Qur'aan & Salawaat Recital

Abdul Kabeer Niazi is an Imam and Qur’aan teacher, holding Ijazah in Tajweed and in the Seven Qira'at.

He has served as Imam at Feltham Hira Centre and has led Taraweeh prayers in numerous masaajid across the UK.

He currently teaches at the Imam Shatibi Institute and previously taught at Safar Academy, with a focus on accurate and authentic Qur'aanic recitation.

Session One

Chair: Masaajid of the Future - Challenges and Solutions

Iqbal Nasim is an educator, podcaster, and strategic adviser dedicated to promoting truth, meaning, connection, and transformation. In 2025, he launched the In Good Faith podcast, followed by The Public Forum, its live public conversation series.

He has developed and taught courses on prayer (*Transform My Prayer*), leadership (*Last Day Leader*), and revelation (*Club Revelation*), and has mentored leaders across social ventures of varying scale.

Previously, he served as CEO of the National Zakat Foundation (2012–2021) and co-founded Funders In Good (2021–2024), alongside a prior career in investment banking. He was awarded an MBE in 2019. Iqbal studied at University of Cambridge and holds an MSc from Bayes Business School.

Session One

Masaajid of the Future - Challenges and Solutions

Mr Nasar Mahmood OBE is a British business leader, entrepreneur, and civic figure with over 30 years of executive experience across textile manufacturing, wholesale fashion, and property development. He is Managing Director of Fabuline Limited and Chairman of Isra Developments Limited, leading sustained growth and commercial success across multiple economic cycles.

Alongside his business career, he has spent nearly two decades in senior roles within charitable, cultural, and educational institutions across the UK, with a focus on community cohesion, heritage, education, and interfaith engagement. He has also served as a Board Member of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Session One

Masaajid of the Future - Challenges and Solutions

Ajmal Masroor is a British imam, author, broadcaster, and public figure engaged in faith leadership and civic discourse. Together with his wife, he co-runs the Barefoot Institute, supporting Muslim couples through marriage guidance, mediation, counselling, and divorce support.

He has an extensive background in media, contributing to UK television and radio, and has presented programmes on Islam Channel and Channel S, including Let’s Talk, as well as participating in panel discussions such as Shariah TV on Channel 4.

In earlier roles, he served as Chair of the Islamic Society of Britain (2016–2019), Chair of ChildrenPlus, and Director of Communities in Action. He also stood as a parliamentary candidate in UK general elections, reflecting his engagement in public and political life.

Session One

Masaajid of the Future - Challenges and Solutions

Toufik Kacimi is the Chief Executive Officer of Muslim Welfare House, where he leads one of the UK’s most established community organisations. With extensive experience in the charitable and social impact sector, he has overseen the development and expansion of services supporting vulnerable individuals and families, including welfare provision, advice services, and community programmes.

Under his leadership, the organisation has strengthened its role in addressing poverty, social exclusion, and community needs in London and beyond.

He is recognised for his strategic approach to service delivery, partnership building, and sustainable organisational growth.

Session One

Masaajid of the Future - Challenges and Solutions

Ustadh Nisar Shaikh works full-time as an IT Technical Architect at Government Digital Services (GDS).
He is an accomplished martial artist, holding a 3rd degree black belt in Jiu-jitsu.

He founded Osswa Jiu-jitsu and has over 20 years’ teaching experience across all levels, from children to MMA fighters.

An author of Prophetic Grappling and Take What He Gives You, he was awarded Muslim Sports Foundation “Male Sports Coach of the Year 2024”.
He also serves as a Muslim Chaplain at Royal Holloway University London and is the founding trustee of Masjid Nuh, the first purpose-built mosque in Spelthorne, Surrey established in 2012.

Session Two

Chair: Forging Our Youth - The Mantle of Responsibility

Ayub Seedat is the Chief Executive Officer of Here for Youth, with over 15 years’ experience in the Muslim charity sector. He has worked with leading outreach, education, and community development organisations globally, with a strong focus on youth engagement and grassroots impact.

In the UK, he oversees a network of more than 110 mosques and community centres, supporting over 1,000 trained youth leaders and enabling structured engagement for approximately 6,600 teenagers each week within their local communities.

His work emphasises the role of mosques as underutilised community assets. He advocates for their transformation into accessible youth hubs—safe, culturally competent spaces that foster identity, mentorship, and positive development, equipping young people with the confidence and character needed for long-term success.

