Maryam Hasna Maznavi, a dynamic and passionate force for good, left this world on April 2, 2025. Her friends and family established this memorial scholarship in her honor to support an aspiring filmmaker committed to her vision of increasing understanding of Muslims and other underrepresented communities through the arts.

Born on October 2, 1985, in Long Beach, California, Hasna was raised in Southern California and known for her work as a comedy writer, director and performer. As a committed Muslim woman artist, she dedicated herself to breaking down barriers and creating spaces for understanding through her authentic portrayal of Islam, Muslims, and other historically marginalized communities. She earned her MFA in Film & TV Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and her BA in Art and Mass Communications from UC Berkeley.

In a diverse creative career, Hasna worked as a Writing and Director’s Assistant for Dugan O’Neal, as a freelance screenwriter for Independent Films, a comedy writer producing short films for Spiritclips from Hallmark, and a director and producer of content for CreatorUp. Hasna was also a stand-up comedian and a visual artist whose paintings celebrated God and encouraged resistance to discrimination and whose murals were commissioned by private businesses.

In 2014, Hasna founded and became the President of The Women’s Mosque of America, the first women-led Muslim house of worship in the United States. Through her leadership and vision, she advocated for the empowerment of women and became a powerful voice in the Muslim community, inspiring many with her commitment to peace, justice, and equality. In 2018, Hasna was named as one of CNN’s 25 influential American Muslims.

Hasna is survived by her parents, Dr. Muhammad Haniffa Maznavi and Feroza Maznavi, her brothers Riyad and Khalid, her sister Nura, six beloved nieces and nephews, and her cats, Tina and Nina. Hasna’s legacy is one of creativity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to fostering unity across diverse communities.