MSA National Scholarship

MSA National is proud to currently offer two distinguished scholarships

 

 

 

 


The Spring 2013 Application is now OPEN!!!

“M. Naziruddin Ali’s tireless service to the organization was very crucial during the birth and growth of ISNA. His commitment was unwavering and he withstood all that came with this experience.”
Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, National Director, ISNA Office of Interfaith and Community Initiatives.

A pioneer of Islamic activism in the United States, M. Naziruddin Ali’s exemplary dedication to the Muslim American community is illustrated by his lifelong association with MSA National, Islamic Society of North America, and North American Islamic Trust. Beginning as local MSA chapter president at the Illinois Institute of Technology and having chaired numerous MSA annual conferences, he subsequently served as president of MSA National for two terms. During his time as president, he was integral in facilitating the establishment of the Islamic Society of North America. Thereafter, he served as General Manager of NAIT for twenty years. His tireless service, sincerity, and unwavering commitment proved to be crucial in the birth and development of each of these organizations.

M. Naziruddin Ali lived by his conviction of striving for excellence through dedication and perseverance in all aspects of his life. He applied this conviction to his educational pursuits, being an accomplished student himself, and was supportive of other students in pursuing academic excellence and achievement as well. He believed that as Muslims, students had the obligation to not only excel in education, but also to carry the responsibility of being of service to the community. Hence, this distinguished award reflects M. Naziruddin Ali’s legacy of commitment to academic excellence and service to the American Muslim community as well as the greater community at large.

1st Place: $2,000

2nd Place: $1,000

Dedicated to the study of the American Muslim Society, Islamic Community Activism, and core values of the Islamic family.

Among the founders of the modern Islamic movement in the United States, Ilyas Ba-Yunus, Ph.D., was one of the original students from 13 MSA chapters that formed the MSA of US & Canada in 1963. He served MSA in various capacities, including as Vice President and then President from 1969-1970. His academic study of Sociology, with a focus on Muslim society, framed him as the father of Islamic Sociology. Committed to the development and strengthening of the Muslim Community in the US and Canada, Dr. Ba-Yunus first proposed the concept of a community-based organization, which directly led to the formation of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and he was elected as ISNA’s first President.

Dr. Ba-Yunus’s pioneering work in Islamic Sociology not only led to the formation of ISNA, but a number of ISNA projects, most prominantly the ISNA Matrimonial Referral Service, the first and only significant attempt to promote harmonius and successful marriages in the face of increasing divorce rates within the Muslim community in North America. He also championed the cause of North American Muslim demographics, completing the first-ever comprehensive estimation of Muslims in the United States, incorporating detailed information including religious practices. He served as the President of the Islamic Media Foundation, received the ISNA Community Service Award in 2005, and was a member of the ISNA Majlis as Shura until his passing in 2007. This scholarship honors Dr. Ba-Yunus’s dedication to the unity of the North American Muslim community, his constant efforts to improve the Muslim family, and his commitment to strengthening the relative position of Muslims in North America.

1st Place: $2,000

2nd Place: $1,000

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FAQs

  • What is the M. Naziruddin Ali Award for Excellence?

    The M. Naziruddin Ali Award for Excellence provides national recognition and financial support for students who exhibit outstanding academic strength as well as exceptional service to Muslims and the American and Canadian community at large. In his honor, scholarships will be awarded to students who exhibit qualities of his exceptional legacy in the amounts of $2,000, and $1,000.

  • Who was M Naziruddin Ali?

    A pioneer of Islamic activism in the United States, M. Naziruddin Ali’s exemplary dedication to the Muslim American community is illustrated by his lifelong association with MSA National, Islamic Society of North America, and North American Islamic Trust. Beginning as local MSA chapter president at the Illinois Institute of Technology and having chaired numerous MSA annual conferences, he subsequently served as president of MSA National for two terms. During his time as president, he was integral in facilitating the establishment of the Islamic Society of North America. Thereafter, he served as General Manager of NAIT for twenty years. His tireless service, sincerity, and unwavering commitment proved to be crucial in the birth and development of each of these organizations.

