I am particularly interested in Women's rights and the role of women in the Islamic tradition, the focus of the Prophet's message on justice, the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. I strongly believe that the Classical Islamic tradition offers a remedy to our modern problems. I truly love writing and research, as well as editing documents and videos. I competed in Speech and Debate for 8 years, and I really enjoy facilitating discussions. Before coming to GW, I had originally planned on going to law school, but I felt that this was the next step for me. I fundamentally believe that the central focus of Islam is equity and justice between all aspects of God’s creation. Islam without compassion and without justice is not Islam at all. It is extremely important that we fight against the forces that wish to morph this beautiful tradition into nothing more than a rubber stamp for despots. This scholarship will make it possible for me to engage more fully with the authentic Islamic tradition, contribute to contemporary thought in a meaningful way, and offer an intellectual challenge to the dominant currents that plague our world. So many have become blind to light and darkness. There is nothing remotely Prophetic about the horrific actions that are taking place in our world today. In December 2019, I traveled to Palestine and the Occupied Territories as part of a class entitled “Israeli- Palestinian Conflict,” led by Professor Sa’ed Atshan. I witnessed the brutality of the Israeli occupation, and the pain that comes with it, but remarkably, I also witnessed the resilience, the hope, and the joy of the Palestinian people. I was fortunate enough to stay with a host family in Bethlehem, and I still keep in contact with them. One of the most impactful experiences during this trip was standing at the edge of the Gaza strip, a mere 200 feet from the electrified fence, and hearing the call to prayer echo from Gaza City within. This experience taught me two lessons: first, regardless of the path I take, I feel deeply called to the struggle for Palestinian liberation, and any work I do must relate to that in some way; second, hope is not a platitude or a meaningless phrase, it is a way of life. To despair and give up, as Professor Atshan taught us, is a privilege. The oppressed do not have the luxury to despair. Those struggling every day for freedom and justice have no option other than to hope, and to hope deeply. It is often easy for us to distance ourselves from issues that we do not feel impact us. I now understand that all oppression affects each and every one of us, whether we are in Cairo, Egypt or New York City, Santiago, Chile or Hiroshima. All of our struggles are interconnected. Only by fighting for one another can we ever really be free. As the great revolutionary, Fannie Lou Hamer, once said, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” My time in Palestine made my purpose clearer, and challenged and transformed for me the true definition of hope. As a Muslim and a human being it is my responsibility to join the global struggle for justice and stand in solidarity with the oppressed. I believe that the Muslim community has a responsibility to restore the light of justice and equity that the tradition calls for, and this scholarship will help get me one step closer in that struggle. Thank you for your consideration.