LOS ANGELES: Takreem America, the USA offshoot of the Middle East and North Africa region-based Takreem Foundation, concluded in a ceremony held in Los Angeles last night its second Annual Weekend to celebrate success and foster connection in the Arab community.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an evening of remarkable people who have decided to make a change, to trigger a difference, and to inspire other people,鈥� said Ricardo Karem, Takreem America founder and board chairman.

鈥淚 believe that people will leave here happy with what they will see.鈥�

The event comprises Takreem鈥檚 annual Awards Night and Takminds seminar series, both of which recognize the contributions of the Arab world and distinguished Arab diaspora voices in the fields of science, social activism, the arts and more.

鈥淭hat they value what I do means that those are their values,鈥� Dr. Adah Almutairi said after receiving the Scientific and Technological Achievement award.

The associate professor of nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego continued: 鈥淭hey believe in science, engineering and technology and the value it brings to human civilization.鈥�

It 鈥渋s super important that the 鈥楳o鈥� series on Netflix has been honored,鈥� said series director and Special Distinction Laureate Solvan 鈥淪lick鈥� Naim.

鈥淚t is recognized for what Palestinian refugees are going through鈥nd this is just one story, Mo Amer鈥檚 story of how he had to assimilate in Houston, Texas.鈥�

While Takreem America aims to create year-round connections, the Annual Weekend is intended to be a gathering place for those interactions, with the Takminds seminars fostering important dialogues to improve the community and broader world.

鈥淵ou can just sit down for a couple of hours and get an idea of what people are aspiring to. It is in itself inspiring,鈥� said activist Peggy Bedoyian.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important not just to have it here in the US. It鈥檚 important to have it everywhere and鈥ather people together with different thoughts,鈥� she added.