We are pleased to announce the Recipients of the 2022 Imam's Generational Scholarship Fund!

Zaynab Adesokan is an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. She is currently studying Human Development and Family Sciences, concentrating on personal and family relationships. She is primarily interested in studies and organizations that focus on community outreach and development amongst marginalized groups. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school and earning a master’s in clinical psychology. After completing school and becoming a licensed therapist, she hopes to one day open her own practice where she can focus more on community outreach and the mental and physical development of the youth in her community and other marginalized groups.

Junayed Ahmed grew up in NYC and completed his memorization of the Quran there and studied the Alimiyah program there as well in Darul Uloom NY. After that, he completed his undergraduate degree from the Islamic University of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia in 2018, and since then has been an Imam and a teacher in Jamaica Muslim Center, NY. Throughout his years of community engagement, he noticed a common trend related to mental illnesses, especially in the youth of the Muslim community. He is now a student at the University of Buffalo pursuing a BSN in nursing and then to pursue psychiatric-mental health nursing and plans to serve the Muslim community in the future by being an Imam and a medical practitioner serving those who quietly suffer from mental illnesses.

Maryam Arab is an upcoming graduate student pursuing a master's degree in public policy. Being the oldest female from a immigrant family from Somalia, Maryam has had many familial and educational responsibilities. During her undergrad, she served as a peer mentor at Metropolitan State University's TRIO program, a legislative specialist for Students United (an organization focused on representing students in higher education), and a cenus and voter engagement intern for Ramsey County. Throughout these experiences, Maryam has always been able to manage her time, complete tasks at a high level, and achieve high grades. Maryam's biggest take away from these experiences is the importance of providing high quality service to diverse populations. She currently serves as an Elections Assistant Intern at Ramsey County and a Communications Director for Muslim American Society. In the future, she hopes to become a Policy Analyst and work on social and climate justice.

Saarah Baig is a junior at George Mason University (GMU) pursuing a bachelor's degree in Government and International Politics with a minor in Religious Studies. She has a passion for people-centered policies and the ways in which religion has shaped America's current political landscape. This past year, Saarah worked as an undergraduate research assistant analyzing political polarization in America and its effects on children. In the coming year, she will be the co-leader of GMU's Society for the Study of Religion. Outside of school, Saarah works at the McLean Islamic Center as an administrator for their Sunday school program. Much like her father, Imam Naeem Baig, she has a passion for social justice, interfaith work, and outreach. With her degree, Saarah aspires to work in advocacy in hopes of providing her own community as well as other groups with a voice in the American government.

Salsabil Gehan is a mother of two and an incoming first-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She completed her B.S in Biological Sciences and B.A in History at the University of California, Irvine in 2016, and an MS in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh in 2021. In the last few years, she served as a Clinical Research Assistant at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, and as an Outpatient Clinical Corrdinator at HOPE TEAM clinic at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. Currently, she is a Research Coordinator at Western Psychiatric Hospital working with youth at clinical high risk for developing psychosis. Coming from a Muslim background, Salsabil also grew up involved in her Muslim community working mainly with Muslim Youth and college students. Salsabil is passionate about working with youth and underserved populations and is looking forward to making a difference in the field of Medicine.

Salimah Hagmagid is from Sterling, Virginia and is a second-year student at the University of Virginia. She is majoring in English Literature and creative writing. Her and her four sisters were raised as a part of an active and vibrant Muslim community that inspired them to value service and companionship. Prior to attending UVA, she completed her high school education at The Madeira School. She plans to use her degree to continue writing and publishing poetry as well as short stories, novels and plays, and to pursue teaching. Aside from writing, Salimah enjoys theatre, studying Islamic Studies, art and fashion design.

