The Leadership Enhancement Initiative Scholarship (LEIS) is awarded to persons who demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for providing leadership for Islamic institutions and programs in North America. Applicants are usually awarded 90% of their tuition.
Those interested should indicate all leadership history in their admission application and offer references who can vouch for their leadership qualities.
The Leadership Enhancement Initiative Scholarship (LEIS) is designed specifically for individuals who exhibit a fervent commitment to advancing the leadership landscape within Islamic institutions and programs across North America. With a keen focus on nurturing leadership potential and fostering a culture of proactive engagement, LEIS goes beyond a goal of mere financial support—representing a strategic investment in the future stewards of Islamic community development and progress.
Zaid Yousef is an emerging leader and a law student. He joined TISA with a passion for deepening his Islamic knowledge and using it to uplift his community. Through rigorous study, mentorship, and spiritual development, he has grown into a thoughtful leader grounded in Islamic ethics.
A recipient of the TISA Leadership Enhancement Initiative Scholarship. With a passionate commitment to advocating for justice and protecting the rights of all individuals. Zaid is not just studying the law—he is preparing to make a lasting impact in people’s lives.
Zaid is working on civil rights cases and conducting research on Islamophobia in the United States. He also serves as the Managing Editor for Berkeley Law’s Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Law (JMEIL), blending his legal education with his Islamic studies training.
Amal serves as the Tarbiya Director for the Muslim American Society–Arizona chapter and operates her own private counseling practice, supporting individuals and families with compassion and professionalism. She has been a recipient of the TISA Leadership Enhancement Initiative Scholarship since 2023, which has helped strengthen her ability to lead with knowledge and integrity.
Amal’s service to the Arizona Muslim community spans multiple leadership roles. She has served on her local masjid board, led the MAS-AZ Tarbiyah Department, and chaired the 2024 MAS-AZ Convention.
She continues to mentor the next generation by advising the local YM sisters’ group, leading Ramadan programs for children, and delivering halaqāt and community lectures across the state. Amal’s work reflects the mission of TISA: to equip dedicated leaders with rigorous Islamic scholarship rooted in service.
We have several other students like Zaid and Amal, who have been awarded this scholarship.
At its core, the LEIS is driven by a multifaceted purpose aimed at empowering emerging leaders to navigate the complexities of contemporary societal challenges while remaining steadfastly anchored in Islamic principles and values. By awarding recipients with 90% tuition coverage, the scholarship not only facilitates access to higher education but also underscores the intrinsic value of cultivating leadership skills and competencies within the Islamic community. Through this support, LEIS endeavors to equip individuals with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities needed to assume leadership roles effectively and ethically, thereby fostering a cadre of capable and visionary leaders poised to make meaningful contributions to the enrichment and advancement of Islamic institutions and programs.
Moreover, as an institution dedicated to the holistic development of individuals who are equipped to serve as catalysts for positive change within their communities, TISA places a premium on nurturing leadership qualities grounded in a deep understanding of Islamic teachings and values. By offering this scholarship, our institution not only demonstrates its commitment to identifying and supporting emerging leaders but also actively contributes to the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive leadership pipeline that reflects the diversity and richness of the Islamic tradition.
The emphasis on applicants indicating their leadership history and providing references who can vouch for their leadership qualities further underscores the scholarship’s commitment to identifying individuals who possess not only the potential but also the demonstrated capacity to lead effectively and inspire others. By ensuring that recipients have a track record of leadership experience and the endorsement of credible references, LEIS upholds the highest standards of leadership excellence and integrity, thereby reinforcing its role as a catalyst for positive change and transformative leadership development within the Islamic community.
In essence, the Leadership Enhancement Initiative Scholarship represents a strategic investment in the future leadership landscape of Islamic institutions and programs in North America. By empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to lead with vision, integrity, and compassion, LEIS not only enriches the lives of its recipients but also advances the overarching mission of TISA in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of leaders dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, service, and positive impact.
