My biggest take away after graduating with a master’s degree from an arts institution was embracing the idea of “being” versus “doing” (Mitra, Rahul. “Doing Ethnography, Being an Ethnographer: The Autoethnographic Research Process and I.” Journal of Research Practice 6, no.1 2010). The mode of being, in various praxes, can offer an interconnected approach to the… Read more »
“Receiving the Emerging Scholar Award in June 2023 first simply caught me off guard. I didn’t expect to receive such recognition for my work, after often hearing many times how ‘different’ my research is from the usual expected research at a business school. So my first reaction was a huge feeling of gratefulness, and happy… Read more »
“I have been working in the nonprofit sector since graduating from the University of Dhaka, gaining experience in a variety of areas, including research, advocacy, and program management. I was excited to learn about the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and subsequently applied for the graduate program (MA). When I received the admission letter, I… Read more »
“In 2011, as I stood in the midst of the Egyptian Revolution, bullets tore through the air, and lives were lost before my eyes. In that harrowing moment, a thought struck me with overwhelming clarity: life is fragile, and I needed to make mine count. I vowed then and there that if I survived, I… Read more »
“Religion and faith play crucial roles in times of crisis, conflict, and suffering, serving as values and social identities that help build bridges and foster peace, justice, and equality. The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) is a unique place where philanthropy and the institutional development of nonprofits are explored from an Islamic point of view…. Read more »
“As a recipient of the 2024 Emerging Scholars Award, my journey with the MPI has been both transformative and deeply rewarding. The award has played a significant role in advancing my professional path, particularly in overseeing the Islamic philanthropy program for UNHCR in the Americas. The knowledge and skills I gained through my association with… Read more »
“I completed my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and also obtained my MBA degree from the American University of Afghanistan. When I joined the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative as a ZFI (Zakat Foundation Institute) fellow, I found their support for international students through scholarships and educational opportunities inspiring. My participation in the ARNOVA conference, facilitated by… Read more »
“In 2022, I received the Zakat Foundation Institute and the Muslim Philanthropic Initiative fellowship, which opened my eyes to the diverse Muslim philanthropic landscape in the United States and around the world. I realized that the graduate program in philanthropic studies at Indiana University perfectly aligned with my career goals. I’m currently enrolled in this… Read more »
“I joined MPI as a ZFI Fellow in 2020 where I was part of the inaugural class pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropy and a Graduate Certificate in Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies. In 2021, I continued with MPI as a Visiting Assistant Professor based on my combined legal and philanthropic backgrounds, incubating a governance-risk-compliance… Read more »