Preparing for Unity and Impact

Dr. Mohsin Ansari

Pediatrician, President ICNA-USA

Dr. Ansari is a Pediatrician and a Neonatal specialist. He completed his medical training at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Ansari is currently licensed to practice medicine in several states. He is also author of multiple research papers published both in national and international medical journals. He lives in Maryland with his wife and five children. Dr. Ansari has been associated with ICNA USA in different capacities for three decades and has previously served as the Chairman of ICNA Relief and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD). He has also served on the National Shura ICNA since 2003, and has been associated with Islamic work for over 4 decades.

Mr. Fawzy Manaa

Consultant, Community Organizer

Fawzy is a proud Palestinian who was born and raised in Gaza. He's a technology leader who's currently serving as a Director in Deloitte Canada's Consulting business. Outside of his professional career, Fawzy is a public speaker and community leader who drives key Palestine-focused initiatives related to political advocacy, public education and community mobilization. Fawzy is also a volunteer organizer with Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council and Canadians for Palestine.

Sr. Humaira Jaleel

Executive Director, Healthy Muslim Families

Humaira Jaleel is the executive director and founder of Healthy Muslim Families. She is an expert on women empowerment, community activism and domestic violence. She leads several projects including Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence in the Muslim Community and the Restorative Justice program. She has also led community-based research on domestic violence and mental health.

Dr. Mujahid Sultan

CEO, MLSoft.ai

Shaikh Dr. Yasir Qadhi

Resident Scholar, East Plano Islamic Center

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi is the Resident Scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center. He is also a Dean of the newly formed Islamic Seminary of America. He is one of the few people who has combined a traditional Eastern Islamic seminary education with a Western academic training of the study of Islam. Shaykh Yasir graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, after which he was accepted as a student at the Islamic University of Madinah. After completing a diploma in Arabic, he graduated with a B.A. from the College of Hadith and Islamic Sciences, and then completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology from the College of Dawah. He then returned to America, and completed a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University. He has authored several books, published academic articles, and appeared on numerous satellite and TV stations around the globe. His online videos are of the most popular and highly-watched Islamic videos in English.

Dr. Hamid Slimi

Imam, Syeda Khadija Centre

Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi is a community developer, a teacher and a spiritual leader who has been serving Muslims in Canada since 1997. He is currently a professor of Islamic Studies at the Canadian Centre for Deen Studies and UIN university in Indonesia.  In addition to his traditional Islamic degrees known as Ijazah, he holds two Masters degrees with High Honors from Morocco and the United States, and a PhD in Islamic Law from the U.K. Dr. Slimi is the Imam and resident scholar of Sayeda Khadija Centre in Mississauga, ON since 2009. He is also the former chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams.  Dr. Slimi has been featured by Georgetown University as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World (2009-2018) for his community development, interfaith work and spiritual leadership.

Mufti Yūsuf Badāt

Imam, Islamic Foundation of Toronto

Mufti Yūsuf Badāt has a passion to serve humanity and make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. He uses his training, education and experiences to inspire people towards leadership and meaningful understanding of religion. He is a Toronto based scholar with formal authorizations in sacred sciences, leadership and business. He continues to inspire countless people through his talks, presentations, sermons, classes, articles and books. Mufti Yūsuf Badāt is the main Imam at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto. He serves as a director and instructor at Mathabah Institute. He is also the President of Imam Services Inc. Mufti Yūsuf Badāt was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He has studied under numerous scholars, receiving several formal authorizations in the sacred Islamic sciences with top honors. He memorized the Quran at age 14 and then completed a rigorous 6-year alim course at Darul Uloom Zakariya, South Africa graduating in 1998, where he achieved his masters in the Islamic sciences, which included but was not limited to, Arabic language, exegesis (tafseer), and jurisprudence (fiqh). He earned authorizations in Hadith under the Grand Mufti of South Africa, Mufti Radha-ul-Haq. Mufti Yūsuf Badāt also holds a jurisprudence authorization (ifta) from Darul Ilm Birmingham, UK. Mufti Yusuf Badat is an Ontario registered minister of religion, licensed marriage officer and a certified mediator. He also has a diploma from the Toronto School of Business.