Session Two

Forging Our Youth - The Mantle of Responsibility

Muhammad Husain Kazi is an Imam at the Ashford and Staines Community Centre where he leads programmes, classes, and community events. He is also a Qur’anic Studies Lecturer at Cambridge Muslim College. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge.

He completed his Hifz and Alimiyyah at Darul Uloom Bury, continued his specialisation studies in Jordan, earned a Leadership Diploma from Cambridge Muslim College, a Master’s degree from the SOAS University of London, and a Masters from the University of Oxford.

He previously served as an imam at Masjid-e-Umer and has taught at Lantern of Knowledge, Seekers Guidance, Ebrahim College, and the Ribat Institute.

Session Two

Forging Our Youth - The Mantle of Responsibility

Shaykh Omar Hajaj is a UK-based imam, youth worker, and community leader, and the founder of Yaseen Youth Development. He has over a decade of experience working with Muslim youth, specialising in education, mentoring, and structured community programmes.

He studied Anthropology before pursuing formal Islamic studies at the Islamic University of Madinah. His earlier roles include Youth Director at Al Muntada Al Islami, Executive Committee member of Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), and PR Manager at Muslim Research and Development Foundation.

Since founding Yaseen Youth in 2016, he has led initiatives focused on youth leadership, faith development, and positive engagement at a grassroots level.

Session Two

Forging Our Youth - The Mantle of Responsibility

Shaykh Abdullah Hasan is an Islamic scholar, psychologist, counsellor, and community leader with over 20 years of service. He holds advanced qualifications in Islamic theology, fiqh, ifta, tafsir, hadith, and Arabic, studied fully in Arabic in Europe and Jordan under renowned scholars.

He later specialised in psychotherapy and counselling, completed an MSc in Applied Psychology, and is currently a PsyD researcher. He integrates Islamic principles with evidence-based psychology, supporting clients with trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and marital issues.

He has served as an Imam across the UK and is Founder of Imams Against Domestic Abuse, Chair of British Board of Scholars & Imams and Global Imams & Scholars Council, and Director of Association of Islamic Mental Health Specialists.

Session Two

Forging Our Youth - The Mantle of Responsibility

With a strong background in leadership and education, Mr Sarim Syed currently serves as Head of Operations at KMY, overseeing strategic and day-to-day functions to drive organisational success.

Previously, he was Head of Academy, managing teachers, programmes, and student development to ensure high-quality learning outcomes.

His leadership journey also includes serving as President of the Students’ Union, where he represented over 18,000 students and acted as a university governor. This diverse experience reflects a commitment to operational excellence, youth advocacy, and impactful leadership across both academic and organisational settings.

Session Three

Not So Charitable? - Navigating Legal Structures

Jahangir Mohammed is the CEO of Communica Consulting and the founding Director of the Ayaan Institute, a UK-based think tank established in 2020. Communica has advised and represented over 350 charities and mosques over the past decade.

He is the author of Ayaan’s report, “Aiding the Ummah: Analysing the Muslim Humanitarian Charity Sector in the UK,” and its latest report, “Mosques in Britain 2025: A Landmark study of faith infrastructure.”

He has also written 13 geopolitical reports or assessments for lawyers involved in terrorism cases.

Session Three

Not So Charitable? Navigating Legal Structures

Mr Asim Mahmood has been involved with the Karima Al Mawaziyya Foundation for over 20 years. During his time at the charity Asim has supported as part of the management committee and has been a trustee for over 10 years.

As a trustee Asim contributes to matters relating to the charities governance, including leading on the adoption and renewal of policies, and ensuring the charity operates in line with its charitable objectives. Day to day, Asim takes a lead role in the scouts, archery and Jiu Jitsu provision at the Karima Foundation.

Session Three

Not So Charitable? - Navigating Legal Structures

Dr Riyaz Timol is a Research Fellow at Cardiff University’s Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK. His research examines religious authority in contemporary societies, intergenerational transmission of Islam in Britain, and Islam’s relationship with modernity, using a sociology of religion perspective and ethnographic methodology.

He is Principal Investigator of Understanding British Imams and Co-Investigator of Science and the Transmission of Islamic Knowledge in Britain. He also co-edited a special issue of Religions on Leadership, Authority and Representation in British Muslim Communities, advancing scholarship on religious leadership and community dynamics.

