*Please see note at the bottom if you want to make a tax-deductible contribution.

Salaam, I'm Jawaad.

One year ago, I was graduating from film school, ready to enter the working world as a Muslim committed to learning and working for his Deen whenever time and life would allow. Then, in a turn of events that I never thought was possible, Allah facilitated me to attend the Bayyinah Dream program where I've spent nine months studying Qur'anic Arabic in Dallas, TX.

Now, having completed that program, I'm a graduate again, looking for the next step. Yet again, Allah has blessed me with an opportunity to study Islam, full-time, now at the Qalam Institute Seminary, an intensive one-year Islamic studies program led by Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda. I have been accepted and I have full intentions to attend, but I need your help to make this a reality.

A Young Activist Pursues Knowledge

Due to the blessing of Allah and the encouragement of my parents, I've been engaged in the Muslim community since my early teen years. I've taught classes, hosted camps and courses, and organized seminars and service projects for my community, especially in the realm of youth-oriented work.

Throughout that time, I pursued opportunities to gain knowledge, whether through AlMaghrib seminars, Bayyinah Intensives, YouTube lectures or local classes. I wanted to deepen my spiritual connection to Allah because I knew that being active without looking inward can cause your efforts to become hollow or even misguided. I especially loved to study the language of the Qur'an, so when things lined up for me to pursue Arabic studies with Ustadh Adam Jamal, Nouman Ali Khan and more at Bayyinah Institute, I jumped at the opportunity.

And here I am with that same goal I started out with when I was younger: to come closer to Allah, and thereafter try to bring others closer to Him.

Jawaad giving a short reminder to his classmates at Bayyinah Dream.

Continuing the Journey: Qalam Seminary

Run by Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda, Ustadh AbdelRahman Murphy and others, the Qalam Seminary is a one-year Islamic studies program that provides students with access to sacred knowledge straight from its sources. Beyond this, it works to give students a framework within which to function as a contributing member of the American Muslim community.

I've realized that it's time for me to develop my understanding of Islam and to broaden my skill level when it comes to serving the Deen. I've found Qalam Seminary to be the perfect avenue to pursue those aspirations at this time in my life. Equipped with the foundational knowledge of Islam and the practical approach that the program provides, I hope to be an asset to my community, whether through teaching, providing relevant programming, or even creating film and video content aimed at ultimately bringing people closer to Allah.

How Can You Help?

• Contribute by clicking that orange button above! (*See note below for tax-deductible contributions)
• Share this campaign with family and friends (there are social media buttons at the top!)
• Make du'a for the success of this campaign, and for Allah to accept the efforts of all those involved.

Honestly, thank you.

Giving to this campaign will help cover the tuition and costs of living for the year including rent, utilities, transportation, etc. In the greater picture, though, your contribution is a powerful statement that you believe we need more members of our communities to pursue sacred knowledge. With a smile, I thank you for caring enough to read through this, for contributing, for sharing, and for giving me a chance.

Your brother,

Jawaad.

* To make tax-deductible contributions, this campaign is partnering with Amaana Hands, a 501c3 nonprofit tax-exempt organization. To donate, visit www.amaanahands.org and click the Paypal "Donate" button at the bottom of the page. After entering your credit card information on the second page, before you confirm, click on the words "Jazakallah khair" and type in the hashtag #JawaadQalam in the notes/text box. This will ensure your donation goes to this campaign, and that it'll be properly recorded. We thank you for your understanding and patience in this process.