​Mubasheer Joban was born in Olympia, Washington, the older of twins. At a young age of 12 years old, he was able to memorize the entire Quran under the guidance of his beloved father, Imam Mohamad Joban. In 2021, he received his Associates degree in Arts and Sciences from Bellevue College through the Running Start program whilst graduating from Eastlake High School. Currently, he is pursuing Business at the University of Washington and is the Dawah Coordinator of their MSA. He is also an Executive and Knowledge Team member of Indonesian Muslim Society in America (IMSA) youth. Mubasheer also lives a very active lifestyle and especially enjoys going hiking and playing soccer as he was also the captain of his premier club team.

Hassaan Karim was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. As the son of the Imam, he has been greatly involved in the activities of his masjid, even from a young age. At the age of 11, he traveled to his home country of Pakistan, in an effort to memorize the Holy Quran. After two years of dedicated work and studying, he was eager to return home as a Hafizul Quran, Alhamdulillah. Upon his return he began leading the Taraweh prayers alongside his father and has continued leading Taraweh for the past nine years. Currently he is a student at St. John's University where he is enrolled in a 6-year program, studying to become a pharmacist InshaAllah. This coming September, he will be entering his 5th year of the program. Please make dua that Allah SWT increase him in knowledge and ability and grant him success. Ameen.

Saniya Karim is a twenty-year-old aspiring educator. She is currently enrolled in a four-year English Bachelor’s degree program in which she is in her senior year. Saniya is a longtime member of the Westchester Muslim Center in Westchester New York. She is also an alumni and volunteer at the Center’s full-time and Sunday schools. This experience has made her a fantastic help in the classroom and a great support for students, colleagues, and other members. As the daughter of the center’s Imam, Saniya aspires to implement the same leadership qualities to achieve her goal of being a positive Islamic influence and role model for Muslim youth. Driven by her position in the center, Saniya is committed to contributing to the success and prosperity of her community. In addition, she is actively involved in creating a muslim interest group at her college, to create a resource for incoming and current muslim students.

Maulānā Yasar Khan was raised in Paterson, NJ. He attained impressive accolades from a young age, including being President of his high school Class of 2013, President of Future Business Leaders of America, and the President of the National Honor Society, among numerous other achievements. Despite a bright future in secular studies, he declined many prestigious scholarships and universities to enroll in Jamia Al-Husnain to master Islamic sciences. He then completed his studies at Darus-Salam Seminary, where he studied the six major books of Hadith. He joined Jamia Falah-id-Darain/ICC in 2019 as a teacher and Dean of Student Affairs. After two years of serving the community and teaching, Maulānā Yasar traveled to Turkey for Takhassus(Specialization) in Seerah-an-Nabawiyyah. Upon returning to America, he enrolled in the Chicago Theology Seminary and Bayan Islamic Graduate School, working towards his Master's in Education, and started Ihya Foundation to provide Islamic education opportunities to all.

Ronny Samra is a Syrian-American from Miami, FL. He grew up in Miami up until the age of 9, when his family moved back to Syria and stayed there for six years. While there, he witnessed the beginning of the Syrian Civil War and he witnessed the aid doctors were able to provide during this time which inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He is now a fourth year medical student at the University of Florida. His current interests within medicine include general surgery and public health. He hopes to integrate the tenets of his faith such as thoughtfulness, generosity, and reliability in his future career.

As a devout Muslim, faith has played a pivotal role in Mohammed Hamza Vohra life in providing him solace and direction. Yet, he unraveled quite early on: Surface-level knowledge of faith is often insufficient. For that reason, after his undergraduate degree, he decided to deepen his understanding of Allah and to truly connect with his Creator. He traveled to the Middle East for six years to study Islam and to unlock the classical works of scholars and predecessors of the Islamic faith. As a recently appointed faith leader however, he has recognized how severely the community suffers from mental health issues and illnesses, yet the type of assistance that the community seeks is not readily available. Although religion and spirituality can be an incredible remedy, knowledge of the psychotherapy approaches are essential in systematic treatment. Through his education he hopes to provide Islamically integrated psychotherapy to the very underserved Muslim-American population.