Session Three

Not So Charitable? - Navigating Legal Structures

Mohammed Junaid Akhtar is a respected community leader with extensive experience in the charity sector. He has held trustee and senior leadership roles across well‑known charities throughout the country. Currently working for a statutory organisation as a safeguarding expert, he combines expertise in charity law, governance and finance with a strong commitment to justice through his role as a Magistrate Judge.

His achievements include developing innovative safeguarding frameworks for faith‑based charities and securing increased funding for community initiatives. At a number if chairites, he has strengthened governance, financial resilience and delivered cost savings.

Session Three

Not So Charitable? - Navigating Legal Structures

Mr Augustus Della-Porta is a charity lawyer with nearly 20 years’ experience advising on commercial and charity law matters for not-for-profits in the UK and overseas. He is particularly passionate about working with Muslim organisations and the Muslim community having lived in the Syria and Palestine for some years where he studied Arabic and reverted to Islam.

He advises on a wide range of legal issues facing charities, including legal and governance structuring, regulatory investigations, fundraising and investment, including managing zakat and sadaqah donations and setting up waqf funds and endowments, sanctions and counter-terrorism and funding/operating safely in high risk jurisdictions.

Augustus was recognized as a key lawyer for charities by the Legal 500 2024. He is a trustee of Yaqeen Research UK and Educate a Child International and is involved in a number of local and international initiatives supporting the Muslim community.

Session Four

Chair: Beyond The Bucket - Towards Financial Sustainability

Mr Umer Suleman is Chief Risk Officer and Global Head of Compliance & Shariah at Wahed. He began his career at Ernst & Young, before holding senior roles at HSBC and Daiwa Investment Management.

Alongside his executive role, he serves on the boards of the Islamic Finance Council UK, Cambridge Muslim College, and the Legal Assurance Network, and is co-founder of the National Waqf. He also advises Islamic fintech startups and contributes to the Islamic Finance Advisory Scholars Council.

Recognised by Brummell magazine as “One to Watch” in 2016, he holds a degree from Royal Holloway, University of London and postgraduate training from Manchester Business School and Harvard University. He is a published author and international speaker, and regularly contributes to major media outlets on Islamic finance and leadership.

Session Four

Beyond The Bucket - Towards Financial Sustainability

Closing Remarks “Excellence”

Shaykh Salman Hasan is a British scholar and legal professional specialising in the intersection of Shariah and ethical finance. He is a qualified Solicitor, having practised at an international law firms across the UK and the Middle East, and holds an LLB from the London School of Economics (LSE). He complements his legal training with Shariah studies in Syria and Egypt and is a Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA), accredited by AAOIFI.

As Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of Pfida, Shaykh Salman is a leading figure in the Islamic fintech space, pioneering debt-free, Shariah-compliant financial solutions. Through his professional practice and public lectures, he is dedicated to advancing financial literacy and providing ethical alternatives to conventional banking.

Session Four

Beyond The Bucket - Towards Financial Sustainability

Mr Dilowar Khan was the former Executive Director of East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre. He served the Mosque for over 21 years and overseen its development, services and administration. He is currently the Executive Director of Muslim Community Association, a national Muslim organisation working for the development of the Muslim Community in UK.

He also served as the President of Muslim Community Association from 2011 - 2015. In his youth he served as the General Secretary of Young Muslim Organisation UK and also founded the Tower Hamlets College Islamic Society back in 1990. He also served as the Secretary of South Bank University Islamic Society. He is also involved in inter-faith work and initiatives promoting common good.

Session Four

Beyond The Bucket - Towards Financial Sustainability

Mr Fezaan Azam is the Director of Cambridge Central Mosque, responsible for the day‑to‑day management and strategic development of the facility. In this role, he leads operational activities, supports administrative staff and volunteers, and works to ensure that the mosque’s spiritual, educational, and community services run effectively. The Cambridge Central Mosque is noted as Europe’s first eco‑friendly mosque and serves as both a place of worship and a community hub for local residents and visitors.

Co-Hosts: UK National Summit 2026

Mr Hassan Muhammed (left) is a chartered accountant, working as a Senior Analyst for the National Audit Office (NAO).

Dr Hussain Muhammed (right) is a qualified doctor, working as a trainee General Practitioner for the National Health Service (NHS).

The identical twin brothers are the Tarbiyah Twins, who will be the hosts of the UK National Summit 2026.