YES, YOU CAN COME!

AS millions of viewers switch on their sets to watch the 44th presidential inauguration on television, two young students from Bahrain will experience the event first hand.

Serena Mujtaba, head girl of St Christopher’s School, and her older brother Faraz Mujtaba, a former pupil and now studying at Kings College in England, will attend the historic oath-taking of the first black president of the United States of America – Barack Obama, left.

They will travel to Washington DC in January to take part in a five-day Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC) that culminates with the presidential swearing in and a black tie gala inaugural ball.

“I feel really honoured to be a part of such a historic event. My brother received his invitation to the Presidential Inauguration in May and I was very excited for him. Later in June I received mine which came as a complete surprise!” said Serena, 17, a final year A-level student at St Christopher’s in Isa Town, delighted at receiving her official blue and gold envelope enclosing her invitation and itinerary.

Faraz and Serena, from Sehla, have been invited to PYIC by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), an independent education organisation based in the US. 

PYIC is held once every four years – corresponding with the presidential oath-taking – and provides the participants the opportunity to share the excitement of the presidential inaugural celebrations. 

At the conference, the participants through regular interactive meetings with leading historians, political experts and decision-makers gain a deeper understanding of the US electoral process.

The keynote speakers at the conference will be Al Gore, former US vice-president, top office contender and Nobel prize winner and General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State. 

“Faraz and Serena’s invitation to this prestigious event is a by-product of a leadership programme, Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC), that they attended in Vienna last year,” said proud dad, Nadeem Mujtaba, managing director of Gulf Ventures Corporation.

Brother and sister Faraz and Serena Mujtaba are members of the Alumna of Global Young Leaders Conference and will be honoured with other participants as distinguished young leaders and scholars attending the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference in Washington DC.

Both Faraz and Serena – who have a British mother and a Pakistani father – were delighted about Obama’s election victory. “My preference was Obama, not because of his race or background. The first time I really appreciated his views was over a year ago when there was a big debate between the presidential candidates on CNN. He was the only one who appeared the most human and honest about his views regardless of what the initial reaction might be,” said Faraz, 19, talking to GulfWeekly from London.

“I’m a Computer Science student and therefore a very Internet-orientated person. This also had a big influence on my preference.

“Many social news websites are run by young adults my age and is a good source of realistic views and opinions. The number of people that were pro-Obama was simply astounding.

“Many of the young adults openly admit that they would never even bother voting if there wasn’t someone as ‘refreshing’ as Obama to really bring about a change. This social influence defiantly cemented my views that Obama inspired a much younger generation than his opponent John McCain in particular.”

Serena, who plans to study architecture in future, said: “I don’t understand politics. It is not my country and not my politics but I was following the US elections because of Barack Obama and the fact that I would be going to the Presidential Inauguration irrespective of who won.

“When I went to school on the morning of November 6, I had a smile on my face because Barack Obama had won. Now attending the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference will become that much more special because of him.”

Although Serena will miss a week of her crucial school year and will have to sit for one of her modular exams at a later date she says that the school is supportive of her decision to attend the event as it will be an experience of a lifetime.

She explained: “My whole idea is to go with an open mind and meet new people. “My subjects in school don’t correspond with politics and history and I’m not going to be headstrong about a certain issue but take in the entire experience.

“It will be surreal, an escape from the real world and walk down the corridors of power. Just to be able to go to places that one wouldn’t normally be allowed to visit. I think that the experience will be totally life changing.” 

“I am particularly looking forward to some of the speakers, specifically Colin Powell. He is one of the most respected Americans both inside the states and internationally,” Faraz added.

The duo’s parents, Nadeem and Janet, have been instrumental in providing opportunities for their children to develop their personalities on a more global scale.

“I think education is more than a technical aspect and they need to build their capabilities as citizens of the world and enrich themselves as a human being,” said Mr Mujtaba. “Attending the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference will be very special. If it were up to me, I would push them aside and go to the Presidential Inauguration and experience it myself but unfortunately I cannot do that! Instead my wife and I will be the flag-wavers as we will not be allowed to go where Serena and Faraz will be taken but we are accompanying them to Washington DC to enjoy the atmosphere.” 

It’s going to be a whirlwind trip for both youngsters fuelled with adrenaline, tight schedules and strict security. Apart from attending workshops and lectures, Faraz and Serena after attending the oath taking ceremony on the morning of January 20 will later witness the inaugural parade when the president and vice-president elect along with their families will proceed from the Capitol Hill to the White House.

A fitting end to the Inauguration Day and the Presidential Inaugural Youth Conference (PYIC) will be the black tie gala dinner to celebrate the election of a new president to the White House.

“We have to buy a ball gown for Serena and a black tie for Faraz – a first for both of them!” said mum Janet, who is trying to organise the entire trip so that her children can savour the experience to the full.