Muslim American College Scholarships Project

In September 2018, MALA launched its “Muslim American Journeys” Scholarship competition for the second year in a row!

This competition is open to young storytellers who are seeking higher education as a means to build stronger communities, cultivate diverse perspectives, and enact positive change. This scholarship aims to empower rising leaders to pursue these objectives, while continuing to shape the diverse fabric of American society. And even as academic choices expand, higher education remains the preeminent tool for empowering new generations of leaders and changemakers.

As part of its scholarship competition, MALA also launched the Fawaz Kannout Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Fawaz, who passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with cancer. This fund will ensure the continuation of Dr. Fawaz’s legacy by providing opportunities for young leaders to engage with the arts and with cultural initiatives.

MALA is accepting applications from US residents with a story to share! Storytellers must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in (or planning to attend in the next year) a college or university in the United States. Undergraduates at two-year and four-year institutions, and graduate students, are all welcome.

MALA will award a $1,000 grand prize, a $500 second prize, and five third-place prizes of $300 each. And MALA will share as many of these personal journeys as possible in its digital “Muslim American Journeys” story collection, so it is a great opportunity for storytellers to be published.

To apply, applicants submit a short essay (600-1000 words), accompanied by a headshot, describing their individual journey under one of the following themes:

• Identity: How do you choose to define yourself? Tell us a story of an experience that influenced your individual identity journey. How has your identity evolved?
• Freedom: How do you navigate America’s open society with its inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Tell us a story of what freedom means to you.
• Immigration: What did you leave behind when you came to America? How you are seizing opportunities to live in freedom in America? Tell us a story!

Essays will be judged on:

• Literary Quality—grammar, syntax, general flow and quality of writing
• Connection to Essay Prompts—How does the essay address the prompt(s) listed above?
• Voice—Does the story bring a unique and thoughtful voice to the MALA Story Collection?
• Relevance to MALA’s Mission—Does the essay embody MALA’s mission and values?

The deadline is January 18, 2019, and winners will be announced by March 1, 2019.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.malanational.org/mala-scholarship-program/

Links:

• "Muslim American Journeys" Scholarship Competition is Open!