What does it take to equip a generation of Muslim leaders for the challenges ahead? On March 3, 2026, AMCF co-hosted a live webinar introducing the world to the Azm Global Leadership Fellowship — a fully funded, two-year program designed to do exactly that.
The AGL Fellowship is now accepting applications through March 15, 2026. If you’re between the ages of 22 and 29, this may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
What Is the AGL Fellowship?
The Azm Global Leadership (AGL) Fellowship is a fiscally sponsored program of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF). It is a global, non-sectarian leadership initiative open to extraordinary young leaders of Muslim background or culture, ages 22–29.
The name “Azm” comes from Ahlil Azim — the people of determination. That spirit of purposeful, principled action is at the heart of everything the fellowship is building.
The program was founded by Muna AbuSulayman, a globally recognized leader, diplomat, and social entrepreneur whose career has spanned media, philanthropy, and public service across the Muslim world and beyond. She developed the AGL Fellowship in response to a clear and urgent gap: the world is facing unprecedented, interconnected challenges — and we don’t yet have enough leaders prepared to navigate them.
Why the AGL Fellowship Was Created
During the webinar, Muna was direct about her motivation:
“We needed leaders who are adaptive, who can solve challenges at a local, regional, and international level — and who understand where they came from.”
The fellowship addresses a leadership gap that many in the Muslim community feel but rarely see tackled so directly: the need for well-grounded, globally fluent, values-driven leaders who can function in any sector, in any country, at the highest levels.
The AGL Fellowship isn’t a religious program — it is non-sectarian. But it is deeply rooted in Islamic cultural competency, civilizational heritage, and the values of justice, integrity, and service that Muslims share across borders and backgrounds.
Who Can Apply to the AGL Fellowship?
The AGL Fellowship is open to applicants who:
- Are between the ages of 22 and 29
- Identify as Muslim or come from a Muslim cultural background
- Have demonstrated accomplishment — whether through education, entrepreneurship, community work, or other fields
- Show energy, intelligence, and integrity
- Are committed to impact and leadership
During the webinar, Muna was emphatic about diversity. All sectors are welcome — nonprofit, tech, arts, STEM, media, policy, and more. All ethnicities and nationalities are encouraged to apply. The selection process prioritizes diversity alongside demonstrated dedication and potential.
For those over 29, Muna encouraged completing the eligibility screener anyway, noting that a mid-career track is being planned for the future.
Meet the Faculty
The AGL Fellowship has assembled a world-class faculty to develop and deliver its curriculum. The webinar introduced three of them:
Dr. Iyad Uakoub
Born in Damascus, Syria, Dr. Iyad is an organizational psychologist and leadership development expert. He holds a Fulbright Scholarship and conducted research at Stanford University on leadership identity and meaningful work. He has led leadership development programs for four tech startups and advises governments in Bahrain, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. His work centers on how we define leadership in context — and how that definition shapes people and communities.
Dr. Samar Ali
A research professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Samar brings expertise in negotiations, conflict resolution, cybersecurity, and moral leadership. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum and serves on its Global Future Council on Leadership. She is also the founder of Millions of Conversations, a nonprofit expanding globally. Her research found that moral leadership was the quality people most wanted — and most felt was missing — from today’s leaders.
Dr. Susan Douglas
A world historian with over 30 years of experience developing curriculum on Islam and Islamic civilization, Dr. Susan has worked with the Alliance of Civilizations at the UN, the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, and Unity Productions Foundation. She is developing the Islamic Civilizational Heritage and Cultural Competency module for the fellowship, exploring 10 keywords that connect the classical Islamic past with the challenges of today.
What Will Fellows Learn?
The AGL Fellowship curriculum is built around two core tracks: leadership and management. Fellows will work with faculty across a range of subjects designed to develop the whole leader:
- Leadership identity and self-awareness
- Negotiations and conflict resolution
- Moral leadership and ethics
- Cybersecurity and technology in leadership
- Diplomacy and geopolitical fluency
- Islamic civilization and cultural competency
- Scenario mapping, role play, and applied leadership
The curriculum runs over two years, with modules delivered across 10 months each year, two hours per week, plus in-person summits. Travel expenses for the three in-person summits are fully covered. The entire fellowship is provided at no cost to fellows.
The First Cohort: What You Need to Know
The inaugural cohort will include 20 fellows selected from a global applicant pool. The fellowship begins in July 2026. The second cohort is planned for July 2027, with a target of 100 fellows.
Application Timeline:
- Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Screening Completed: March 20, 2026
- Interview Week: March 23–27, 2026
- Final Decisions: March 30, 2026
- Offers Sent: April 1, 2026
- Public Announcement: April 7, 2026
Applications are submitted through a two-step process: an eligibility screener followed by a full application. You’ll need to submit a resume, a short introduction video (approximately one minute), and two references.
➡ Apply or learn more at agl.abusulayman.org Questions? Reach out to support@abusulayman.org
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
The AGL Fellowship is fiscally sponsored by AMCF and represents the kind of strategic, mission-aligned partnership that AMCF was built to support. When Muslim-led programs and organizations need the infrastructure to grow, AMCF is here to help make it possible.
We are proud to stand alongside Muna AbuSulayman and the entire AGL team as they launch what we believe will become a defining leadership institution for the Muslim world.
Ready to apply or know someone who should? Visit agl.abusulayman.org before the March 15th deadline. Questions? support@abusulayman.org
as moslem young leaders in Uganda we appreciate this program as it will help many of us in leadership to show case and learn more to help us in our leadership career