Speakers

Youth Speaker Profiles

Voices of Wisdom (VOW) is a dynamic speakers network dedicated to sharing authentic Muslim perspectives in Canadian schools. Through lived experience, thoughtful dialogue, and meaningful storytelling, our presenters create engaging learning spaces where students can explore identity, history, and contemporary issues with openness and confidence

Our speakers thoughtfully connect the richness of Muslim heritage with the realities of today’s social landscape, helping students better understand diverse perspectives while fostering empathy and critical thinking. By centering youth voices and real-world experiences, VOW supports classrooms in becoming spaces where Muslim students feel seen, valued, and empowered — and where all students gain a deeper appreciation for inclusion and shared citizenship. Explore the profiles of our inspiring youth speakers below and discover how their voices can enrich your school community

Aizaz Khan is a dynamic speaker who engages audiences at both large conferences and grassroot community events. He addresses pressing issues such as youth identity, gender roles, and the relationship between Islam and science. With extensive experience in media production at MTA Studios Canada, he combines his deep knowledge of Islamic teachings with strong communication skills to address contemporary topics including alcohol and health. Active in youth programs and on social media, Khan makes his presentations relatable, accessible, and relevant to the challenges faced by today’s students

Aizaz Khan

Amir Rana is a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA, UK) with over a decade of experience, including with Big Four accounting firms, and is a CFA Level III candidate pursuing a Master’s in Professional Accountancy from the University of London. Alongside his professional career, he serves as one of the National Directors for Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association of Canada. In this capacity, he oversees programs that support the moral, spiritual, and personal development of youth across Canada, while also promoting service and civic engagement. As a guest speaker, Rana offers students insights into professional pathways in finance and accounting, the importance of ethics in leadership, and how discipline, service, and resilience contribute to both career success and community building. He has extensive experience mentoring students on leadership, volunteerism, and navigating identity in a multicultural society

aMIR rANA

Amna Ahmad is an educator and instructional leader whose work centers on equity, identity-affirming practice, and the academic and spiritual well-being of Muslim students. She has led system-level initiatives to create school environments where students feel seen, safe, and supported, with a focus on addressing Islamophobia in education. Amna designs and facilitates professional learning for leadership teams, educators, and preservice teachers, supporting equity-driven and culturally responsive instructional practice. With a background in science education, she brings expertise in making complex ideas accessible and engaging for diverse learners. She is committed to fostering inclusive school cultures that support the success and well-being of all learners

Amna Ahmad

Dr. Khizar Karim is the Chief General Surgery Resident at the University of Toronto and former General Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association (AMMAC) Canada. He serves on the national board of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, leading initiatives on disability equity, mental health, and youth development. With a biohealth perspective, he explores how mental health, personal growth, and identity intersect with medicine and resilience. He has delivered talks on bullying, discrimination, and cultural identity, and organizes programs such as the Golden Scalpel Tournament to promote wellness and collegiality. His editorials have appeared in national Canadian and American press, and as a speaker he inspires audiences by connecting careers in medicine with faith, service, and personal development

Dr. Khizar Karim

Dr. Mirza Tahir Ahmed is a research scientist at Epson specializing in machine vision and data science, and the founder and CEO of MV Solution Inc., a Vaughan-based company advancing industrial automation. He earned his Ph.D. in computer vision from Queen’s University, with expertise in 3D machine vision, object detection, tracking, reconstruction, and sensor localization. Widely published in academic journals, he develops cutting-edge solutions that shape fields like robotics and artificial intelligence. Alongside his professional achievements, Dr. Ahmed volunteers his time regularly to serve the community and speaks on how faith and science together can guide ethical innovation. As a guest speaker, he inspires students by connecting Muslim contributions to knowledge with modern advances in AI and technology, encouraging them to see both resilience and responsibility in pursuing STEM careers

Dr. Mirza Tahir Ahmad

Dr. Noman Hassan is a general surgeon at Niagara Health, affiliated with McMaster University, where he is known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in physiology and an MD from the University of Saskatchewan. A dedicated volunteer with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) and currently the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association (AMMAC) Canada, an organization with more than 300 medical personnel, he links his passion for medicine and service to his Islamic values. Featured in Niagara Health news, Dr. Hassan has spoken on serving humanity through both faith and professional excellence, inspiring students to see medicine as both a career and a calling. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys exploring Niagara with his wife and daughters. As a guest speaker, he engages youth on resilience, service, and navigating pathways to careers in healthcare

Dr. Noman Hassan

Farrukh Tahir is a writer and content creator whose work spans Islamic teachings, interfaith dialogue, history, morals and ethics, and contemporary issues. He is currently working for The Review of Religions, the oldest running comparative religious magazine in the world, established in 1902. He also contributes to other publications, TV channels and broadcast networks such as MTA International as a writer and speaker. His published articles explore subjects such as freedom of speech, misconceptions about Islam, service to humanity, spirituality, atheism and agnosticism, science, and world religions. Through his writing and lectures, Tahir offers a thoughtful analysis that bridges faith, scholarship, and the realities of modern life, equipping audiences with tools to better understand Islam and build tolerance towards people of varying beliefs

