itself must clearly communicate the participant’s unique story of how their own understanding and practice of Islam has changed as a result of experiencing the Islam of the people of Gaza.

Entries will be judged based upon originality of thought, depth of reflection, clarity of depiction, and proficiency of storytelling method.

Contest Categories: Budding Storytellers (Ages 7-11) | Veteran Storytellers (12-16)

Contest Duration: June 15, 2025 - July 15, 2025

Deadline: All Entries must be timestamped by July 15, 12 AM CST

Announcement of Winners: Three winners from each category will be awarded prizes (see below for details). Winners will be announced on August 1, 2025 on this page and @ihsanacademyoftexas Facebook page.

Guidelines for Entries

  • - Entries must be the original work of the participant and must not have been previously published (blogs, social media posts and any online appearances are considered previously published works).

  • - Must be in English.

  • -Digital media with audio/video elements will not be accepted as these cannot be captured in print.

  • -This contest seeks to honor and extend gratitude to the People of Gaza for the gift of faith they have bestowed to people the world over. Entries outside the scope of the topic and spirit of this contest will not be accepted for the purposes of this contest.

Submission Guidelines

  • Once an entry is ready to be submitted, participants must send an email to info@glowingolivepress.com with the Subject Line “Creative Storytelling Contest Submission”. A Submission Form will be emailed back to the participant.

  • There is no entry free for submissions. Only one submission per participant will be accepted.

  • Each eligible submission must have TWO components:

    • The Entry itself uploaded as a PDF file

    • A short written paragraph describing how the chosen form of storytelling tells the participant’s unique story.

Have a unique idea for telling your story but not sure if it would abide by the contest guidelines? No worries, just contact us, we will be happy to assist you.

Awards & Prizes

Budding Storytellers (Ages 7-11)

First Prize: USD $100

Second Prize: USD $75

Third Prize: USD $50

Veteran Storytellers (Ages 12-16)

First Prize: USD $100

Second Prize: USD $75

Third Prize: USD $50

All Winning Entries will be published and shared for the viewing pleasure of a worldwide audience. It is our sincere prayer that the eyes of our Brothers, Sisters, and Children of Gaza get to see the beautiful entries and the ways in which they have inspired faith in hearts across the world, with the Mercy and Wisdom of Allah (swt). Allahumma Ameen.

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