My greatest passion as a journalist is finding gaps and filling them, and one of the gaps that has always existed in media, especially American media, is good stories about Muslim communities…”
Alaa Elassar
2019 & 2020 Scholarship Recipient
Current role: Writer at CNN
The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) develops the next generation of American Muslim leaders. ISF’s alums work in media, journalism, film, public interest law, and public policy to build political power and shape our narrative.
Partner With Us
Invest in the future and develop leaders.
Our Values
Why?
We believe that religion, culture, and race should not be barriers to equity and equality. All people should be treated with dignity and respect, and the voice of every citizen plays an integral role in creating inclusive communities that encourage participation by all.
What?
ISF offers access and professional development opportunities to emerging social justice leaders in the realms of public interest law, public policy, film, and media.
How?
We offer a unique incubator model that provides funding, mentorship, and career counseling, as well as real-world, professional experience through internships and fellowships.
2023 In Review
85
Total awards
42
Scholarships
13
Film and media grants
17
Internships/ Fellowships
13
Professional development stipends
Of the 42 scholarships in 2023:
Ph.D.: 5
Law: 13
Masters: 15
Undergraduate: 9
Public Policy
Supporting individuals pursuing government and public policy careers ensures diverse representation in politics and equitable policies.
10
In 2023, ISF placed 10 aspiring policymakers into internships on Capitol Hill.
ISF placed a fellow in a 9-month program with Rep. Ilhan Omar. After concluding her fellowship, she was offered a full-time position in the office of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
You have American mainstream politics, community organizing, film, advocacy, journalism — that is every pillar of American civic change. You don’t just have one tool in the toolbox — you can’t just fix it within the system, you have to work outside of it, you have to portray it, you have to lobby it, you have to represent it. Every single person has the ability to make a difference.”
Antonio López
2017 & 2023 Scholarship Recipient
Current role: Mayor, City of East Palo Alto
Public Interest Law
Supporting law students pursuing public interest law is critical as it ensures equitable access to legal representation and promotes diversity in courts.
In 2023, in addition to 13 academic scholarships, we…
…awarded 3 bar scholarships to graduating law students who were preparing for the state bar exam. All three passed the bar exam in the same year.
…placed four Muslim judicial interns with state and federal judges to give them access to the judicial system.
My journey to law school was motivated through the burning passion to be able to uplift the voices of the Muslim community, through the field of civil rights. To be the face of Muslim representation in the legal field in a time when we really do need it, and to uphold and protect the rights that all of us so deserve.”
2022 Scholarship Recipient
Current role: J.D. Candidate
Film
Supporting aspiring filmmakers through ISF’s film vertical is essential as it fosters diverse representation and ensures marginalized voices are heard in the film industry.
$65,000
We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the film grant and awarded 7 grants, totaling $65,000.
It is only through owning our own narratives, unapologetically, accepting ourselves as we are, as Muslim Americans, that we will begin to bring power to our communities.”
Colette Ghunim
2022 Film Grant Recipient
Current role: Filmmaker
Media
Supporting aspiring journalists and writers through ISF’s media vertical promotes diverse representation and ensures equitable access to the media landscape.
Alum Careers
CBS News
CNN
The Guardian
NBC News
Politico
PBS NewsHour
US News and World Report
Al Jazeera
2023 Program Sponsors
Abdul Sattar Rydhan Memorial Scholarship
Afshin Riaz Future Leaders Scholarship
Afzal Family Foundation
Amana Mutual Funds
Ayub Kundi Foundation
Capitol Area Muslim Bar Association
Chicago Muslim Bar Association
David Dobbins Memorial Scholarship
Doris Duke Foundation
Dr. Rahbar Scholarship
Dr. Alassar Family Scholarship
El Hibri Foundation
F. Basma Scholarship
Fikry and Dorria Fahmy Memorial Scholarship
Foundation for Intelligent Giving (FIG)
Ghulam and Arifa Azad Family Scholarship
Goats Foundation
Guillen-Omar Family
Hasan-Brown Family
Hashmi Family
Hina (Fakhera) Sherwani Memorial Scholarship
Hussain Family
Kosar and Javed Mohammed Media Scholarship
Linda Sarsour Courage and Leadership Scholarship
Mahmoud Abdelmageed Memorial Scholarship
Makhraj Endowed Scholarship
Muhammad Kulsum Zikar Scholarship
Muslim Bar Association of New York (MuBANY)
Muslim Women Giving Circle
National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML)
Omar Sultan
Palo Alto Network Group
Rahmatara Begum Scholarship
Seham Elasmar Memorial Scholarship
Shahin-Fatemeh Scholarship
Shazi Iqbal
Shohoud Family
Shireen Abu Akleh Memorial Scholarship
Syed / Hijazi Family
Syed Shaukat Husain Memorial Scholarship
Syeda Zehra Batool Jafri Scholarship
Tarek Al Kadri, Social Justice Leadership Scholarship by MLFA
UC Irvine Muslim Alumni Scholarship
WF Fund
Zehra Attari Memorial Scholarship
Partner With Us
Invest in the future and develop leaders.
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