Schedule
5:00 PM – Open Registration
5:30 PM – Welcome & Seating
5:45 PM – Magrib Prayer
6:05 PM – Opening Remarks & Dinner Served
6:35 PM – Speakers Continue
7:45 PM – Community Leader Awards & Dessert
8:50 PM – Closing Remarks & Isha Prayer
Location
Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom, Ohio Union
1739 N High St.
Columbus, OH 43210
Schedule
5:00 PM – Open Registration
5:30 PM – Welcome & Seating
5:45 PM – Magrib Prayer
6:05 PM – Opening Remarks & Dinner Served
6:35 PM – Speakers Continue
7:45 PM – Community Leader Awards & Dessert
8:50 PM – Closing Remarks & Isha Prayer
Location
Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom, Ohio Union
1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210
About The Speakers
Linda Sarsour
Linda Sarsour is an accomplished activist and community organizer, widely recognized for her tireless work in the areas of civil rights, racial justice, and social activism. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she co-founded the Women’s March on Washington, leading what became the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. In addition to her leadership in the Women’s March, Sarsour has been a prominent advocate for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform, and the inclusion of Muslim holidays in New York City’s public schools. She is the co-founder of MPower Change, a grassroots movement empowering Muslim Americans, and Until Freedom, a racial justice organization. Honored by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Sarsour continues to inspire through her strategic campaigns and dedication to justice for marginalized communities.
Nihad Awad
Nihad Awad is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization. Since its inception in 1994, Awad has played a pivotal role in advocating for the civil liberties of Muslims, combating Islamophobia, and promoting interfaith understanding. A respected voice in both national and international media, Awad has testified before Congress on issues affecting Muslims in America and has collaborated with U.S. leaders on civil rights initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering dialogue and building bridges between diverse communities, earning him recognition as one of the world’s most influential Muslims
Jana Al-Akhras
Jana Al-Akhras is an attorney and community advocate from Columbus, Ohio. She earned her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, following an undergraduate degree in International Studies with a specialization in Middle East Studies, and minors in Arabic and International Relations & Foreign Diplomacy. Al-Akhras has been featured on ABC, BBC, and Al Jazeera, discussing topics such as American politics, Palestine-Israel relations, and the American-Muslim identity. She serves as board secretary for the Columbus Fashion Council, emphasizing community engagement and representation.
Sheik
Horsed Noah
Sheikh Horsed Noah is an Islamic scholar and community leader based in Columbus, Ohio. He serves as the Director of the Abubakar Asiddiq Islamic Center and is a spokesperson for Somali Islamic Centers of Ohio. In May 2019, he led an interfaith prayer to open a Columbus City Council meeting, highlighting his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue. Sheikh Noah is also recognized for his lectures on contemporary issues affecting the Muslim community, such as his discussion on “The Islamic Way of Managing Depression.” His leadership and outreach efforts have made significant contributions to the spiritual and social well-being of the Muslim community in Ohio
Imam
Imran Salha
Imam Imran Salha Imam Imran Salha is a hafidh of the Qur’an and community leader who has served as an Imam at several institutions across America for the past decade and is currently serving as the Imam of one of the most active masajid in the Metro Detroit area, the Islamic Center of Detroit. He is of Palestinian origin from Deir Jareer in the West Bank. Imran was born and raised in New Jersey and took advantage of the scholars in his locality while growing up; with them, he completed classical texts in various Islamic Sciences. He holds numerous ijazaat in Shafi’i Fiqh, has led Taraweeh since he was 16 years old, is a Certified Construction Manager, Business Owner, first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Minnesota.