Farrukh Tahir

Jari Qudrat serves as a national leader for youth outreach and interfaith dialogue. His experience includes organising conferences and guiding students on tackling stereotypes with confidence and respect. He is known for his work in youth engagement, interfaith dialogue, and charity initiatives. As a leader with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA), he has organized Bring a Friend to the Mosque tours to promote understanding and coordinated charity runs that raised significant funds for Canadian hospitals and food banks. He has also addressed extremism as president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association at York University and written commentary in outlets like the Calgary Herald and The Georgia Straight. Guided by the motto “Love for all, hatred for none,” Qudrat’s work emphasizes dialogue, peace, and service to humanity

Jari Qudrat

Maliha Shahid is a public speaker and community leader who brings insight, clarity and subtle humor to conversations about faith, inclusion and Muslim identity—helping audiences learn and smile along the way. As a leader with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (Lajna Ima’illah Canada), she has led national media campaigns, delivered cultural awareness training to police services and spoken in classrooms, universities and faith-based settings across Canada. She helped launch #JeSuisHijabi, a nationwide campaign that combined interactive workshops and media outreach to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women. Maliha has presented to thousands of students and educators visiting the mosque and has also served as a recurring guest lecturer in Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity and Equity in the Workplace course. With a background in media and public relations, she helps audiences understand how headlines are shaped and how bias can influence the stories we see in the news. Her sessions unravel complex topics into approachable stories and thoughtful discussions, leading to deeper understanding and the occasional lightbulb moment

Maliha Shahid

Mustjab Qasim is a graduate of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada, where he completed a comprehensive seven-year program in Islamic theology. His work combines spiritual guidance with active community engagement, grounded in a strong scholarly foundation. Alongside his theological training, he is an accomplished Arabic calligrapher with more than a decade of experience. Primarily self-taught yet inspired by classical masters, he has developed a distinct style that bridges tradition and innovation. Mustjab has mastered the seven foundational scripts of Arabic calligraphy, hand-crafting bamboo pens (qalam) while also incorporating modern techniques. His artwork has received international recognition, with original pieces displayed in mosques and his designs used as official logos for global organizations. Through both his scholarship and artistic practice, he connects communities to the beauty of Islamic heritage and demonstrates its continued relevance today

Mustjab Qasim

Imam Qasid Warraich is a graduate of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada, a school for Islamic studies. After graduation he has spent some time in the UK, as well as field experience in Africa and Pakistan. His experiences have shaped his focus on humility, resilience, and service as foundations of leadership. Drawing from this unique training, he engages students on themes of faith, character development, and community responsibility, offering inspiring lessons on how values such as humility and service can guide young people in facing challenges and building stronger, more inclusive communities

Qasid Warraich

A seasoned community leader and public servant, Sadaf Shah brings over seven years of executive leadership experience as President of her local chapter, where she championed civic engagement and grassroots impact. As a community outreach coordinator, she is deeply committed to building bridges, strengthening communities, and advancing universal human rights Sadaf’s speaking focuses on Islamic history, and the enduring legacy of the Islamic Golden Age, drawing powerful connections between faith, knowledge, and modern society. With warmth, insight, and lived experience as a mother and grandmother, she engages audiences in meaningful dialogue that inspires reflection, learning, and purposeful action

Sadaf Shah

Tariq Mahmood is a writer with The Review of Religions, the community’s longest-running English magazine. As part of its Existence Project team and editorial board, he explores topics such as the power of prayer, forgiveness, and the existence of God, contributing articles that bridge faith, philosophy, and contemporary thought. He has co-authored pieces on outreach and interfaith dialogue and written on atheism, spirituality, and winning hearts through service. Active on digital media, Tariq uses his platform to share reflections rooted in the Ahmadiyya motto, “Love for all, hatred for none.” As a guest speaker, he helps students think critically about belief, spirituality, and ethics, encouraging them to explore life’s big questions with openness and understanding

Tariq Mahmood

Umair Khan is an influential community leader and keynote speaker who has shared his message across Jamaica, Calgary ,Vancouver, and Brampton. He has spearheaded impactful organized initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Helper campaign during COVID-19, mobilizing youth to deliver essentials to those in need, and led outreach efforts in Jamaica including police visits and student education programs. Khan has spoken at interfaith conferences in Calgary and the Okanagan Valley on whether religion is a source of peace or conflict, and frequently addresses issues such as combating drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, and the role of spirituality in resilience. His community-focused path has been highlighted in Canadian media as an example of promoting peace through faith and service

Umair Khan

Zeeshan Iqbal is a community leader and Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) for Northern Ontario, where he oversees programs for more than 500 youth across nine chapters. He has organized fundraising events that raised thousands for hospitals and food banks, and led community initiatives such as free snow removal for the elderly, blood donation drives, and road clean-ups. With over 15 years of professional experience at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), he combines professional expertise with a deep commitment to service. As a guest speaker, Iqbal inspires students to embrace resilience, leadership, and giving back to their communities, guided by the motto “Love for all, hatred for none”

Zeeshan Iqbal

Zeeshan Goraya has worked throughout Canada including Regina, Saskatchewan, where he has led outreach initiatives such as the “Meet Your Muslim Neighbours” campaign. Recognized in the Saskatchewan Legislature for his service, he has also contributed to community publications and interfaith dialogue programs. As a guest speaker, he shares lessons on building bridges across cultures, promoting openness and respect, and using dialogue and service to counter prejudice. He regularly speaks with schools, community groups, and media about Islam and identity

Zeeshan Muzaffar Goraya

Speakers

Youth Speaker Profiles

Empowering minds, inspiring hearts