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 started his career as a continual improvement professional in the manufacturing sector. He returned to university to earn his Commerce degree in business technology management at Concordia University in Montreal, where he joined the student movement and became the director of the Concordia Student Union Advocacy Centre. There he founded the office for graduate students, managed operations, and advised student leaders on student rights and academic issues.

After starting his own tech start-up that he ran for a number of years, 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 comes from an Afro-Canadian family that was active during the civil rights movement.

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.

Aasiyah Khan serves as the Vice President of Education at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a human rights and civil liberties organization dedicated to challenging Islamophobia and hate across Canada. Widely recognized as a leader in anti-Islamophobia education and advocacy, she oversees the development and delivery of initiatives that empower communities and foster inclusive learning environments.

Over the past six years, Aasiyah has designed and facilitated anti-Islamophobia training programs for more than 10,000 educators, students, and community members. She also contributed to the Peel District School Board’s groundbreaking anti-Islamophobia strategy—the first of its kind in North America—and continues to collaborate with other school boards and institutions to shape policies and strategies that address systemic discrimination.

With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work, Aasiyah’s work is firmly rooted in anti-oppressive practice. She led a research project that amplified the voices of young Muslim women in the Greater Toronto Area, highlighting both the impact of Islamophobia and the resilience within these communities. Through her role at NCCM, Aasiyah remains committed to creating transformative change in educational settings and advocating for equity and justice across Canada.

Zubair has over 15 years of experience as a seasoned leader in the non-profit and charity sector, specializing in the Muslim community. Though his focus has been within Canada, he also brings a significant level of international experience as well.

As a founding member of multiple impactful initiatives such as National Zakat Foundation Canada, Nisa Foundation, Nisa Helpline, Nisa Homes, and others, Zubair has played a pivotal role in shaping the Canadian Muslim community’s support infrastructure. His nine-year tenure as CEO of National Zakat Foundation Canada reflects his commitment to empowering and uplifting the community.

Zubair’s leadership also extends beyond executive roles, as he actively contributes to the boards of National Zakat Foundation and Nisa Foundation, channeling his passion for fostering positive change and growth within the Muslim community in Canada.

Since her formative years, Nusaiba has demonstrated keen interest and involvement in social justice issues, in particular pertaining to Muslim communities. As a registered social worker, she holds a BSW from King’s University College, where she gained experienced in both individual counselling and community development work.

Nusaiba received her Juris Doctor from Western Law, where she was the recipient of the Margaret H. McNulty Prize awarded to a student who shows great promise and where she obtained a Certificate of Mediation from the Dispute Resolution Centre. She graduated with distinction and was honoured to receive the Law Society of Upper Canada Prize for academic achievement. Following her call to the bar, Nusaiba practiced as a corporate and commercial lawyer before transitioning into human rights based and advocacy work at NCCM.

As NCCM’s Director of Legal Affairs, Nusaiba is responsible for helping community members seeking legal assistance in matters related to Islamophobia, hate and discrimination and for developing legal and policy solutions for a more just and inclusive Canada.

Karine Devost has over two decades of legal experience gaining deep insight into the legal issues impacting Canadian Muslim communities.

As a long-standing member of the Ottawa Muslim community, Karine has been active in providing strategic advice to a wide range of community members. She has also been a highly sought-after speaker on various issues in Ottawa’s mosques and other Muslim spaces.

Before joining NCCM, Karine’s private law practice strongly emphasized the representation of victims in motor vehicle accidents, as well as their family members. Karine ensured that their rights were respected at every step of the litigation process.

Karine is eager to use her extensive experience to provide advocacy support to Muslims and their communities. She obtained her LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and was called to the Ontario bar in 2001. Karine is fluent in French and English.

Fatema Abdalla is NCCM’s Senior Advocacy Officer. She graduated with a degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Ottawa in 2020 and is committed to advocating for marginalized communities.

In Ottawa, Fatema was actively involved as a volunteer and community leader on campus and in local politics, gaining experience in the non-profit, public service, and campaign sectors.

