2018-2019 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to MALA’s 2018-2019 Scholarship Recipients! We are proud to share their amazing stories here in honor of their achievement. See the official recipients announcement page here.

Sarah Al Shahad: The War

Sarah is a recipient of the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship Fund. Given in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program, this scholarship recognizes compassionate and ambitious individuals who are committed to strengthening and serving their communities through cultural engagement, inclusive discourse, and progressive thought. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. Being in a […]

Semira Ahemed: Triple Identity

Semira is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here.  My parents wanted a son as their first child and fortunately for one week, their […]

Somaya Albadani: Roots to Success

Is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here.  A family trip to Yemen was exactly what my dad thought we needed to keep in […]

Hassan Aboud: Opportunity From the Other Side

Hassan is a recipient of the 2019 Khan Memorial Fund Scholarship. Given in conjunction with the MALA Scholarship Program, the Khan Memorial fund awards scholarships to rising leaders who demonstrate bravery, integrity, and compassion in storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here. When I first walked off the plane and entered the […]

Zahra Memon: Bridging the Gap Between Two Worlds: Deaf and Hearing

Is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here. “Hey, Papa, when is Ahmed coming home?” “Later,” my father said, his voice uneasy. “Can I […]

Faiza Mah: Fear of Death

Faiza is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here.  “I won’t leave you alone; hold my hand,” Bushra said in an unsettling tone. I […]

Rawan Alzubaidi: Six Countries, One Person

Rawan is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program. In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here. It was dark inside and outside, the electricity used to go at least 5 hours […]

Zuhair Imaduddin: Freedom as a Muslim American

Zuhair is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here.  After my brothers and I were tired of being chased by waves crashing on the […]

Razan Mikdashi: Lebanese-American Grown

Is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship opportunities, click here. I remember my mother clenching her jaw as she accepted primitive condolences when announcing she was […]

Tahrim Imon: A Piece of the American Mosaic

Tahrim is a recipient of the 2018-2019 MALA Scholarship Program.  In accordance with MALA’s mission, this program awards scholarships to individuals demonstrate ambition, integrity, and leadership through the art of storytelling. To learn more about MALA’s Scholarship Opportunities, click here.  The cold breeze of December races outside, banging against the windows, and droplets of snow […]