Two Palestinians Win Membership in the Inaugural Cohort of the Global "Azm" Fellowship for Muslim Leaders

SadaNews - Two Palestinians have achieved a new milestone by winning membership in the inaugural cohort of the "Azm" Global Fellowship (AGL) for Muslim Leaders, after being selected among 25 Muslim leaders from over 2,700 applicants from around the world in one of the most competitive programs for preparing young leaders internationally.

The "Azm" Global Fellowship, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and San Francisco, USA, announced the launch of the first cohort of its fully funded global leadership program that spans two years, aimed at preparing a new generation of Muslim leaders capable of leading institutions and communities amid accelerating global challenges. The program combines intellectual, ethical, and strategic training, drawing upon the Islamic civilizational legacy.

The selection of the fellows came after an intensive competitive process, as the foundation received over 2,700 nomination applications, with only 88 candidates qualifying for the interview stage, before the final selection of 25 leaders representing diverse countries, specializations, and professional backgrounds, including two Palestinians who secured their places in this founding cohort.

The inaugural cohort from Palestine includes Omar Al-Tamimi and Muhammad Murtaqa. Omar Al-Tamimi, a Palestinian-American, is an activist in the fields of policy and legislation, focusing on promoting health equity through public sector reform. He is currently leading efforts in California to analyze budgets, draft legislation, and influence funding decisions related to health and humanitarian services.

On the other hand, Muhammad Murtaqa, a Palestinian from Gaza, is a specialist in development policies and a writer working in governance and post-conflict reconstruction. He is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies at Cambridge University, alongside his work in policy analysis related to the reconstruction of Gaza, and has established the GazaIndex platform specialized in collecting and presenting humanitarian data related to the sector.

Mona Abu Suleiman, the founder of "Azm" and one of the prominent Arab voices in leadership and social impact, stated, "Investing in outstanding youth is one of the strongest ways to shape the future," emphasizing that the future will not be shaped by the loudest voices, but by leaders who possess the wisdom to navigate complexity, the courage to hold on to principles, and the humility to serve what is greater than themselves.

Abu Suleiman added that the launch of the first cohort represents the beginning of building a global system of Muslim leaders based on principles, contributing to the preparation of leaders who combine professional excellence, ethical clarity, cultural confidence, and responsibility towards serving humanity.

The "Azm" program distinguishes itself from traditional leadership programs by focusing on building the leader's identity and values before developing their leadership skills. It combines the latest knowledge in leadership and management, conflict resolution, and cultural competency, along with an in-depth study of Islamic intellectual and civilizational heritage, under the supervision of a select group of scholars and specialists.

The "Azm" program launches from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through an inaugural summit that brings together fellows with scholars, experts, and practitioners from around the world before continuing with a program model that combines remote learning, individual mentoring, collaborative projects, and annual in-person meetings.

"Azm" for Global Leadership (AGL) is a prestigious global leadership initiative dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and empowering a select group of exceptional young Muslim leaders aged 22 to 29. Through a world-class educational experience, specialized mentorship from experts, and a rich international network of fellows, scholars, and leaders, "Azm" equips participants with the knowledge, skills, relationships, and strategic vision needed to make a sustainable impact and lead quality initiatives based on excellence, mission, and positive change.