The first Arabic and Islamic studies minor scholarships have been awarded to a diverse group of students, including a professional cook, a future physician, an art historian, an aspiring elementary education teacher, a social worker, and a Qur’an reciter.
Salma Abdelhamid was raised in Egypt. A native speaker of Arabic who enjoys sharing her heritage with others, she is a Social Work major at IU Indianapolis. This semester Salma is formally studying Arab American history and life for the first time. “Combining this minor with my major will prepare me to better understand and serve diverse communities,” she tells us. “I’m confident this knowledge will help me make a positive difference in the lives of the people with whom I work.”
The Arabic Studies Program celebrates the impact of Arabic cultures both locally and globally.
Ahd Ali is a first-year student majoring in Elementary Education. Proud of her heritage as a Yemeni American, Ahd is “determined to bridge cultural gaps and create a more inclusive world by teaching the next generation about the beauty and importance of the Arabic language and Islamic heritage.” Ahd is minoring in Arabic and Islamic studies so she can learn more about “Islamic history, philosophy, and contributions to science and art,” which “gives me a broader understanding of the world” that she can then “pass on to others as an educator.”
Faris Safiia is an IU Indianapolis-bound high school senior and a future Honors College student. His passion is the study of tajwid, or the science of qur’anic recitation. “I learned about the Arabic and Islamic studies minor at my high school, Eman School, when Dr. Curtis visited and gave a very nice presentation about Arabs and Islam in Indiana,” Faris explains. “He shared details about the program and I decided to minor since it’s a perfect fit for me.”
Adam Tayeh, a Pre-Med Biology major, is active in several student clubs, including the Middle East Students Association and the Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network. He declared his minor after enrolling in the program’s Introduction to Arab American Studies. “Learning about the early Arab American migrants was truly an eye opening experience and taught me so much more about my culture in a part of our history which is not usually discussed,” explained Adam. The class also furthered his sense of connection to his own Palestinian heritage and has inspired him to explore the possibility of studying abroad in Jordan.
Alex Vance, who was a professional cook before enrolling in the Environmental Science program at IU Indy, discovered the Arabic and Islamic studies minor on social media, where a post about a Fall 2025 course on Syrian and Lebanese food and cooking caught her eye. “Cooking creates a sense of community and understanding,” Alex says. “Learning other culinary techniques and history is like learning another language!” Alex is one of several Arabic and Islamic studies minors currently organizing the Arab American Community Fair. “What I most love about this program,” Alex exclaims, “is the built-in volunteer service and chance to become active in the community!”
Several of the students who received scholarships are currently helping to organize the Arab American Community Fair.
Jordan Wheatley is a grant consultant at IU School of Medicine’s Pathology Department and an Art History major at the Herron School. Her interest in Arabic and Islamic studies developed by interacting with Arab and Muslim people in Indianapolis, including a close Palestinian friend in college. “This was when I saw a major blind spot in my high school education… I didn’t know what Palestine was. We never learned about it.” Jordan is committed to using knowledge to challenge Islamophobia and xenophobia. “Our world is too full of hate stemming from a lack of education and empathy,” she asserts. “I believe it is my responsibility to use my social privilege to help make this world a better place.”
Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 toward their university fees and is eligible to apply for an additional three years of financial support toward the completion of the minor. The scholarships are funded by the generous donations of over 40 community members, including our Community Advisory Board. If you would like to contribute, please do so through the IU Foundation here.
