We are pleased to announce the Recipients of the 2023 Imam's Generational Scholarship Fund!

Reem Alhalhali was born in Brooklyn, New York, and Alhamdullilah was very fortunate to be able to go to Islamic schools her entire life and was taught from a young age to put her religion and academics above all else. She moved to Houston when she was nine years old, and although the change was initially hard, she was able to attain the Islamic community she previously missed and was able to become a Hafiz with the help of Allah and her parents. She moved to Austin seven years later, for her sister to pursue her education at one of the Nation's best universities where she would soon join. Inshalllah, she will continue to pursue her education and Deen amidst all the change and challenges of the Dunya, prioritizing it as the main aspect of her life.

Abdulrhman Altabaa is an ambitious student and Senator at Texas Tech University. He is currently pursuing a degree in microbiology. As a dedicated member of his community, Abdulrhman is passionate about serving as a volunteer at his Islamic Sunday School and leading the TTU Muslim Student Association. Beyond his undergraduate pursuits, Abdulrhman is committed to pursuing a career in medicine. After completing his degree, he plans to attend medical school and work tirelessly to become a doctor. With a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a meaningful impact, Abdulrhman is determined to establish his own practice that is dedicated to community healthcare and the mental and physical development of the youth in his community. Overall, Abdulrhman's passion for learning, serving others, and making a difference in his community make him a shining example of what it means to be a dedicated student and community member.

Maryam Arab is an upcoming second year MPP student at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Administration. She is from St. Paul, Minnesota and received a bachelor's degree in Sociology. At the Trachtenberg school, she would like to concentrate in Social Policy with a focus on wealth and income inequality. During her first year at Trachtenberg, Maryam was a legislative intern at the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. She also worked as a Student Administrative Assistant for the Trachtenberg School. Throughout these experiences, Maryam has always been able to manage her time, complete tasks at a high level, and achieve high grades. Her biggest take away from these experiences is the importance of providing high quality service to diverse populations.

With an unyielding passion for knowledge, this exceptional individual will graduate from The Woodlands High School in 2023, having earned the TWHS Academic Letter for three consecutive years. Their love for learning extends to their faith, demonstrated by achievements in Quran competitions, including first place in the 2022 Canada Hira' National Ramadan Quran Competition. As an Imam at Mosque Al-Ansar, they lead prayers and educate worshippers on Islamic topics.
Apart from their academic and religious accomplishments, they contribute to their community through extensive volunteer work in diverse organizations. Their professional experience encompasses roles as a Math Instructor, Journalism Intern, and Private Math Tutor, and they hold CPR AED certification.
Fluent in English and Arabic, this well-rounded individual's dedication to academics, faith, and community service positions them to make a significant impact on the world, introducing Mohamed Irhabi.
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Ruqayyah Lunat is an attendee at Zaytuna College, where she is pursuing a Liberal arts and Islamic studies degree. She has a vivacious passion for reading, writing, learning, and teaching. Having always held an active role in her local madrassah, she witnessed the dire need for an increase of established Islamic institutions. However, the first step is to solidify one's own knowledge. Ruqayyah chose to attend Zaytuna not only for her personal betterment but also so that she may repay the communities that have imparted so much upon her. After graduating she hopes to pursue a career where she can cater to and advocate for all those succeeding her.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Zainab Onafowokan is a Muslim born immigrant. She moved to the United States at the age of 3. Growing up, Zainab had a strong passion for academic. She has found herself in roles, which has shaped her into a better leader. From National honors society, National English honors society, National technical honors society, French honors society, Student government association, senior council, debate & speech, key club, Mayor's youth corps, and Mayor's youth leadership council. Zainab is a leader. She takes charge when needed and helps guide others. Growing up as a woman, Muslim, immigrant, and African in America, she understands the importance of that. Having experienced first hand sexism, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and many more, Zainab will bring diversity in opinions, and solutions to the world.

