“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 would dedicate myself to something bigger than personal ambition—a life committed to humanity and change.
This conviction led me to leave my engineering career and, after the 2013 coup, my homeland. Exile came with unimaginable hardships, but my determination to do meaningful work remained steadfast. In a foreign country, I faced the daily grind of survival without a support system. There were nights when I wondered if I could endure. At one point, I worked as a construction laborer to afford basic needs, all while clinging to my dream of creating change. The weight of those decisions—the sacrifices, the uncertainty—shaped me into someone who could endure struggle with purpose in mind.
My journey took an unexpected turn when I met Dr. Shariq Siddiqui during a training I organized for young activists from the Middle East. That meeting wasn’t just a coincidence; it was a lifeline. Dr. Shariq introduced me to the Zakat Foundation Initiative (ZFI) certificate program and later encouraged me to apply for the MA in Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
The day I was accepted was a moment of hope in an otherwise uphill battle. With the financial support of ZFI, I could pursue my studies, but it was the human support of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) that truly carried me through. Studying in a foreign country, far from family, could have been isolating, but MPI became my family. They provided mentorship, community, and a sense of belonging that made all the difference.
One of the most memorable moments of my academic journey was attending the ARNOVA conference with a travel allowance from MPI. For the first time, I stood before a room of academics, sharing my ideas with experts I had only read about. It was terrifying, exhilarating, and deeply affirming.
MPI’s belief in me extended beyond my MA. With their guidance and encouragement, I applied for PhD programs—a step I never thought possible. Their mentorship and support led me to receive four fully funded PhD offers from prestigious institutions in the United States. That moment felt like redemption, a testament to what perseverance and community can achieve.
As I look to the future, I carry with me a vision of what’s possible. I plan to pursue my PhD, contribute to the study of philanthropy and democratization, and eventually return to Egypt to help build a philanthropic sector rooted in justice and equity.
This journey has been one of hardship and grace, of struggle and unyielding hope. To MPI, the Zakat Foundation, and everyone who believed in me—thank you. Your support didn’t just help me earn a degree; it gave me a new sense of purpose and a chance to create change in the world.
To anyone facing challenges that seem insurmountable, know this: with determination and the right people by your side, even the hardest paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.”
Mohamed Elsayed Hegazy
MPI/ZFI fellow and 2024 graduate of masters program at Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
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