The news
The COSARAF Foundation is delighted to celebrate the exceptional success of Sheikh Scholar Shaleena Ali, whose academic journey has culminated in a remarkable achievement at the University of Warwick.
Shaleena recently graduated from the MA in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice, where her dissertation not only passed with distinction but was also recognised with the prestigious Outstanding Dissertation Award. This accolade highlights both the academic excellence of her work and the wider contribution it makes to the field of education.
As a recipient of the highly regarded Sheikh Family Scholarship, awarded through the Foundation, Shaleena demonstrated outstanding commitment throughout her studies. She deepened her understanding of Education Studies, developed strong research competence, and creatively reconciled contemporary academic learning with her traditional Islamic educational formation.
Her dissertation addressed a pressing pedagogical challenge facing Islamic supplementary education in Muslim minority contexts in the UK: how teachers in British madrasahs can effectively nurture critical thinking skills among students. The work reflects not only rigorous scholarship but also a profound personal and academic transformation achieved during her time at Warwick.
Reflecting on her achievement, Shaleena shared:
“I am truly humbled for receiving the ‘Outstanding Contribution in MA in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice Award’. Completing this MA has been one of the best decisions in my life. It has provided me with real insight, knowledge and essential skills through an authentic academic lens.
I am committed to an academic journey that integrates rigorous study with meaningful contributions to my communities.
Thank you Dr Sahin and thank you to the COSARAF scholarship for giving me this opportunity. Without your support, I would not have been able to pursue this life-changing journey.”
The Sheikh Family Scholarships are a flagship initiative of the Foundation, designed to empower talented students to pursue higher education and leadership development opportunities that benefit both their personal growth and wider communities. Through its long-standing partnership with the University of Warwick, COSARAF supports scholars on innovative programmes that combine academic excellence, ethical leadership, and social impact.
This collaboration enables students like Shaleena to engage with world-class teaching and research while contributing thoughtfully to contemporary challenges facing Muslim communities in the UK and beyond.
COSARAF congratulates Shaleena Ali on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of her academic and community-focused journey.
