The dawn heralds another gorgeous day in Sharm El Sheikh. The tropical fish are waking up, the reef squid are doing their morning exercises, the giant clams are rinsing with mouthwash, and almost everything is as it has been since time immemorial. Yet something is different today.
There cannot be meetings without partings, an old proverb says. Nevertheless it is hard to accept that today is the end of MELA 2. Eleven days (which earlier seemed to be an unfathomably long block of time to spend at a workshop) have simply sped by.
Omar Samra, founder and CEO of Wild Guanabana, is also the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest. He deeply impresses the audience with his account of tenacity and purpose in conquering the world's highest peak; and he shares his ambition now to climb the tallest mountain on each continent.
When Omar has finished with mountains, he can start crossing deserts. Abdullah knows a good one he can try, back home in Saudi Arabia.
"You must be Omar Samra!"
Posing with the famous mountaineer.
Posing with the famous facilitator: Rany, Nader and Mustafa with Dan.
Tariq, Hania, Yasser, Hanna
Jim discusses the power of MELA as a cooperation platform and network for its members. That power is multiplied by its affiliation with similar, parallel networks: the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF) and the Central Eurasia Leadership Academy (CELA).
Everyone has his or her own, private Everest. Bill and Adam battle with technology in preparation for the afternoon session.
GRADUATION AND INDUCTION CEREMONIES
Participants are awarded a certificate of completion for the MELA Academy, and are inducted as members into MELA as a regional network organization.
Mohammad, in his capacity as the afternoon's master of ceremonies, invites the unfailingly colorful and characterful Cinderella to the stage.
Habib and Khalifa share first names, ties, and smiles.
On stage with Nabil Alyousuf, Randi enjoys the audience's approbation of her creative mind and dancing talent.
Nabil presents Khalid his graduation certificate.
Mohannad's enthusiasm is infectious.
Basel addresses some personal words to his new MELA family.
Nazem's lapel is decorated with a MELA badge -- much better than a Legion of Honor rosette!
Abdullah Riri receives his MELA bag from Tory.
At Tariq's insistence, the MELA facilitators and office staff are brought to their feet to receive the plaudits of the room. Tory, Ginny, Susan Sutterfield.
Thomas, Elizabeth, Andrew, John.
Rita outshines even the limelight.
Nader is warmly embraced by all his MELA peers.
Basma not only receives her certificate from Nabil, but is welcomed as a colleague by the MELA Board Chairman. She has been elected to the Board by her classmates as one of the representatives from MELA 2.
Peter is the other new Board member. Sincerest congratulations to both of you!
Susan Simons, Tom and Meade sport the team colors of Breakout Group Three. They are already getting nostalgic.
The impresarios of MELA: well-deserved hugs for Steven and Ginny for all their efforts towards the success of the program.
The maestros of MELA: Jim and Bill.
It has been an extraordinary eleven days, replete with challenges and adventures of the mind and spirit, spent in the company of the most humblingly, upliftingly brilliant group of friends that anyone could wish for.
The geniuses of MELA -- the beating heart of the organization. As the living, breathing embodiment of all that is most promising and inspiring about the Middle East today, we salute the members of MELA 2 and sadly wish them goodbye -- at least until our next meeting, !إن شاء الله