Mr. Haris Ansari

Medical Student, Howard University

Br. Haris Ansari has been part of the Baltimore/Washington community since 2013. He has 7 years of experience working with youth, hosting halaqas for local Muslim teenagers, ranging from middle school to early college. He has been involved with youth programming and halaqat at numerous masajid in the DMV area. He served as the President for the MSA at the University of Maryland College Park, and then served as the co-President of the Graduate MSA at Georgetown University. He is an MGA of ICNA, and has been associated with ICNA and it’s affiliate organizations for over a decade. Haris is currently a medical student at Howard University, College of Medicine and is a student of the ten qira’at.

Dr. Sabeel Ahmed

Executive Director, GainPeace ICNA

Dr. Sabeel Ahmed is the Executive Director of the GainPeace Project, an outreach project of the Islamic Circle of North America. As a Director of GainPeace, Dr. Sabeel's aim is to bring out the commonalities and build bridges between people of various faith, races, and nationalities and share the beautiful faith of Islam with our fellow Americans. Some of the projects of GainPeace include advertising the message of spirituality via buses, billboards, trains, TV, Radio, and newspapers. Dr. Sabeel had given many outreach presentations and workshops in various cities in the USA on the topics of Shariah, Freedom of Speech, comparative religion, and youth empowerment. After completing his medical education in the Caribbean, he decided to dedicate his time as a full-time (daee) educator of Islam, to tackle Islamophobia and convey the peaceful message of Islam. He is married with three children and resides with his family in Morton Grove, IL, USA.

Shaykh Abdool Rahman Khan

Chairman, Shariah Council of ICNA

Sh. Abdool Rahman Khan is a graduate of the Islamic University of Medina from the faculty of Shari’ah (Islamic Jurisprudence) specializing in Islamic Inheritance. He is a former Principal of the Guyana Islamic Institute and also of Al-Rahmah School, Baltimore, Maryland. Shaykh Abdool Rahman served as the Resident Scholar and Khateeb (lecturer) at Islamic Foundation, Villa Park, Chicago, Illinois. He is actively involved in the field of religious dialog and social issues. He is the chairman of the Shari’ah Council of Islamic Circle of North America and a member of the Fiqh Council of North America.

Sr. Sheema Ghayyur

Community Activist

Sr. Sheema Ghayyur is a passionate community activist who is involved in many community efforts Alhumdulillah. She has completed her degree from University of Toronto with a specialization in Physics & Anthropology. She resides in Mississauga, Ontario and is a passionate homeschooler and mother to five children. She is involved in the creative planning & execution of imparting Academic, Islamic, and Extra Curricular knowledge for Young Minds on DawaNet Elearning platform for many years. She also manages Graceful Looks - luxurious Desi dress and casual wear boutique.

Ms. Naila Saeed

CEO of EYES Child Care

Mr. Usama Labib

President, ICNA Canada

Usama Labib is the current President of ICNA Canada, bringing with him a long-standing commitment to community service and Islamic organizational leadership. Prior to his current role, he served as the Vice President of ICNA and led the Central Tarbiyah Committee, contributing significantly to the development and spiritual growth of members across the organization. With a strong background in religious and community engagement, Usama Labib has been leading Friday prayers at the Alfauz Centre in Scarborough and other locations, offering guidance and inspiration to diverse congregations. He holds a Master's degree from the University of Arid Agriculture in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His dedication to community work began long before his move to Canada, having actively participated in grassroots organizations in Pakistan. Since 2005, he has continued this legacy in Canada, playing an instrumental role in ICNA Canada’s grassroots efforts and organizational development.

