ONE STEP AWAY FROM MY DREAM

I’m Aqeelah its a pleasure, a 23 year old Canadian, born and raised in Canada. This campaign is for funding my dream of studying Islamic Studies there is an Institute in South Africa known as Madina Institute that I have applied to and by Allah’s will I have been accepted alhamdulillah. Now I need to acquire enough funds to afford attending the school. I’m a big believer is supporting others however and whenever I can, for your support to be reciprocated in my direction with this campaign would be amazing. The next step for me would be getting as much support possible in raising money for housing, rent, food, transportation, etc. That is where you come in to support by donating for me to study and live abroad for a year starting 2018. I am doing my part on my end by saving a few thousand dollars for this journey ahead your added support would be amazing! 

I want to give back with acquiring this knowledge to my community, family, and friends. This is a personal journey in betterment of myself, to give whatever benefit I can to the world while I remain on it. And what action is better than striving towards studying my very own lifestyle and belief system, and moral compass— Islam.

A LASTING IMPACT -- WAVE OF CHANGE

Female Islamic Scholarship is what I realized at the age of 20 is nearly unheard of. I've asked myself why? Lack of encouragement, exposure, and knowledge of such opportunities that are put in the way of many Muslim Women. A women is the heart of the community and world at large. She gives birth to all nations, raises and educates them. Yet is left lacking herself in Islamic Knowledge and foundations that are the core of her very beliefs. When a women is educated she is more well equipped, a strong and vibrant voice in her communities, and is less likely to be manipulated or taken advantage of with knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah; because she is already well educated in the foundations of Islam. More women young and old are going forward in studying Islamic knowledge at any given opportunity and the thirst for knowledge this change is beautiful. More than anything I want to be apart of those adding a positive mark to this world with intellect, action, and mannerism. We are all examples to one another as human beings, striving to do as much good as I can is one of the best ways I can use my time to make an overall lasting impact for my community and the ummah.

MORE ABOUT ME: MY STORY

Growing up I wasn't deeply informed about the TRUE deep beauties of Islamic teachings it was more you have to fast, pray, not drink alcohol or eat pork, or date. It was more a bunch of rules instead of a true understanding of its benefits. I got my wake up call when I was 19 Allah brought my back to my faith. In 2013 I’ll never forget I still don't know who the person is till this day but I was sent a video on Women in Islam and I have never felt so ashamed, enlightened, liberated, awoken, and broken apart yet mended at the same time before that moment. So many things I didn't know about how Allah(swt) liberated women and I just remember crying for hours non stop thats never happened to me before that point because I never really cried, it was a rarity(showed how hard my heart was subhanaAllah) God allowed this to be a softening for my heart. I remember thinking and praying for what I could do next to change and to be better. I made tawbah(mind you I had no idea what tawbah was and learnt about it later on) and again cried like never before but it wasn't a painful type of cry but rather a therapeutic release of all that I needed to let go of and detox of to go forward in my journey of being a better muslim and person, I felt so much relief afterwards. 

MY TURNING POINT

After that I educated myself however I could with youtube lecture videos by Omar Suleiman, Nouman Ali Khan, Yasmin Mogahed, Abdul Nasir Jangda, Mufti Menk, Khalid Latif, Suhaib Webb, Hamza Yusuf, etc., books, Taking Alkhauthar Institute Courses hosted by Mercy Mission with numerous scholars and sheikhs such as YahYa Ibrahim, Tawfique Chowdhury, Alaa Elsayed, etc., and dawah activist Hamza Tzortzis. I began to change my behaviour and character I wanted so desperately to be better and for Allah to be pleased with me while I still had air in my lungs. Since my wake up call began at 19, from that point on I’ve been trying to get as much Islamic Knowledge as I can and actively volunteering in my community at places such as the Muslim Food Bank, the women empowerment conference Being Me in 2013/2014, putting on pro sisterhood events as a head coordinator at Ajyal, I've attended Islamic Conferences such as Twins Of Faith, Being Me, and RIS(Reviving the Islamic Spirit) this convention in particular was a major eye opener for me with activism and wanting to contribute even more to my community while holding on to my strengths as a young muslim, I also began writing poetry/spoken word, public speaking and organized Global Dawah Day Vancouver, attending weekly halaqas online and in person by Hafsa Dean Thompson and Khalid Latif, Islamic classes(Alkauthar Institute) held in my city by Mercy Mission Canada taught by islamic scholars and sheikhs(its no longer running it got shut down) so since my main source of Islamic knowledge has been shut off I’m at a low for resources and so desperately want to continue my endeavour to learn islamic knowledge to better myself and help my community by giving back. This is your opportunity to help me do just that by donating to this campaign to show your lasting support!

How Can You Help?

1. Support this sadaqah jariyah by donating.

2. Share this page link with everyone you know on social media​.

3. Make sincere dua Allah guides me and I am successful in my endeavour to please Allah and help the ummah at large by giving back from what I learn.

4. Tell everyone you know this is a great good deed opportunity to get in on :)!