Kinza Rashid is in her third year at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a BS in Computer Engineering with a minor in Intelligent Robotics Systems. She is the sixth of nine children and grew up in a family committed to serving fellow citizens, Muslims, and the needy. She is currently enjoying her Quran memorization journey, taking Islamic classes, teaching Sunday School, creating art and animations, baking goodies for family and friends, and practicing kickboxing. She is passionate about using her technical knowledge to develop programs and applications to benefit youth, creating opportunities for them to grow stronger in their faith, skills, and character. After all, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said that "The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character" (Sahih Al-Bukhari). The "best manners and character" are something which she hopes to achieve while also helping others to do the same.

Sufia Rashid is a senior at the University of Florida, pursuing a BS in Computer Science. Her love of Allah SWT, family, community service, and her art are integral pieces of who she is and are elements that she hopes to incorporate into her work. She has brainstormed numerous ideas about the why’s, what’s, and how’s of creating halal, intellectually stimulating, exciting digital content and programs that will appeal to youth who already spend hundreds of hours engaging with socially and spiritually irresponsible videogames, etc. She is the fifth of nine children and has spent hundreds of hours working with local youth, and even more hours on developing her artistry in multiple mediums. She is hopeful that her experience as a conscientious hafiza and daughter of an aalim will mesh with her experience as an American-kid-turned-Computer-Scientist to create something unique and halal for youth to enjoy.

Baqir Shah has been a dedicated, studious, and motivated individual from a very young age. Born and raised in Houston, Tx, most of Baqir’s educational career occurred in his hometown. In 12th grade, he completed both his memorization of the Qur’ān alongside obtaining his diploma for High School. After graduating, he dedicated himself full-time to studying the traditional Islamic sciences at Falah Seminary located in Centerville, Ohio. After four years of rigorous study, Baqir furthered his educational path by spending a semester under the tutelage of esteemed scholars in Istanbul, Türkiye. Upon his return, he was admitted to both the Qalam Seminary in Dallas, Tx and Bayan Institute (Chicago) where he currently focuses on higher-level academic studies in the traditional and professional arena. Baqir currently works as a part-time Imām at the Islamic Association of Fort Worth while conducting various Friday sermons throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Hamza Soboh is a 16-year-old rising junior at UCLA. He graduated from Fullerton College with 3 degrees, an AA in Economics, an AS in Mathematics, and an AS in Interdisciplinary Studies, and is currently pursuing a BA in Economics. Hamza is the founder and manager of the Youth Leadership Initiative, a program that develops the leadership and social skills of young Muslim men, giving them the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow, as well as the founder and president of Sweet Smiles T1D Foundation, a type 1 diabetes nonprofit organization. During his time at Fullerton College, he served as the president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Kappa Tau chapter, competed as part of the top community college Lincoln-Douglas debate team in the country and served as the Inter-Club Council Representative for the Fullerton College Speech and Debate club. In the future, he plans to go to law school and work as a lawyer while continuing to play an active role in his community.

Maryam Subedar is beyond grateful for receiving an award from the renowned CICW Foundation. Maryam will be studying Business at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, with a specialization in Marketing and Business Administration. This generous donation will heavily assist her on her journey through college, and the subsequent steps towards adulthood. Maryam currently owns her own small business for natural lip glosses, Daisy Gloss. After graduating from UNT, she plans on opening an official cosmetics brand, engaging in humanitarian outreach projects for Muslims globally, and traveling across the world, In-Sha-Allah. May Allah (SBH) bless her efforts, grant her plentiful hasanat and success, and continue to guide her throughout her lifetime.

Hamza Vohra completed his memorization of the Qur'an from Markaz Khalid bin Walid in Sharjah, UAE at the age of 11. He is a graduate from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in biology and a minor in psychology. Upon completing his undergraduate education, Hamza decided to deepen his understanding of the Islamic sciences. He initially traveled to Amman, Alexandria, and Cairo where he earned 'ijazaat in Quran and studied various qira'at. He then completed a year-long course in Arabic at al-Tibyan Center for Arabic studies in Cairo. Hamza eventually went on to spend the next five years studying in the blessed city of Madinah, at the University of Madinah, where he graduated from the faculty of shari'ah (Islamic Jurisprudence). Hamza also earned a M.A. in Arabic from Middlebury College in Vermont. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in clinical psychology and serves as an Imam in Connecticut.