Published On: 2014-06-10

Chicago,June 10,2014-Muslim Spelling Bee- established in 2011,by Tausif Malik a Chicago based entrepreneur, has emerged as the second largest Spelling Bee competition and largest among the community based Spelling Bee competitions. The sole idea to organize these competitions is to increase Muslim Student participation at major spelling bee competitions.    The fact that all other major minority groups in the US have their own spelling bees,except Muslims motivated him to start one.

Originally from India, Malik, who has an Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations and Publishing experience created a basic format .He mailed the format to the community leaders and his personal contacts in Chicago land.The community at its end then e-mailed the flyer and website details to its contacts. 

The calls and responses of enthusiastic parents asking details of the competition were very encouraging, amazing and actually surprising. We then identified   leading community based schools in 10 metropolitan regions of US.We partnered with community schools to host the competitions and ethnic media to promote the competition.All of us agreed unanimously that Education was the   best way to connect with communities. Even though Muslim Spelling Bee is a competition,it creates a platform where students compete, community connects and vendors have the opportunity to sell. And the income generated is passed on to host schools.The Muslim Spelling Bee competition has also become an ideal platform   for Advertisers & Sponsors to connect with the American Muslim population.

The first edition of Muslim Spelling Bee was held in 2012.460 students participated from various cities of US and Canada. Unlike other spelling bees competition, where all students in the age group of 8-14 years participate in a single competition, Muslim Spelling Bee devised its proprietary competition format.In this format,all the children compete in their age group and     top 5 five spellers of each group are eligible to compete at the National Muslim Spelling Bee Finals.


Slowly and steadily, the competition has been growing in strength.While 460 students participated in the first year,the figure rose to 600 in 2013.The competition has grown so popular that two Hindu students from India also participated.According to Malik, “We have created not just spelling bee,but a social enterprise .The local communities host spelling bees in schools and community centers, which engages them. Vendors set up advertising stalls at these events, and so they’re also engaged. Around 10,000 people are involved  with these Muslim Spelling Bees in some or the other way.”


The following community schools have so far hosted Muslim Spelling Bee: American Youth Academy- Tampa, Florida; Al-Ihsan Academy, New York,New York; Darul Arqam, New Jersey, New Jersey; Al-Hadi School of Accelerative, Houston,Texas; MCC Fulltime Islamic School, Morton Grove, Illinois; Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, Atlanta-Decatur, Georgia; United Muslim Foundation hosting   at The Muslim Academy of Greater Orlando, Florida; Arizona Cultural Academy, Phoenix, Arizona; Al Ansar Academy, California; Islamic School of Irving,Dallas/Forth/Worth, Texas; Precious Sprouts Of Ann Arbor, Detroit, Michigan; Folsom Educational Academy, Folsom /Sacramento, California; Muslim Community School/ Alim Academy, Potomac, Maryland; Orange Crescent   School, Orange County, California; Quran Institute of America, Detroit, Michigan.

Muslim Spelling Bee 2013 winners received gifts/ prizes from: Galaxy & Lenovo Tablets by TMA Worldwide. Books by Iqra Foundation Comics by The99.0rg  Scarves by Nahda Designs Exclusive hand crafted Chocolates by ChocolateUzma DVD’s by Unity Productions Foundations.

Media sponsors- in alphabetical order:
Al Hikmat TV, Al Jumuah Magazine, Asian Lite Magazine, Azizah Magazine, Desi Express, Dinar Standard, Dunya, Global Muslim Observer, Indian Express USA, Indian Muslim Observer, Infocus California, Islamic Focus South Africa, Islamic Post, Lone Star Crescent, Muslim Coupon, Muslim Backyard, Multicultural Familia, Muslim Digest, My Education Key, News Pakistan, New York Awam, Pakistan Chronicle & Pakistan Journal, Pakistan Post, Pakistan Times & South Asian Gazette, Pakistan Express, Pakistan Voice, Radio Sargam/News Pakistan, Radio Sohni Dharti, Sadaa-e-Pakistan, Saavn.com, The Desi Times, Tribune Asia, TV ONE GLOBAL.

According to Malik, founder  Muslim Spelling Bee, “All the participants are winners, as they all work hard and  understand     the value of education and competition. Hopefully, the World’s first Muslim Spelling Bee will also be launched in other English speaking countries,such as Canada, UK, South Africa, Dubai , Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.The winners from each country will then get an opportunity to participate in the International Muslim Spelling Bee Competition”.

Malik, is also in the process of launching Muslim Science Bee, Muslim Math Bee, Muslim History Bee and Muslim Geography Bee in association with community based schools.

Tausif Malik- Founder Cell: 773-709-9154 media@muslimspellingbee.com  For details visit www.MuslimSpellingBee.com