Before joining NCCM, Fatema mobilized youth and Canadian Muslims as a Campaign Communications Coordinator at TCMV, a Communications Assistant for the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, and a Junior Analyst at the Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs Unit in the Department of Justice.

Rizwan Mohammad graduated from the University of Toronto specializing in Islamic Studies. Prior to joining NCCM, he conducted research on Islamic thought and Muslim life, educated leaders of Muslim Students’ Associations, and served a diverse array of Muslim-led community organizations across Canada.

For over 10 years, Rizwan managed national civic engagement projects focusing on mobilizing youth and community leaders in active citizenship and to engage in service learning activities designed to strengthen civil society. As NCCM’s Advocacy Officer, Rizwan advocates for advancements in public policy nationally in service of the goal of eradicating Islamophobia and promoting justice for all Canadians.

Ibrahim Hussain is NCCM’s Community Engagement Officer in Ontario. Previously, he was NCCM’s team lead for Mississauga. Ibrahim grew up in the GTA and has been involved with the Muslim community since his teenage years. His engagement with the community on various topics, including issues affecting Canadian Muslims, first started when he was heading his high school MSA. Ibrahim volunteered as a speaker and instructor locally until he went to pursue post secondary studies overseas. After completing academics in the areas of Arabic Language and Islamic sciences, he returned home to teach, all the while pursuing further credentials in Commercial Operations. Ibrahim then built an Operations and Project Coordination career across various private sectors.

Ibrahim’s first passion has always been to bring people together through storytelling. He loves to connect with people through his multilingual ability and is dedicated to being a strong voice for Canadian Muslims. In his spare time, Ibrahim enjoys spending time with family, winding down with his favorite shows and games, and catching up on the latest in the world of Psychology and Business/Finance.

Jannat Firdous is the Manager of Education Programs at NCCM, where she draws on her background as an educator to foster safe and inclusive learning environments for Muslim students, staff and communities. Passionate about empowering Muslim identities in Canadian schools, Jannat is dedicated to providing tools for identifying and challenging systemic inequalities, including Islamophobia, that impact educational experiences. At NCCM, she leads anti-Islamophobia workshops and advocates for the needs of Muslim identities, ensuring they feel safe and welcomed in all educational settings.

Said Omar is the National Council of Canadian Muslims Alberta Advocacy Officer.

A graduate of the Bachelor of Arts program from York University, Said has many years of experience working in the non- profit sector, with a primary focus on community engagement, employment preparedness for underprivileged communities, and professional relationships building with community partners and leaders. He is a human rights advocate with a strong passion for social justice, as well as a firm believer in building sustainable communities.

Prior to joining NCCM, Said had attained many years volunteering in various roles serving the inner-city communities of Edmonton. Through his community outreach efforts, Said has worked on multiple projects and developed positive working relationships with diverse organizations throughout his career.

Said’s core guiding philosophy is that community empowerment is the most effective strategy in creating tangible change within a community.

Reem Sheet is a driven strategic communications and public affairs professional with experience in government, advocacy, community, and political strategy. Currently serving as the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, Senior Principal at NCCM, Reem specializes in public relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining NCCM, Reem served as a Press Secretary to a federal cabinet minister and held various communications roles in the private sector.

Reem holds a Master of Education in Education, Leadership and Policy from OISE, University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English & Cultural Studies and Philosophy from McMaster University.

Steven Zhou has worked as a journalist and writer focusing on national security, politics, foreign affairs, and far-right extremism for the past decade. He has been a reporter, editor, producer, and script writer for VICE, CBC News, CBC Radio, and the Ottawa Citizen. His work has appeared in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Foreign Policy, the LA Review of Books, and The Nation, among other outlets. He has a Master of Journalism degree from Carleton University and a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Toronto. When not sleeping or working, Steven is overly preoccupied by his NBA basketball fantasy leagues.