Ms. Hafsa Khan

Student, MSA President at Univ. of Toronto

Mr. Raïss Tinmaung

Founder, Rohingya Human Rights Network

Mr. Boonaa Mohammed

Award Winning Poet, Performer and Filmmaker

Dubbed the "voice of a generation," Boonaa Mohammed is an accomplished writer, performer, and filmmaker. He has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a playwright residency at Theatre Passe Muraille, the publication of a short story in the Penguin Canada anthology "Piece by Piece," and several slam poetry titles, including the 2007 CBC Poetry Face-Off "Best New Artist" award. As a multidisciplinary storyteller, Boonaa has expanded his influence into the world of filmmaking. He is the president and founder of Safina Media, an Islamic multimedia production company, where he has written and produced five feature-length films which have garnered multiple awards and recognition.

Shaykh Abdullah Oduro

Imam, Islamic Center of Coppell/Lewisville - USA

Shaykh Abdullah Oduro is a first generation Ghanian native that converted to Islam in 1997. He graduated from the College of Islamic Law from the University of AlMadinah in 2007. He conducts public speeches, sermons, lectures, and workshops around the US on Islamic Law, self-improvement, and convert life. He is currently the Imam at the Islamic Center of Coppell and Lewisville in Dallas, TX. 

Dr. Tamara Gray

Founder, Rabata

Shaykha Dr. Tamara Gray is a founder of Rabata, an organization dedicated to promoting positive cultural change through creative educational experiences. She holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in Curriculum Theory and Instruction from Temple University, and spent twenty years studying traditional and classical Islamic sciences, Quran, and Arabic in Damascus, Syria. Dr. Gray worked in the field of education for twenty-five years before moving into the non-profit world. She is now both the Executive Director of Rabata and its Chief Spirituality Officer. Her work includes the daily nitty gritty of project design as well as the support and mentorship of hundreds of women around the world. She is the instructor for more than ten subjects at Ribaat, teaches RabaTeens, and contributes to curriculum development. She also serves as both faculty and an academic council member for The Islamic Seminary of America, teaches at the United Theological Seminary of the TwinCities and is a  Senior Fellow at the Yaqeen Institute.  She has recently joined the Fiqh council of North America in addition to her other responsibilities. Dr. Tamara is a mother of three, grandmother of two, an avid reader and a lover of cultures, people, coffee and food.

Shaykh Alaa Elsayed

Director of Community Relations, HCI

Shaykh Alaa Elsayed studied for his Bachelors in Shariah from the American International University and earned a scholarship from the Shari’ah Academy/Mishkah University in Florida. Sheikh Alaa has also received his ijazah of Quran recitation for Hafs an Asim and studied comparative religion for five years through the IPCI in South Africa. He was on the board of directors of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

Taha Ghayyur

Human Rights Advocate

Taha Ghayyur is a human rights advocate, a personal growth and leadership trainer, and a Khateeb and writer, based in Toronto, Canada. Driven by a spirit of service and desire to elevate people’s leadership potential, Taha has been leading groundbreaking and impactful community initiatives for over 20 years across North America. Over his vast and expansive career, Taha has held the following roles: ■ Senior Vice President, Sound Vision Foundation, a pioneering Muslim media & professional development training institution ■ Executive Director, Justice for All Canada, a human rights advocacy organization fighting to end genocides impacting minorities around the world ■ Member of the Canadian Council of Imams ■ Board member, DawaNet, a grassroots community education and empowerment organization ■ Board member and former Chairperson, MuslimFest, an award winning festival celebrating the best in Muslim arts and culture ■ Former Executive Director, ISNA Canada ■ Khateeb at Masjids in the Greater Toronto Area ■ Former Advisory Committee member, Muslim Studies Program at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto ■ Human rights commentator and contributor to national newspapers, including the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, and The Hill Times ■ Author on issues related to youth, personal growth community development, civic engagement, human rights, and spirituality ■ Speaker, with 20 years of experience in delivering workshops, Halaqahs, seminars, webinars & Khutbahs ■ Certified Communications and Leadership Trainer, Speaker and Coach by John Maxwell Leadership Team ■ Trained in human rights, public speaking, marketing, leadership, and Islamic sciences ■ Pursuing Advanced Diploma in Islamic Leadership and Scholarship at Centre for Islamic Knowledge ■ Studied Arabic, Uloom Al-Quran, Tafir, Tajweed, Hadith, Islamic history, Fiqh and Aqidah with various local Islamic scholars in the Toronto area

