Nearing the Finish Line

Hello everyone!  Peace and Blessings!  My name is Raheemah Tauhidi, and I am a junior at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, CA.  I started this Launch Good campaign because I need your help to raise $31,000 so that I can complete my Bachelor's degree in Islamic Law and Theology at Zaytuna College. I am originally from Springfield, VA where I was born and raised- a place I still call home. 

Why I Must Finish

Finishing my education at Zaytuna College has become even more dear to me since discovering my research passion: West African Female Muslim Scholars.

My thesis, the final research project of my degree, is centered around an examination of an Islamic manuscript from the Mali Empire. The Ancient West African Empires of the Sahel, such as Songhai, Timbuktu and Djenné produced female scholars of great repute. One of those luminaries is Nana Asma'u, but still, much of her work has not been studied nor has her impact on the people (and particularly women) of her time been properly understood. 

Thousands of manuscripts written in Fusha Arabic sit in Mali's National Archive and many more have been uploaded to databases, like the ISITA library at Northwestern University. Many texts are readily available, but they are under-researched and underrepresented in the field of Islamic history.

More About Me

As an African American Muslim woman this subject matter truly resonates within me. Learning about the unique contribution of West African women to Islamic scholarship fills me with a sense of pride and motivation to keep going. I first went to Senegal, West Africa as a child and my appreciation for the culture and the people has stayed with me. 

I hope this thesis is only the beginning of my research endeavors. The next step is to seek an apprenticeship with those in the field so I can be further guided in my research and gain the tools to better access texts and hopefully study on the ground in places like Senegal and Mali. 

You Can Help!

• Donate here! Any amount you give gets me a little closer to completing my degree. 
• Make du'a! We can never underestimate the power of prayer. 
• Share this campaign with friends and family! 

Thank you sincerely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzaxpv6hNMI​