With almost 10 years of experience as a community service worker and facilitator, Fosia is a highly skilled and resourceful professional with a career in supporting children, youth and adults explore their potential for healing, resistance and growth while interfacing with institutional systems.

She has led a range of research, communications and administrative projects with Midaynta Community Services, The Black Experience Project, and Lead Agency Strides Toronto. Additionally, she is also one of the first Somali-targeted Youth Outreach Workers in the provincial program.

As a trauma and healing informed practitioner, Fosia is very experienced in dealing with domestic violence, human trafficking, immigration and settlement, youth justice and crisis intervention. She strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental and empathic space for all.

Fosia utilizes relational cultural approaches driven by connection and community in much of her work. Fosia holds an Honours Bachelors of Arts, specializing in Sociology.

When not at work, you can find her listening to podcasts, catching up with friends over a good meal or keeping up with comedy specials.

Ishmam Sarker joins the NCCM team as the Content Creator.

He holds a BDes in Graphic Design from OCAD University. Ishmam is a big advocate of using the power of design and visual communication to make sure that communities are heard and understood–to spread awareness about inequality and mistreatment.

In his spare time Ishmam likes to build on his creativity by doing photography, volunteering in creative workshops, watching movies, as well as being consumed by wanderlust.

Sadaf is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion. Her research explores the formation of contemporary Islam in North America under conditions of modernity and diaspora. It has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Jackman Humanities Institute, and the Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion.

She has publications featured in the volume “Producing Islam(s) in Canada: Knowledge, Positionality, and Politics” (University of Toronto Press), as well as the University of Toronto’s Institute of Islamic Studies’ Reading Muslims project. She currently sits on the council of the Canadian Association for the Study of Islam and Muslims (CASIM), a national body that fosters intellectual exchange for scholars of Islam in a range of disciplines across Canada.

Sadaf has held various organizing and advocacy roles, including as co-chair of the inaugural anti-racism committee of the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion, as a member of the Manitoba Islamic Association’s Islamophobia Committee, and in grassroots initiatives focused on countering anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian sentiment across Manitoban and Canadian institutions.

Haseeb Hassaan is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Ottawa. As an Ontario Certified Teacher Haseeb has worked with teachers and students to ensure students have a safe and positive learning environment. Before entering education, he worked at the City of Toronto, the House of Commons, and the United Nations in various positions. Outside of his professional work Haseeb works to elevate the voices of young Muslims through mentorship and dedicates his time to his local community, all while cheering for his favourite football team the New Orleans Saints.

Athar Khan is NCCM’s Senior Development Officer.

With a global academic journey spanning five countries and encompassing ten educational institutions, his passion for learning has shaped a diverse and enriching foundation. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, he honed his expertise in Human Resources and Marketing through dual specialization while studying in the vibrant city of Dubai. Then pursued a post-graduate degree in International Business Management from Niagara and Human Resources through another post-graduate degree acquired in Toronto.

His professional journey has been equally diverse, From a Retail-focused private firm to making meaningful strides within a registered charity in downtown Toronto.

However, driven by a fervent dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue, championing Muslim initiatives, and uplifting communities through impactful social work, he consistently strives to create positive change.

Growing up in the Montreal area, Yasser has been active with his local community since he was a teenager. He later joined the MSA of the University of Montreal, where he led several educational projects that uplifted the intellectual and spiritual fulfillment of Muslim students on campus.

Yasser is currently completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and Business IT from HEC Montreal. Prior to joining NCCM, he worked in the financial services sector, where he acquired valuable interpersonal and communication skills. In his spare time, Yasser enjoys learning about many things—including catching up with the latest world news, without ever being short on time to invest in his passion for soccer.

Manal Alsaieq is a linguistics graduate from Concordia University. Her academic background has fueled her passion for discovering new languages and understanding their mechanics. Prior to joining NCCM, Manal held a position in the banking sector, where she managed a team dedicated to fraud prevention. Alongside her professional career, she has been actively involved in volunteering within the local Montreal Muslim community, contributing to meaningful initiatives that positively impact people’s lives. Joining NCCM as an administrative assistant has allowed Manal to merge her professional expertise with her personal values, emphasizing her commitment to advocacy, social justice, and fostering positive change within the muslim communities.