Sr. Razia Hamidi

Muslim Life Coach, Counsellor

Razia Hamidi is an esteemed spiritual teacher, relationship coach, and the CEO of DiscoverU, the world's premier Islam-based self-development organization. Her ground-breaking work has revolved around crafting and facilitating programs that have touched the lives of thousands of Muslims, encouraging them to strive for Ihsan in all aspects of their life, without ever detaching from their spiritual anchor in Allah. She's served on boards, and advisory councils with various non-profit organizations across Canada over the last 2 decades. Guiding their vision, organizational culture, and helping them develop faith based leadership.  She's been invited by the international governments to speak to topics in the areas of Dua, spiritual resilience, faith based approach to a successful marriage, Quran based growth, and success for a believer.  Renowned for her transformative approach, Razia has been instrumental in aiding individuals and organizations in their spiritual and personal growth journeys. Her unique perspective blends traditional Islamic teachings with contemporary self-improvement methods, yielding a powerful toolset for success and fulfilment. In her role at DiscoverU, Razia has pioneered the creation and delivery of a variety of programs and resources, each designed to cater to the diverse needs of the Muslim community globally. These programs aim to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and personal empowerment, thereby enabling Muslims to not only navigate but also thrive in the complexities of modern life through their faith. Through her spiritual leadership coaching, she assists Muslim organizations in evolving their company culture and enhancing their spiritual footprint. Razia's approach to spirituality and self-development is holistic, embracing the full spectrum of the human experience within the Islamic framework. Her mantra, "building believers," perfectly encapsulates her mission and the transformative power of her work.

Imam Hosam Helal

Imam, Muslim Chaplain at Brock University

Imam Hosam Helal is a member of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health Lab. He serves as Imam and Youth & Education Manager at ISNA Canada as well as an Associate Muslim Chaplain at Brock University. After completing his Islamic studies at Al-Azhar, Hosam is currently pursuing graduate studies at the University of Toronto in Quranic exegesis.

Mr. Zain Hussain

Entrepreneur

Br. Zain Hussain is an inspiring entrepreneur who has faced and overcome some of life’s toughest challenges. From specializing in addiction recovery in Mississauga, and conducting youth wellness groups at the University of Toronto, he’s dedicated his life to making a positive impact. Now, Zain is pursuing his Master’s in Psychotherapy to follow his true passion: empowering young people to become disciplined, strong, and confident individuals. Beyond his work in mental health, Zain is also a successful Realtor, Fitness Coach, and Mentor, finding joy in helping others achieve their personal and professional goals.

Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Masood Al-Nadvi

Chairman, Canadian Council of Imams

Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Masood al-Nadvi is a well-known Muslim scholar in Canada, amongst the few who have the authority to confer an Islamic legal ruling. Dr. Nadvi has extensively studied the Islamic sciences at some of the world's leading institutions of Islamic learning.

Mr. Stephen Brown

CEO, NCCM

Stephen Brown is the CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). He is a well-known leader and community organizer with decades of experience in the private sector, in organized labour, and in human rights advocacy. Stephen went on to become an organizer for one of the largest labour unions in Canada, where he dealt with accreditation cases and organized tens of thousands of workers where he managed labour relations, negotiated collective agreements, and took on grievances and health & safety cases. Stephen held consecutive mandates as the head labour representative for large locals in the healthcare and municipal sectors where he led teams of litigators, lawyers, and pension fund specialists. Stephen has been a long-standing leader within the Quebec Muslim community, working to promote human rights, interfaith dialogue, and Muslim youth initiatives as well as helping community groups to develop various advocacy initiatives and implement best practices. A prolific speaker, his writings have been published in various news media and he has been a commentator on public policy matters including Bill 21, civil liberties and Islamophobia, and Muslims in Quebec.

