We are pleased to announce the Recipients of the 2025 Imam's Generational Scholarship Fund!

Sohaila Abdelkader

Having received her early education at Al-Azhar Islamic Schools in Egypt, Sohaila Abdelkader developed a strong foundation in Islamic studies before moving to the United States to further her education. She graduated with highest honors from Rutgers University–Newark with a bachelor's degree in biology and the intention to pursue a career in the healthcare field. This fall, she will begin her first year of optometry school at Midwestern University in Illinois.

During her undergraduate years, she worked as a substitute teacher with students from pre-K through high school. She also assisted at her local masjid's Sunday school, helping students recite Quran with tajweed. Sohaila is deeply grateful to have received the scholarship and especially thankful for her parents' constant du‘aa and endless support. She remains committed to seeking knowledge and staying actively involved in her community.

​Rahmat Adesokan

​Rahmat Adesokan is a passionate and driven nursing student dedicated to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. With a strong foundation in science and a deep sense of compassion, he is committed to providing high-quality patient care and advocating for health equity. Rahmat is known for his excellent time management, teamwork, and communication skills, which have contributed to his academic success and leadership roles. He founded a Muslim Student Organization to foster inclusivity and support on campus. Outside the classroom, Rahmat is dedicated to health and fitness, reflecting his belief in holistic wellness. His curiosity and commitment to learning are evident in his continued pursuit of knowledge through hands-on experience and professional development. Rahmat aspires to become a nurse who not only treats illness but also empowers patients and communities through education and empathy.

Dihyah Adib

Dihyah Adib is a Muslim and aspiring Electrical Engineering student at Hofstra University, born in 2005. He has a strong passion for coding, robotics, and creative problem-solving, often merging his technical skills with a desire to serve a greater purpose. Dihyah is especially committed to building projects that benefit the ummah, such as Islamic apps and efficient backend systems. His work is driven by a deep love for his faith, family, and friends. With a compassionate spirit and a focus on innovation, Dihyah strives to create solutions that ultimately protect, sustain, and bring peace to the communities that inspire him.

Nael Atasoy

Nael Atasoy will be studying Mechanical Engineering at the University at Buffalo. He is from NY and has a Turkish background. Nael is known for being hardworking, curious, and kind. He enjoys learning new things and helping others whenever he can. Outside of school, he plays soccer, goes to the gym, and enjoys video games. In his free time, Nael also volunteers at Islamic events and mentors younger kids in his community. He is organized and motivated, and he's excited to begin college and try new experiences both in and out the classroom. Nael has a strong interest in how things work and wants to make a positive difference in the world. He looks forward to the challenges of studying engineering and hopes to grow both as a student and as a person.

Jana Bahloul

Jana Bahloul is an Egyptian-American raised in Tennessee. She will be attending Belmont University's Watkins College of Art with a major in Art Education in the Fall of 2025. Jana has always had a passion for art and enjoys working with children. She hopes to utilize her art degree to become an elementary art teacher one day. 

Jana is deeply honored and grateful, and is committed to using this opportunity to grow, give back to her community and pursue her goals with purpose and determination. She would like to thank the committee for believing in her potential and investing in her future. She plans to carry this encouragement with her throughout her journey, and one day hopes to give her students the same support that she has received.  Jana feels that education is very important and scholarships like the Imam's Generational Scholarship aids in making education accessible to many.

Rawda Elbatrawish

Rawda Elbatrawish is an incoming sophomore at Rutgers University in New Brunswick majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience and Biology. She is an active Emergency Medical Technician, a Quran Teacher at her local Mosque teaching Quran to both kids and starting a Quran class for reverts, a former Taekwondo Instructor and blackbelt for an all-girls Taekwondo, and an active member of her local YM. She completed memorization of the Quran in 3 years becoming a Hafiza at age 13, she has entered many Quran competitions taking a place in all of them and even being recognized as Top 20 in an International Competition. Elbatrawish has been awarded a Youth Leadership in Excellence award by the Teaneck International Film Festival, the NJ Hometown Hero award from the U.S House of Reps, the Mathew Feldman award from her town council, as well as the most prestigious award of her high school, the Plaque award.

