Born Genius

1. Born Genius “…your exceptional performance…evidence of your determination, hard work, and tenacity…place you among a select group of young people capable of providing the future leadership our society needs” • Kindergarten certificate • From Cleveland Municipal Clerk of Courts • Foreshadowed Momina’s greatness and intelligence

2. Brought up as a child • With Islamic values • In Pakistani culture • With American principles • Momina assimilated all three • She was simple • Did not fall into cult of appearances or self-perceptions • With her intelligence, trained her parents how to properly raise her

3. Childhood Education • Ordinary schooling throughout • Al-Rahmah Islamic School, Baltimore • Mali Embassy School, Saudi Arabia • Pakistan Embassy School, Saudi Arabia

4. Rural Roots • Deep attachment • Pride • Quoted in essays many times • Family values • “You taught me how important family is. Thank you for taking me to Pakistan”.

5. Middle School • At Beaconhouse • Extremely intelligent • No significant encouragement • No significant mentor • Disappointed • In education system • Requested move to USA • American principles • Best education system • Opportunities for all • Freedom of speech and justice

6. High School • Academic encouragement • Valedictorian • Mentoring & excellent coaching • Foreign Extemporaneous speech • Winner of many competitions & tournaments • Ohio state champion • National qualifier • FBI & 9/11 story

7. Graduation & College • Accepted by many prestigious schools • Medical school • Cornell University • Duke University • MIT • Chose Duke University • Dean’s List • Who’s Who Among American Colleges & Universities • Majored in English Literature; minored in History

8. Duke University • Studied Philosophy & critical thinking • AllamaIqbal and related philosophers • Bergson • Kierkegaard • Nietzsche • Sartre • Concluded that only Iqbal’s philosophy was relevant to today and awakened consciousness in humanity, Muslim youth in particular

9. Harvard University • M.A. from Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations • Studied Farsi, Urdu, Arabic, and Hindi • Poetry of Iqbal, Rumi, Hafiz • Spirituality taken to next level • Presented original paper at 2008 Duke-UNC Islamic Studies Conference • “Body and Spirit: Interlocutory Moments between Muhammad Iqbal and Existentialist Philosophers” • Developed a semester-long course • “Readings in Indo-Muslim Thought in North India from the Medieval Period to Partition”

10. UVA School of Law • Aspiration to be American-Muslim legal scholar • Belief in Law • As best means to free intellect from oppression • Law Firm • Paralegal • ‘Mona Standard’ • Improve conditions of poor and marginalized • i.e. prisons • University of Virginia School of Law • One of few students in history of school to get straight A’s • Professor Caleb Nelson’s Letter of Recommendation

11. AllamaIqbal & Momina • Studied Iqbal’s philosophy & poetry • Followed his footsteps • Learned German • Visited Germany & same lecture hall where Iqbal studied • University of Heidelberg • Brought back poster of Iqbal and Jinnah

12. AllamaIqbal & Momina • Called herself ‘AllamaIqbal’ • Studied his philosophers & Iqbal himself • Against capitalism, colonialism, globalization and their exploitative inclinations • Deep love for Prophet

13. AllamaIqbal & Momina Studied Qur’an and applied principles in same way as Iqbal ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: IqbalaurQawm al-Zalimeena‏ From: Momina Cheema To: Dr. Akhtar Cheema, tayyebazia Tue 2/26/08 5:55 PM 10:85 They said: "In Allah do we put our trust. Our Lord! make us not a trial for those who practice oppression“ َ meritarhaIqbalbhiaalimi Capitalist nizampesochakarte the aur is keazlam is zamanekidunyamein. wo in alfazmein Allah kopuchtey:tuqaadir o' adilhaimagarterejahaanmeinhaintalkhbahotbanda-e mazdurkeauqaatkabdoobegasarmayaparasti ka safeenadunyahaiterimuntazir-e roz-e makaafat

14. Love of Family • Respected, listened, discussed • Valued by her and her family • “My sister is wise and intellectual. My parents cannot argue with her because what she says is the truth” • Academic guidance and role model to brothers • Unique diary written to mother

15. Love of Pakistan • Studied and followed Pakistan’s social and political problems • Wanted to implement interest-free microfinance for indigent, home-staying women in her village • 1st place essay for Pakistan Independence Day • “Shaping the Future of Pakistan” • Solutions given; still relevant today • Optimistic I am without a doubt that Pakistan can overcome these obstacles and become a great nation, for I am reminded of the words of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, who once remarked “Failure is a word unknown to me.” 

16. Islamic Faith • Strong and certain faith in Quran & Sunnah • Thoroughly studied tafsirs while at Duke & Harvard • IbnKathir original exegesis • Bukhari, Muslim hadiths • Often meditated on Quranic verses • To find deep understanding • Shared with family and friends

17. The Perfect Way of Life • Impressed by Sufi approach to life and its teachings • Al-Ghazali, Data Ali Hujwiri • Sultan Bahu, Baba Bulleh Shah, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Ghalib • Grandfather: Ch. Sardar Ahmed Zia • Influence • Spiritual, down-to-earth, humble, sincere, generous, witty

18. Activism • Palestine Solidarity Movement • Duke University • Recognition by Dean Brodhead • Movement for Restoration of Judiciary • Actively participated in 2008

19. Activist • Wanted to improve Muslim image in world, particularly of Pakistanis after 9/11 • Personal trip to Pakistan with best friend Cathy • Visited Iqbal Academy, Data Darbar, Kasoor, Ali Hajweri • Spread message of respect and peace, inspired friends • Through knowledge of Islam and Sufism • Friends claimed to be astray; Momina changed their lives by bringing them into spiritual realm • Even online with those not on personal terms