Sr. Haleh Banani

Faith-based Life Coach, Marriage Counselor

Dr. Asif Hirani

Resident Scholar, Worcester Islamic Center - USA

Dr. Asif Hirani completed his Bachelors of Business Administration in Fashion designing before switching gears to the pursuit of Islamic Studies. He completed his Masters in Islamic Studies (Usul-ud-din) from Karachi University and attained his PhD from Al-Madina International University in Tafsir & Uloom-ul-Quran.

Dr. Reda Bedeir

Islamic Scholar & Religious Counsel

Dr. Reda Bedeir has a Ph.D. degree from Al Azhar University in Applied Linguistics and Islamic Studies. He holds two BA degrees: one in English and the other in Islamic Studies. He has an MA degree in Simultaneous Translation between Arabic and English. He is a Professor at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He is an ex- instructor with Almaghrib Institute. He has taught Islam all over the world: Egypt (Al-Azhar University), USA (Wake Forest University in NC), Canada (Calgary and Alberta University), UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia are examples among other countries. He is an international speaker and he appeared in many TV Channels all over the world: Nile TV in Egypt, Islam Channel in London, England, Al Huda TV and many other TV shows in USA and Canada. He is a very motivational and engaging speaker who will make you cry and hysterically laugh within the same speech. Dr. Bedeir is a certified life coach as well as an interpreter with the UN for the last 20 years.

Ustadha Taimiyyah Zubair

Instructor, Al Huda Institute and Al Maghrib Institute

Ustadha Taimiyyah Zubair is an established teacher with a focus on Quran. She is known for her translation and tafseer of the Quran. She has completed and taught a number of word-for-word translations, and brief and detailed tafaseer. She has pursued intensive Islamic studies under the guidance of her parents and scholars, Dr. Idrees Zubair and Dr. Farhat Hashmi (founders of Al Huda International). Ustadha Taimiyyah is an instructor at Al Huda Institute and Al Maghrib Institute, and can often be found teaching classes in the GTA and internationally.

Shaykh Navaid Aziz

Director of Public Relations, Al Maghrib Insitute

Shaykh Navaid Aziz is a Canadian Muslim public figure with a diverse academic and social background. He is currently focused on the education and integration of Muslim youth, with the hopes of eradicating radicalization. He was raised in Montreal, Quebec where he completed a diplome d’etudes collegiales (D.E.C.) in commerce and Social Sciences from Champlain College before heading to the Islamic University of Madinah where he completed an Associates Degree in Arabic Language and Literature and Bachelors in Islamic Law.

Sr. Sumaira Afzal

President, ICNA Sisters

Sr. Sumaira Afzal, currently serves as the President of ICNA-Sisters, with a rich history of decades in active volunteerism. Her commitment to service extends beyond her current role, as she has previously contributed to ICNA-Relief and HHRD as a member of the board of directors. Throughout her extensive journey, Sumaira has showcased her dedication by serving in various capacities, including the Outreach department, Online Institute, MCNA-YMj, Tarbiyah department, and YM Board.

Beyond administrative roles, she actively imparts knowledge by conducting Tajweed & Quran classes for Sisters, Youth, Sumaira Afzal is not limited to the confines of her community; she extends her reach by organizing interfaith programs in universities, high schools, libraries, and Senior Centers. Her engagement in membership in the local High school Council and Mental health Advisory committee underline her commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration. Her academic prowess is equally commendable, holding a degree in Biology, a Diploma in Computer Science, and Nutrition. In pursuit of advanced knowledge, Sumaira has completed an 8-year Islamic studies program, demonstrating her dedication to spiritual growth. Sumaira's multifaceted skills include the development of workshops on diverse topics such as time management, parenting, SWOT analysis, team management, marketing techniques, and prayers of the believers.

Her ability to impart knowledge across such a spectrum showcases her versatility and commitment to holistic community development. Currently serving as a Muslim Advisor and Spiritual Counselor at Simmons University in Boston, Sumaira Afzal continues to extend her influence beyond the community, impacting the lives of students and contributing to the spiritual well-being of the broader society. Sumaira resides in the Suburb of Boston with her family.

Mr. Mohammad Ijaz Tahir

President, ICNA Canada

Mr. Yahya Mansoori

Vice President, ICNA Canada

Imam Numan Attique

Director of Programming & Research, ICCM/ICNA

Dr. Javerya Saeed

Psychiatrist & President of iCAN Sisters, Australia

Dr Javerya Saeed is a psychiatrist working in Sydney, Australia, with experience in working with youth, men, women from diverse cultural backgrounds. She’s a mentor, blogger, writer, Quran and Seerah teacher and a community activist. She is currently Central President of iCAN Sisters, The Islamic Circle of Australia and New Zealand and a member of Australian Islamic Medical association. She is also the Head of iCAN Youth girls in Australia. Previously, she has remained an active member of and served in different roles in ICNA Sisters Canada, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association and other dawati organisations. She has been delivering lectures for Raphah University Pakistan and has been speaking on several international forums with regards of mental and spiritual health of Muslim family, women, youth and our values. She completed her early education and medical school from Pakistan and also did some initial training in psychiatry in Pakistan. Later in her life she passed various professional exams in Canada and Australia and has worked in professional and community setting in three countries. She has previously worked as a crisis and suicide counsellor in Calgary Canada. She’s a humble mother of five and a homemaker and considers her family and religious affiliation the greatest source of happiness and inspiration. Dr Saeed’s especially interested and involved in issues related to mental and spiritual health of Muslim women and youth and writes online, conducts lectures and run groups for the same population.

Imam Dr. Zijad Delic

Imam, Community builder, HCI Strategic Relations Advisor and Mentor

Mr. Momin Saeed

Founder & Managing Director, Abrahamic Finance

Momin Saeed is a prominent and engaged figure in Alberta’s Muslim community, with extensive experience across advocacy, Islamic finance, and real estate development. He pursued initial religious training through the Hifz program at Darul Uloom in both Edmonton and Vancouver. Momin was a key board member and the first Executive Director of the Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council (AMPAC), now known as NCCM Alberta, an advocacy group focused on advancing Muslim interests at all three levels of government. Following the tragic New Zealand mosque massacre, Momin’s powerful keynote address, calling for white supremacist groups to be added to terror watch lists, garnered national attention. He has been interviewed extensively and has contributed op-eds to major news outlets. His commitment to Islamic finance led him to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he earned a full scholarship to study Islamic Banking and Finance. He is a Chartered Islamic Finance Professional from INCEIF University in Malaysia and holds the Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor designation from AAOIFI in Bahrain. Through his firm, Abrahamic Finance, Momin, in collaboration with Shaykh Navaid Aziz and Dr. Hassan Lahsasna (Chairman of the Shariah Board of Standard Chartered Bank), provides Shariah-compliant advisory services to businesses, non-profits, and financial institutions. Momin also has nearly two decades of experience in real estate development and investments through his work with Royal Canadian Development. He leverages his expertise in both Islamic finance and real estate to offer Shariah-compliant investment options for development and construction projects in Alberta. In terms of academic achievements, Momin holds an MBA from the prestigious Smith School of Business at Queen's University (Canada), a B.Com in Accounting from the University of Alberta, and a certification in Commercial Real Estate Development from Cornell University. He is also in the process of completing his Commercial Real Estate License.

