IMANA is Proud to Announce a New Scholarship in Journalism

The journalists of tomorrow face an uphill battle. Disinformation has never been as rampant, and political discourse has rarely been this heated. As per Reporters Without Borders, press freedom in the U.S. is witnessing its first prolonged decline in the last century. Simultaneously, scholarships in journalism are harder to find.

At the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), we understand that the nation needs more brave, brilliant, and outspoken journalists. That’s why we have collaborated with former president, Dr Faroque Khan, and his acclaimed wife, Dr Arfa Khan, to launch a scholarship in journalism.

Aspiring reporters and editors have never been in better hands. Apart from building long and storied careers in medicine, both doctors have demonstrated a commitment to excellence. It’s a partnership that we hope will inspire newer generations to uphold the values of the fourth estate and speak out without fear or favor. 

Who knows? The next big journalist could be reading this right now.

Why Journalism?

In this time of crisis, journalists are the credible voices the world sorely needs.

Wars and flashpoints are becoming increasingly more frequent. Decades-long refugee crises are spiraling out of control. Climate change is looming in the background. Meanwhile, large parts of the internet are filled with half-truths and outright lies. 

In this mix, journalists will play a critical role in holding those in power accountable. They will also play a part in amplifying the voices of underprivileged and marginalized groups from across the world. It’s an extensive amount of ground to cover, but one that hosts some of journalism’s top benefits:

• You will constantly meet new people and work in a dynamic environment. 
• You have multiple points of entry — today’s journalists aren’t restricted to simply newspapers or TV. They could see incredible success working with a digital magazine, social media newsroom, or even a podcast crew. 
• You get the chance to pursue your own interests and highlight stories from your community. 
• You have a chance to influence public opinion for the better.
• You have the opportunity to chase academic pursuits all your life. 
• You develop and gain several transferable life skills,  specifically in the fields of written and verbal communication.

Over the years, the IMANA team has provided emergency medical relief in multiple sensitive areas. It’s a list that includes Syria, Bangladesh, Yemen, Gaza, and more. 

We know what happens when stories aren’t told. Health crises get ignored. Refugee camps go unseen. Lives are lost, not from lack of aid, but from lack of awareness.

With this scholarship, we hope to find people who aren’t afraid to dig deeper. Who will ask the hard questions and write with clarity, courage, and heart.

 

About Dr Faroque Khan

Dr Faroque Khan studied at the Government Medical College in Kashmir’s Srinagar before his pursuit of excellence led him to the United States. Once here, Dr Faroque went on to become the chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Queens General Hospital. Later, he was appointed chairman of medicine at Nassau County Medical Center.

All through this time, he grew as an integral member of IMANA.

He joined our movement in the late 60s and was eventually appointed the president in the second half of the ’80s — a post he held for two years. In the decades since, he has continued to seek out philanthropic and academic endeavors, establishing himself as one of the country’s foremost Islamic scholars and doctors.

Read more about his story here. 

 

About Dr Arfa Khan

Dr Arfa walked a slightly different but equally impressive path. After she and Dr Faroque married and moved to the U.S., she studied radiology at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where she rose from professor to chief of Thoracic Radiology. 

Over the years, she’s gone on to mentor generations of radiologists.

Today, she is considered a role model for both her professional practice and medical research, which includes a staggering 200 published articles to her credit. She also works tirelessly for more female representation in leadership roles, and was herself appointed the first woman executive of the Islamic Center of Long Island.

Dr Arfa has also been an integral part of IMANA since its foundation. She has helped shape our vision and spoken at numerous regional and international conferences. 

Read more about her story here. 

 

About the AFR Foundation

In 1997, the couple established the Arfa and Faroque Khan Foundation (AFK) to provide a range of educational opportunities. The foundation has provided scholarships to talented but financially insecure students, both from Kashmir and the couple’s new home in the U.S. The results are there for all to see: over 7,000 scholarships granted, over 2,000 lives changed.

The foundation began with two doctors, but its scholarships aren’t limited to medicine. Grants have been offered to students of anthropology, art, law, journalism, and more. 

What hasn’t changed is the core mission: encouraging young people to lead with drive, integrity, and heart, following the example set by its founders.

 

Join the IMANA Movement

Since the 1960s, IMANA’s network of volunteers have carried out life-changing work. We’ve provided supplies, medicine, and emergency medical relief to vulnerable regions and populations across the world. 

We also offer numerous scholarships for brilliant minds. Apart from the new journalism scholarship, we also support students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and more in achieving their goals. Check out our list of scholarships  and required qualifications to apply here. 

At IMANA we believe no voice should ever go unheard, and no groups should ever be left by the wayside. You can support our mission by volunteering for our medical relief efforts, making a small donation, or simply sharing this message. Let’s rewrite the world’s story together.