Nasir Mahmood Ahmed, Naib Sadr Ansarullah Canada
Islam encourages us all to strive for knowledge. The Holy Quran commands its followers to think, contemplate and gain knowledge that brings them closer to Allah the Almighty and His creation.
To make certain this key concept of gaining wisdom and knowledge is truly embedded in the consciousness of its followers, the Holy Quran has emphasised its importance repeatedly. The very first revelation to the Holy Prophetsa was:
“Convey thou in the name of thy Lord Who created. Created man from a clot of blood. Convey! And thy Lord is Most Generous, who taught [man]by the pen, Taught man what he knew not.” (Surah al-Alaq, Ch.96: V.2-6)
The Holy Prophetsa said it was the duty of every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal)
Many branches of modern knowledge in science, mathematics, philosophy and other secular fields were pioneered by outstanding Muslim thinkers – Western science stands on the shoulders of great Muslim scientists.
The Promised Messiahas had prophesied that people of his community would excel in fields of knowledge too.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa has counselled students to seek knowledge with dignity and equanimity and to be respectful towards those from whom knowledge is sought. (Friday Sermon, 18 June 2004)
Under this special blessed guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, in 2019, Majlis Ansarullah Canada has launched a scholarship scheme for outstanding students across Canada. Majlis Ansarullah Canada has introduced special study grants for any deserving children, alhamdulillah.
This was a step forward to not only encourage and recognise the young talent, but also to facilitate the study of deserving students in our Jamaat.
In 2020, the qiadat talim department with the collaboration of the national department announced various scholarships for outstanding achievers in school, university and Hifz-ul-Quran School (both for boys and girls). The details of these scholarships are as follows:
1. Abu Bakr Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for male science major under-graduate students
2. Omar-e-Farooq Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for male non-science major under-graduate students
3. Usman-e-Ghani Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for male grade 12 students
4. Amna Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for female grade 12 students
5. Khadeeja Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for female science major under-graduate students
6. Nusrat Jehan Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, for female non-science major under-graduate students
Scholarships for Ahmadiyya elementary school
1. Mahmood Scholarship: Two scholarships of $500 each, for a boy and a girl with the highest grades in grade 4
2. Nasir Scholarship: Two scholarships of $500 each, for a boy and a girl with highest grades in grade 5
3. Tahir Scholarship: Two scholarships of $500 each, for a boy and a girl with highest grades in grade 6
4. Masroor Scholarship: Two scholarships of $500 each, for a boy and a girl with highest grades in grade 7
Scholarships for students of Hifz-e-Quran School
1. Noor Scholarship: One Scholarship of $500, for the hafiz taking the least time to memorise the Holy Quran.
2. Ayesha scholarship: One Scholarship of $ 500, hafiza taking least time to memorise the Holy Quran
After the approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, the majlis has already allocated $35,000 in this blessed initiative, for the year 2021.
May Allah bless all these children and enable them to excel in spiritual and secular knowledge. Amin