30 Days, 30+ Scholarships: THIS Lucknow-based charity supports underprivileged students with unique Ramadan initiative

A Lucknow-based charity has adopted a unique approach to helping underprivileged students seek education during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

Aaghaz Foundation, a non-profit run by a group of professionals, has launched its annual programme to offer financial assistance to deserving students. In the beginning, the idea was to offer one scholarship a day under ‘30 Days, 30+ Scholarships’. However, given the encouraging responses, the organisation offered more than one per day.

Ramadan 2025 – the 30-day-long fasting month in Islam began on March 2 in India and a day before in the Gulf and some other countries. Ramadan ends this week, marking Eid-ul-Fitr, on March 31 or April 1 in India. In Saudi Arabia, Eid-ul-Fitr will be marked either on March 30 or March 30, depending on the appearance of the crescent the night before.

Aaghaz began the initiative on March 1. It is aimed at supporting over 500 deserving students across India by distributing about ₹1 crore.

“Last year, we helped over 300 students. This time, we’re expanding our reach and rolling out several new scholarships daily to support even more students in need,” Mazhar Farooqui, president and founder of the Aaghaz Foundation, said. Farooqui is a journalist and author.

“We remain committed to sponsoring students throughout the year, particularly those forced to drop out due to financial hardships,” he said.

60 Memorial Scholarships

Aaghaz Foundation runs over 60 Memorial Scholarships, including several worth ₹5 lakh each. Among the luminaries honoured through these scholarships are Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui, NDTV journalist Kamal Khan, and social reformer Fatima Shaikh.

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to establish a Memorial Scholarship, allowing individuals to honour a loved one’s memory by funding a student’s education.

“The most meaningful way to remember someone is by transforming lives,” Farooqui said.

Since its inception in 2004, the Aaghaz Foundation has helped thousands of students across India by covering school and college fees, preventing many from dropping out due to financial constraints.

Significance of Charity in Ramadan

Charity is one of Islam's five pillars, and giving it during Ramadan earns better rewards. Muslims give Zakat—a mandatory charity—every year. The form of almsgiving can be given at any time, but many choose to donate during Ramadan for its spiritual rewards, calculating 2.5 per cent of their net assets. Many Muslims, like those associated with theAaghaz Foundation, prioritise diverting Zakat funds to education.

“With a minimum annual contribution of ₹25,000, donors can sponsor a student, with priority given to orphans. Each recipient will receive a scholarship cheque and a certificate bearing the name of the individual in whose memory the scholarship has been established,” Farooqui said.

Underprivileged students in need of assistance can apply for the Ramadan Scholarship scheme on the Aaghaz portal. The foundation will help the kids to pay fees in schools and colleges. Those interested in contributing as donors or establishing a Memorial Scholarship can write to aaghaz.foundation@gmail.com