Ms. Yumna Vaid

Programs Coordinator, The Canadian Muslim Vote

Yumna Vaid is a Master of Social Justice Studies student at Lakehead University. She studied Environmental Science and Political Science at the University of Toronto. With a background in political advocacy, she was the Get out the Vote Lead for the 2022 Provincial election in her riding, and is currently a Programs Coordinator at The Canadian-Muslim Vote.

Dr. Muhammad Owais Aziz

Professor, St. Lawrence College

Ms. Irba Shafqat

President, Young Muslims Edmonton

Irba Shafqat is in her third year of Nursing at MacEwan University. She has had the honor of being the president of the YM Edmonton chapter for the last two years. From a young age, she has been passionate about public speaking and presenting, particularly in her madrassah, where she regularly delivered presentations on various Islamic topics to an audience. These early experiences helped her build confidence and refine her speaking skills. In addition to this, she had the opportunity to conduct Halaqas, further deepening her ability to lead and speak in front of others. Throughout junior high and high school, she actively performed poetry she wrote and took on the responsibility of doing the morning announcements, allowing her to develop a well-rounded ability to engage with audiences in diverse settings. These experiences have shaped her communication abilities and instilled in her a love for public speaking.

Dr. Amgad Elsherif

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Western Ontario

Dr. El-Sherif practices as a consultant thoracic surgeon in Ontario, Canada. He has a passion for surgical education and global outreach and has led and organised medical and surgical missions to the African continent, Syria, and more recently to Gaza. He had co-organised the first medical mission to Khan Yunis/Gaza in December 2023 and has led the WHO team for the first medical mission to northern Gaza in April 2024.

Dr. El-Sherif is interested in education, global healthcare and sustainability of healthcare during climate change. He has authored and contributed to a number of peer reviewed articles, has been invited to panels, as a speaker, as a surgeon and as a journal reviewer for the most prestigious journal in thoracic surgery, the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 

Ms. Aasiyah Khan

Director of Education, NCCM

Aasiyah Khan is NCCM’s Director of Education. She has an extensive community development and research background that is grounded in inclusion and anti-oppressive practice principles. She recently completed a research project that captured the narratives of young Muslim women in the GTA with a specific emphasis on Islamophobia and resilience. Aasiyah previously served as NCCM’s Workshop Coordinator and Manager of Education. Aasiyah worked as a research assistant for three years at the University of Toronto where she was actively involved in research aimed at understanding the formation of stereotypes, bias and discrimination within the adult population.  In 2018, Aasiyah graduated from York University with her Master of Social Work (MSW). Outside of work, she is a nature enthusiast and avid traveler.

Dr. Adam Esse

Founder and President, SRNNA

Adam Esse is the founder and president of the Somali Relief Network of North America (SRNNA). He has a PhD in Political Science and a Masters in Arabic language and Islamic Studies from the American Interglobal University, and another Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Somali National University. He founded the Somali Relief Network of North America (SRNNA) in 1992, a Canadian charitable organization that delivers humanitarian aid in Africa and supports cultural diversity in Canada. The Coalition of Muslim Organizations (COMO) in 2001 was an umbrella organization with more than 35 member organizations across Canada. He is a member of the Imam Council of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Council of Imams. He was the Ontario representative on the RCMP Commissioner's Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities for nine years. He received "Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022. The Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. He also won the "Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes Award in 2017" for his extensive public and community services and contributions to Canadian society. For over 30 years, Adam has served as an advisor, coordinator, facilitator, teacher, lecturer, activist, mediator, arbitrator, counselor, and community leader.

Dr. Altaf Hussain

Associate Professor, Howard University

Dr. Altaf Husain serves as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Community, Administration and Policy Practice concentration in the Howard University School of Social Work, in Washington DC. He also serves as the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, with oversight for the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program. He has primary teaching responsibilities for the Displaced Populations field of practice specialization, which includes social work practice with individuals experiencing homelessness and natural and human-caused disasters, as well as with immigrants and refugees.