Mohamed Irhabi

Mohamed Irhabi is a Biology major at Lamar University with a Pre-Medical concentration and a strong interest in both medicine and community leadership. He’s a David J. Beck Fellow, JAMP Scholar, and LU Ambassador, currently conducting medical research with Weill Cornell Medicine and an intern at Baylor College of Medicine. Outside of academics, Mohamed is deeply involved in faith-based leadership and community service. He serves as the Outreach Officer for his university’s MSA, a Core Member and Director’s Assistant with Young Muslims (YM), and the Lead Youth Coordinator at Al-Ansar Mosque, where he regularly organizes programs for youth engagement. In May 2025, he received his Ijaza in Quran memorization. Mohamed is passionate about both science and service and hopes to use his journey in medicine to give back insh'Allah.

Zulkarnejn Kunic

Zulkarnejn Kunic is a dedicated and compassionate nursing student with a strong interest in cardiovascular and critical care nursing. He successfully has completed clinical rotations in Med-Surg at Mercy and Cardiac Stepdown at St. Luke’s, where he gained hands-on experience in patient assessment, clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Fluent in Bosnian, Zulkarnejn values effective communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity in healthcare settings. At the age of 12, he became a Hafiz of the Quran, an accomplishment that reflects his discipline, dedication, and deep connection to his faith. In addition to his nursing education, he has been actively involved in his community, serving as a youth leader and Islamic Studies teacher for several years. Zulkarnejn is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and is eager to continue learning, growing, and making a meaningful impact in the nursing profession.

​Afeefah Mangera

Afeefah Mangera is a student at Western Governors University, pursuing a degree in Elementary and K–12 Special Education.
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From a young age, Afeefah learned the importance of sincerity, service and striving for the sake of Allah.
By the grace of Allah, she completed her Hifdh while excelling as a dual-enrolled student, graduating top of her class, and delivering the commencement speech. She is actively involved in community programs and passionate about creating inclusive educational spaces. Afeefah is committed to serving children, especially with special needs, who are often overlooked in both secular and Islamic education. She hopes to bridge that gap by combining her background in Islamic studies with her professional training.

Aspiring to become an educator and Islamic scholar, InshaAllah, Afeefah seeks to build environments where all children can thrive academically and spiritually.

Inspired by her parents' example, she is devoted to uplifting communities with sincerity, compassion, and purpose.

Hanaan Noorani

Hanaan Noorani immigrated to the United States in 2016 and has faced many challenges since with perseverance and faith. Adjusting to a new country at a young age proved to be difficult, but Hanaan remained steadfast in prioritizing both her deen and education. Coming from a family that deeply values knowledge and service, she has always strived to excel academically while remaining grounded in her Islamic identity. Through volunteering, teaching, and involvement in her local Muslim community, Hanaan works to help others and give back to the community in meaningful ways. Currently pursuing her education at Florida Atlantic University, she hopes to continue working hard each day for a better future, to encourage those who come after her.

Fatma Okan

Fatma Okan is in her final year of the General Science program at the University of Laurier. She has a strong passion for science and a deep interest in helping others, which has led her to pursue a career in dentistry. Over the years, Fatma has demonstrated hard work, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. This scholarship holds great meaning for her, as it not only supports her academic journey but also brings her one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a dentist. Working in a dental office has given her valuable experience and further confirmed her interest in the field. Fatma is grateful for the recognition and support this scholarship provides. It motivates her to keep striving toward her goals, give back to her community, and contribute to healthcare with compassion and knowledge. She looks forward to the opportunities ahead with determination.

Mohammed Hamza Vohra

Hamza completed his memorization of the Qur'an from Markaz Khalid bin Walid, Sharjah, UAE. 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 traveled to Cairo, Egypt where he earned Ijazah in Qur'anic recitation, and completed the year-long course in Arabic at al-Tibyan Center for Arabic studies. He then spent the next five years studying in the blessed city of Madinah, at the University of Madinah, where he earned a B.A. in Islamic Jurisprudence. Hamza also earned a M.A. in Arabic from Middlebury College in Vermont, USA. He currently serves as President and Imam of Masjid Samiya in Connecticut and is pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.