    M. Naziruddin Ali lived by his conviction of striving for excellence through dedication and perseverance in all aspects of his life. He applied this conviction to his educational pursuits, being an accomplished student himself, and was supportive of other students in pursuing academic excellence and achievement as well. He believed that as Muslims, students had the obligation to not only excel in education, but also to carry the responsibility of being of service to the community. Hence, this distinguished award reflects M. Naziruddin Ali’s legacy of commitment to academic excellence and service to the North American Muslim community as well as the greater community at large.

  • What is the Ilyas Ba-Yunus Memorial Scholarship?

    The M. Naziruddin Ali Award for Excellence provides national recognition and financial support for students who exhibit outstanding academic strength as well as exceptional service to Muslims and the American and Canadian community at large. In his honor, scholarships will be awarded to students who exhibit qualities of his exceptional legacy in the amounts of $2,000, and $1,000.

  • Who was Ilyas Ba-Yunus?

    Among the founders of the modern Islamic movement in the United States, Ilyas Ba-Yunus, Ph.D., was one of the original students from 13 MSA chapters that formed the MSA of US & Canada in 1963. He served MSA in various capacities, including as Vice President and then President from 1969-1970. His academic study of Sociology, with a focus on Muslim society, framed him as the father of Islamic Sociology. Committed to the development and strengthening of the Muslim Community in the US and Canada, Dr. Ba-Yunus first proposed the concept of a community-based organization, which directly led to the formation of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and he was elected as ISNA’s first President.

    Dr. Ba-Yunus’s pioneering work in Islamic Sociology not only led to the formation of ISNA, but a number of ISNA projects, most prominantly the ISNA Matrimonial Referral Service, the first and only significant attempt to promote harmonius and successful marriages in the face of increasing divorce rates within the Muslim community in North America. He also championed the cause of North American Muslim demographics, completing the first-ever comprehensive estimation of Muslims in the United States, incorporating detailed information including religious practices. He served as the President of the Islamic Media Foundation, received the ISNA Community Service Award in 2005, and was a member of the ISNA Majlis as Shura until his passing in 2007. This scholarship honors Dr. Ba-Yunus’s dedication to the unity of the North American Muslim community, his constant efforts to improve the Muslim family, and his commitment to strengthening the relative position of Muslims in North America.

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  • Who should apply for these scholarships?

    The MSA National Scholarships will be given to students exhibiting a strong commitment to Islamic activism, involvement in their MSA or local equivalent Islamic organization, concern for the American Muslim community, and outstanding academic goals and achievements. We are looking for individuals who embody the qualities that M. Naziruddin Ali and Dr. Ilyas Ba-Yunus exhibited in their own lives and work: dedication to Islamic activism in North America, and excellence in educational and career achievements as a means for advancement of the community at large.

  • How do I apply?

    Complete the application form on this website, and upload one copy of your transcripts from your current and previous institutions of study, essays and two recommendation letters by the appropriate deadline. The same application form will be used to apply for both awards.

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  • Can graduate students apply?

    Yes, we accept applications from rising sophomores and onwards.

  • Do I use the same form for both scholarships?

    Yes, you only have to complete it once.

  • Can post-doc students apply?

    No.

  • Can students apply from overseas?

    No, we are looking for applicants whose goals are to contribute to the Muslim ummah in North America.

  • Can high school students apply?

    No, we only accept applications from rising sophomores and onwards.

  • What type of references are required?

     A minimum of 2 reference letters are required: one from a professor/teacher from an academic institute and one from a community member who you have served worked with.

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  • What type of transcript should applicants submit?

    We will only accept scanned versions of official transcripts in the electronic application. Finalists will be required to submit hard copies of the official transcripts to the mailing address provided.

  • When is this year's deadline?

    All applications materials must be submitted online by May May 14th, 2013 at 11pm EST!

  • Where do I send my scholarship materials?

    Detailed instructions can be found on the application form. Completed applications should be submitted online and recommendations letters should be sent via email to scholarship@msanational.org

Please complete online application and send a copy of recommendation letters and transcripts by 11pm EST, May 14, 2013 to: 

 

The M. Naziruddin Ali Award for Excellence, An MSA National Scholarship Committee

scholarship@msanational.org

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MSA of the US and Canada
Attn.: MSA National Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 941012
Plano, TX 75094

For scholarship inquiries: scholarship@msanational.org

For technical assistance: info@msanational.org

For all other inquiries please contact: MSA of the US and Canada

E-mail: info@msanational.org