A successful female computer scientist who is one of the best in her field.

On the authority of Abu Darda, may God be pleased with him, he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him”. When I look back at our Islamic history, I see all of the great scholars in various fields who have contributed to our nation's success and had an impact on our world until this day. It urges me to follow in their footsteps and be one of the hands that will aid our Ummah. I am pursuing a career in technology, specifically computer science. Our Ummah has fallen behind in multiple fields for a variety of reasons (wars, corrupt governments, etc.). However, it is up to this generation to develop the skills that will bring back our golden age, and financial needs should not be a barrier. Therefore, I turned to scholarships to help pay for my college education. The journey toward knowledge and excellence is not without challenges, especially for those of us coming from low-income backgrounds. I am entering my senior year of high school and have already begun taking classes at our community college in order to finish college early, but I still do not have my high school diploma, which disqualifies me from applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and even though I am attending classes at a community college, which is less expensive than most other colleges, it is still a lot for me and my parents to deal with. Scholarships, like the one I seek, offer a chance to overcome these hurdles and ensure I can continue my education without resorting to student loans and the burden of riba. And relieve some of the financial stress of attending college. It will allow me to concentrate and devote more time to my studies. I also work part-time as a Sunday school teacher at our local mosque. But it is more of a volunteer position than a paid position because the money the teachers receive is not consistent and is based on the number of students attending. I do it because I enjoy making a positive impact on the lives of younger Muslims, guiding them in their pursuit of knowledge and understanding of Arabic, Islamic studies, and the Quran. However, the money I earn helps, but it isn't consistent, and I can't rely on it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who goes forth in search of knowledge is considered as struggling in the Cause of Allah until he returns.". In conclusion, as I strive to pursue a career in technology, receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate the financial stress but also provide the means to concentrate on my education and contribute more meaningfully to the community. With gratitude in my heart, I thank you for considering my application for this scholarship and for acknowledging the potential in my dreams.