Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research is excited to announce the 2020-2021 recipients of the Malcolm X Vanguards of Justice Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes members that made outstanding contributions to their community through service inspired by the legacy of a champion of social justice, El Hajj Malik Shabbaz Malcolm X.
The awardees serve as role models who strive to establish social justice, work for positive change in their community, and make the world a better place by contributing expertise where it is needed locally. Each recipient will receive $2,000 to put towards their studies or student debt. Applicants were required to be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies or be a graduate with student debt, maintain a 3.0 GPA or above, and display commitment to community service and social justice.
2020-2021 Awardees:
Asia Tamaami
University of Washington
Asia Tamaami is a master’s student at the University of Washington where she earned the Wells Fargo Vice President’s Award for her academic excellence, community service, and leadership. She is also the president of the Pre-Law Black Student Association and volunteered internationally with Habitat for Humanity. Having worked with marginalized communities, including Syrian refugees, she is committed to supporting community-driven development that promotes growth and ensures equitable access to human rights.
Sherif Abdel Wahab
Rutgers School of Medicine
Sherif Abdel Wahab, JD is currently a medical student at Rutgers School of Medicine. Sherif worked in a medical clinic at the Moria Refugee Camp while advocating to secure greater protections for unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers. Having witnessed the public health disparities between communities, Sherif worked with the Director of the HEAL Collaborative, a joint venture between Rutgers Law School and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, to develop a class entitled “Public Health and Social Justice”.
Noshin Hoque
Columbia University
Noshin Hoque is a graduate student at Columbia University. As an Intern at the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work Policy (CRISP), she lobbies for progressive bills focused on housing, disaster relief, and voting rights. Her passion for social justice propels her to help others, from starting the National Association of Social Work – New York City Chapter, to organizing strikes and movements to empower minorities.
Asiya Cummings
University of Chicago
Asiya Cummings studies comparative human development in the University of Chicago. She co-founded “Books on the Block”, a free community library in South Chicago located near a mosque, advocating for Black literacy and diversity in art and media. Devoted to her community, she also founded Camp Care, which provides access to extracurricular activities for young people.
Gufran Taha
University of Texas at Arlington
Gufran Taha, a student at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a deep passion to serve the homeless and underserved communities. While distributing food in a local soup kitchen, Gufran saw the need to hold a resume workshop and gather funding for laptops and printers to assist applicants to secure jobs and encourage self-sufficiency
