The Liali Albana Scholarship Fund was established by Omar Abuattieh in honor of his mother, Liali Albana, a woman whose life and achievements embody resilience, compassion, and dedication to uplifting others. Born in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Liali Albana is a proud Palestinian-American mother of four whose remarkable journey spans continents and industries. Liali still maintains memories good and bad of her early life and has fond recollections of her summer visits to her family along the beaches of Gaza. It was always her dream to take her kids to Gaza to show them her childhood home and introduce them to her family.
Liali fondly recalls simple pleasures from her childhood in Gaza: eating idra and knafeh, playing cards with family and cousins on the beach at night, and the heady fragrance of her grandmother's jasmine tree. She remembers the taste of lemons and oranges from her grandmother's garden, and the scent of spices from the market. She also cherishes memories of trips to Ramallah, Nablus, and Jerusalem with her cousins.
As the eldest of eight children, Liali was inspired by her father's dedication to learning. She remembers working on school assignments beside him as he always studied, and engaging in conversations about philosophy and history. Liali's deep value for education stems directly from her father's unwavering support.
Liali is the founder of “Albana-New York,” a thriving fashion brand, and a fierce advocate for children in need, championing the foster care and adoption system. A former high school history teacher and co-author of a publication within The Cambridge Companion to American Islam, Liali’s contributions to education and cultural understanding continue to inspire those around her.
To Omar, however, Liali Albana is far more than her impressive résumé—she is a constant source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love.
Liali embodies perseverance, faith, and courage, overcoming even the toughest challenges, like beating a brain tumor diagnosis, with a smile on her face and a shoulder to lean on." Omar attributes all his successes to the guidance, support, and sacrifice his mother has made throughout his life.
Mission Statement:
The Liali Albana Scholarship Fund is dedicated to empowering displaced and disadvantaged Gazan students to achieve their academic dreams and build brighter futures. By providing holistic financial support—including tuition, living expenses, and resources for personal and professional growth—the fund honors the legacy of Liali Albana and her commitment to education, resilience, and compassion. With zero administrative costs (except transfer fees), every contribution directly transforms lives, fostering a generation of empowered leaders who will inspire and uplift their communities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be of Gazan origin and hold refugee or displaced status.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Show evidence of academic potential or achievement.
- Open to students pursuing any degree in any country, with preference given to those lacking other financial resources for higher education.
Selected candidates are expected to do the following:
- Send regular updates to donors, sharing their academic progress and personal stories.
- Be active participants in the LE.O Scholars Community, which will keep them connected with other supported students, help them network and find resources, and give them an opportunity to stay in touch with Omar Abuattieh.
If you meet the criteria and would like to be considered, please fill out the form
If you would like to donate to this fund you can do so by any of the options below:
- Sending a check payable to "Leonard Education Organization" with "The Liali Albana Empowerment Fund" in the memo field, to this address (this option is preferred to miminize processing fees): PO Box 11283 NW, Washington DC 20008
- Paying by wire transfer (please click here for the wire transfer details)
- Paying using the donation form below (we accept all major credit/debit cards, venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH (for US))