Thierno holds a BA in Linguistics & Translations from Kuwait University, a Diploma in Communications and Media Studies at Algonquin College, Ottawa, and a Degree in Political Science from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax.

He also has over 10 years of teaching experience across several countries, including in elementary and secondary schools, as well as adult program in various community centres.

Thierno also has a wealth of experience in community engagement with various community leaders, youth, human rights activists and environmental advocates.

He believes passionately in social justice where taking collective action for systemic change can address the root causes of social inequality.

At the heart of Thierno’s approach is connecting with other people. Whether it’s discussing the weather, current events, social issues, new inventions, climate change or simply exchanging insights, he always lends an ear.

Thierno also loves playing soccer and travelling in his spare time

Ahmad Al Qadi is NCCM’s Advocacy Officer. Raised in Ottawa, Ahmad draws inspiration from local community leaders who bring people together to drive toward a common cause, whether it is a charity drive, or an arts and cultural event, or standing for justice.

Ahmad has a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English from Carleton University. He served as the President of the Carleton MSA, the largest student organization of the university which represented over 4000 Muslims on campus. During his tenure as MSA President, Ahmad led his team on several initiatives including social activities, Islamic lectures and workshops and more. As one of the Coordinator’s for Islam Awareness Week in Carleton University, Ahmad built and led a team of over 150 volunteers to address misconceptions about Islam alongside his colleagues.

Ahmad has served the broader Ottawa Muslim community as a dedicated volunteer in language classes, charity work, and religious services. He aspires to pursue a career in law and play his part in upholding justice and standing up for those without a voice.

Omer Kamal is the Advocacy Volunteer Lead at NCCM. He is a policy analyst with a strong foundation in Human Rights & Social Justice, having graduated from Carleton University. Raised in Ottawa, Omer has always been committed to public service and community engagement within the Muslim and interfaith community. He has served in a variety of leadership roles including leading the Friday sermons at a variety of mosques in the Ottawa/Gatineau area.

Throughout his career, he has contributed to significant policy initiatives at the Public Health Agency of Canada, focusing on public health regulations and post-COVID-19 conditions. Previously, Omer worked on labor market policies for persons with disabilities at Employment and Social Development Canada and played a key role in immigration case management with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

Outside of the public sector, Omer founded a successful editorial and marketing company in the entertainment industry that dedicates itself to making a difference in representation and charity campaigns for a variety of causes. Omer continues to be an active voice in their community as a religious student of knowledge. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball and loves spending time with his family.

Basmah holds a Master of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and served as the school’s MSA President where she led advocacy efforts among the university administration, developed partnerships with the broader community, and led a team of 50 volunteers. She has been the recipient of several awards and scholarships, including the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award and the Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Throughout her academic journey, Basmah became increasingly aware of the lack of understanding surrounding Muslim issues. To address this, she published articles in the Varsity, UofT’s newspaper and, in 2020, founded Humans of the Ummah (with the UofT MSA), which highlights the ongoing realities faced by Muslims locally and globally.

Basmah has also participated in advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of the Muslim community on Parliament Hill, at Queens Park and at many other avenues.

When she’s not on Zoom calls, Basmah enjoys cross-stitching, embroidery, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Sarah is a dedicated legal advocate with extensive interest in community work and politics, particularly in the areas of international relations and human rights.

She has worked at a law firm specializing in class actions, a role that has allowed her to develop extensive experience in communications, translation, and administration, further honing her skills in advocacy and legal support.

Sarah is also deeply engaged in her master’s research project, which examines decision-makers’ responses to humanitarian crises and the role of humanitarianism in interventions. This research aligns with her passion for understanding and improving international responses to global conflicts and crises.

Sarah is a Political Science graduate from Concordia University and will soon obtain her postgraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo.