speakers

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of 'Head to Head' on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of 'Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking'. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and columnist for The Intercept.

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Dr. Myriam François is a journalist, filmmaker, and writer committed to exploring cultural, social, and religious issues. With a DPhil from the University of Oxford, she has produced acclaimed documentaries such as The Truth About Muslim Marriage and A Deadly Warning: Srebrenica Revisited.

As the founder of MPWR Productions, Dr. François amplifies minority voices through storytelling. A regular speaker at international conferences, she engages in dialogues that promote understanding and representation. Her commitment to education and advocacy continues to influence global discussions on religion, culture, and identity.

Dr. Mohammed Tahir is a renowned orthopedic and peripheral nerve surgeon based in London, whose work extends beyond the operating room into the realm of humanitarian action. As Chief of Surgery at FAJR Scientific and an FRCS, Dr. Tahir combines his surgical expertise with a deep commitment to improving healthcare access in crisis-affected regions.

Driven by a profound sense of justice, he felt compelled to respond to the escalating crisis in Gaza following the events of October 2023. His motto, “If not me, who?” reflects his unwavering dedication to making a difference. In April 2024, Dr. Tahir embarked on his first humanitarian mission, crossing into Rafah just before the blockades began.

Through his leadership at FAJR and his courage in times of crisis, Dr. Tahir continues to inspire others to contribute their skills and resources to communities in need, embodying the spirit of selfless service and resilience.

Cherien Dabis is a Palestinian American filmmaker and actor who has established herself as a creative force across a variety of mediums. Having helped forge a new genre of Arab American storytelling, she brings authenticity, complexity, and humanity to the stories she writes, directs, and performs, spotlighting underrepresented perspectives with humor and humanity.

Up next, Dabis serves as the writer, director, producer, and star of the highly anticipated feature film “All That’s Left of You,” which will have its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film is an inter-generational epic about a mother who recounts the series of events that leads her teen to confront Israeli soldiers at a West Bank protest, starting with his grandfather’s forced displacement.

Dabis got her start with her trailblazing debut feature “Amreeka,” which she wrote and directed. Exploring the immigrant journey of a Palestinian single mother, the film had its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival before going on to win the coveted FIPRESCI International Critics Prize in the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes. It won a dozen more international awards and was nominated for a Best Picture Gotham Award, three Independent Spirit Awards including Best Picture, Best First Screenplay and Best Actress, and was named one of the Top Ten Independent Films of the Year by the National Board of Review. The film landed Dabis on Variety’s “Ten Directors to Watch” list that same year.

A true multi-hyphenate, Dabis made her acting debut when she starred opposite Bill Pullman and Alia Shawkat in her second feature film, 2013 Sundance opener “May in the Summer,” which she also wrote and directed. The film is a dramedy about a Palestinian American writer who returns home to reconnect with her roots.

Dabis has also showcased her signature approach into television, executive producing and directing standout episodes of the Golden Globe award-winning comedy “Ramy” and guest starring in Netflix’s Gotham and Peabody award-winning comedy “Mo.” In 2022, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series’ for the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking episode “The Boy From 6B” on Hulu’s hit show “Only Murders in the Building”, starring comedy legends Steve Martin,Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Variety hailed the dialogue-free episode of television told from the point of view of a deaf character as “the episode of the year” and “a tour de force of directorial achievement.” In addition to directing additional standout episodes in season two and three, Dabis’ television directorial credits also include episodes of Netflix’s Ozark. Her acting credits include Prime Video’s “Fallout” and Apple TV+’s “Extrapolations.”

Dabis resides in New York City.

State Representative Sam Rasoul made history in 2014 as Virginia’s first Muslim legislator, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing as the son of Palestinian immigrants in Appalachia. A dedicated public servant, Sam champions policies that prioritize the well-being of everyday Virginians and the health of the planet.

As Chairman of the House Education Committee and a member of the Appropriations and Public Safety Committees, Sam works to address critical issues affecting his constituents. Beyond his legislative role, he is a professional in Organizational Development, helping businesses create sustainable growth strategies.

A passionate advocate for justice, Sam uses his platform to raise awareness about global human rights issues, including the crisis in Gaza. Guided by his values of Truth, Love, and Grit, he remains committed to fostering understanding and creating a more equitable world.

Dr. Nasser is the Co-founder and CEO of FAJR Scientific, a distinguished leader in Exploration & Development geophysics and has contributed over two decades of his career to the oil & gas industry. He has served as the Shell Subject Matter Expert on 4D seismic, focusing on time-lapse rock physics and reservoir characterization. He's collaborated with major and mid-size independent Oil & Gas companies,creating successful exploration strategies and field development plans.

In addition to his vast industry experience, Dr. Nasser runs his own consulting Oil & Gas business, providing vital technical and business advice to Oil & Gas companies, particularly those in the Atlantic margins and the US Gulf of Mexico. He has served as the chairman of the editorial board for The Leading Edge magazine, and is a member of the SEG publications committee, further demonstrating his commitment to the advancement particularly Research and Development of his field.

Dr. Nasser has been driving FAJR’s exponential growth since December 2022. Under his leadership, FAJR has successfully organized numerous medical and surgical missions to Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and soon Pakistan. He has also established strong relationships and partnerships with key organizations and government entities to support and expand FAJR’s global reach and operations.

Dr. Khaled J. Saleh is the co-founder and Chairman of FAJR; a distinguished board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and joint replacement, with a career bolstered by nearly $7 million in grant funding and over 200 scientific publications. He completed his medical degree at the University of Western Ontario, followed by postgraduate training at the University of Toronto. Saleh then completed his fellowship in adult joint reconstruction from the Hospital of Special Surgery.

Dr. Saleh has held prestigious roles including faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Division Chief of Adult Reconstruction at the University of Virginia, and Chair of the Division of Orthopedics at Southern Illinois University. He developed the Lower-Extremity Activity Scale (LEAS) and collaborated with Aesculap on the innovative VEGA knee implant. Active in major orthopaedic societies and a member of numerous professional organizations, Dr. Saleh's work has significantly advanced orthopaedic surgery and improved patient outcomes globally.

Imam Shahir Raslan is a passionate activist, motivational speaker, and the president of Al-Ihsan Masjid in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from Homs, Syria, he has dedicated his career to supporting humanitarian causes and fostering community engagement. Through collaborations with organizations like the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and Islamic Relief, Shahir has played a key role in impactful initiatives that improve lives locally and globally.

In 2016, he was honored with the Huda Al Masri Humanitarian Award, recognizing his commitment to service. Known for his ability to inspire and unite communities, Shahir continues to advocate for social justice and meaningful change.

Reverend Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel is the Founder and Executive Director of the Atlanta Ministry with International Students at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Kafr Yasif in the Galilee to Christian Palestinian parents, he has spent decades building bridges between communities through interfaith dialogue and humanitarian efforts.

An ordained Presbyterian minister since 1978, Dr. Abu-Akel has led global mission trips to countries like Kenya, Haiti, and Brazil, and has served in leadership roles, including Moderator of the 214th General Assembly. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Clergy of the Year Award and the National Presbyterian Men’s 2003 Man of the Year honor. His work embodies a lifelong dedication to peace, education, and understanding.

Born and raised in Gaza. Fifi Saba is an International Grants expert focusing on the Middle East and West Africa. Fifi has fourteen years of experience in international grant-making, grant implementation, partnership’s capacity building, project management, and program development. Fifi worked with civil society organizations in the Middle East and Africa, especially in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, to support their efforts in promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice. In the past, Fifi managed the US Election Exchange Program for Women & Politics Institute, American University. Fifi is passionate about grassroots development, refugee affairs, and nonprofit, and she strives to empower the voices and visions of the people she works with. She is also an advocate for Palestine and is part of the DC council for ceasefire and been advocating in Congress. Fifi is passionate about art and folklore dance and storytelling. Growing up, Fifi was a folklore dancer in Gaza. She believes in the power of story and she has many to tell about Palestine.