COMMUNITY MATTERS Scholarship Benefits the Children of Islamic Workers The Sterling Charitable Gift Fund and Amana Mutual Fund, along with the UIF-Corporation and Shenandoah University’s Center for Islam in the Contemporary World, have joined hands to offer 10 “Imam Generational Scholarships.” Worth $5,000 each per year and administered by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, these scholarships are dedicated to the children of imams, chaplain and Islamic workers. Students can apply for the annually renewable scholarships of up to $5,000. A minimum of ten scholarships will be awarded each grant cycle for the fall semester. The checks will be sent directly to the chosen university’s financial aid office. Imams, associate or assistant imams and/ or chaplains serve their communities and mosques/centers as spiritual guides, counselors, advisors, consultants and even problem solvers. But while the community appreciates their dedication, distinction and friendship in this regard, its limited resources mean that these valued employees don’t receive fair market salaries. As a result, they are hard-pressed to save or pay their children’s expensive college or university tuition fees. This is a sad reality facing our community leaders and their children. Both the application and list of requirements and criteria are available at https://www. myuif.com/imam-generational-scholarship/. If you have any questions, please contact us at imamscholarship@gmail.com. ih
The Zakat Foundation Supports Fellowship in Muslim Philanthropy
Amir Pasic
Shariq Siddiqui
The Zakat Foundation Institute (ZFI; http://zfinstitute.co/), in collaboration with IUPUI’s The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, located at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (LFSP), launched an 18-month Fellowship in Muslim philanthropic and humanitarian studies that will begin in the fall 2020 semester. During this period, students will earn a graduate certificate in philanthropic studies by taking two LFSP graduate courses per semester. They will also receive ZFI’s Graduate Certificate in Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies. All required courses may be completed online. “I am thrilled that our Muslim Philanthropy Initiative has this opportunity to collaborate with the Zakat Foundation to bring this terrific opportunity to students
14 ISLAMIC HORIZONS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
who are passionate about making a difference in their communities,” said Amir Pasic, the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. Up to 10 students admitted to the school’s graduate certificate or its MA in Philanthropic Studies degree program will be considered for the fellowship. Priority will be given to displaced people, refugees and/or volunteers or nonprofit sector employees. Shariq Siddiqui, director of the initiative and an assistant professor of philanthropic studies at the school, said “This program lifts up those [Muslim] communities by providing them the tools to navigate their challenges through the philanthropic and nonprofit sector.” “The professionalization of the Muslim nonprofit and humanitarian sector is a critical need of the moment,” said Rasheed Ahmed, director of ZFI. “What better way to meet that need than to partner with the first school of philanthropy in the world?” Prospective students interested in applying for the ZFI Fellowship may contact Luke Bickel (lbickel@iupui.edu). ih
