Speaker Portfolio

Thinking of covering a story about Islam and/or the Muslim community? Provide culturally sensitive and accurate information by inviting a Muslim speaker to comment on the current issue you are covering.

In an atmosphere of heightened fear about who Muslims are and what Islam represents, allowing Muslims to provide answers to common questions people may have about their faith or community is not only the just thing to do, it’s a step that will lead to more inclusive programming that speaks to broader audiences.

Since 2016, IRG has seen an increased demand of our presentations. Our speakers are a trusted resource to provide accurate, relevant information about Islam and Muslim community in a fresh and dynamic ways.

IRG Speakers Bureau consists of 35 certified speakers. See some of them featured below.

Consider inviting one of our many accomplished speakers for your next segment or show providing in-depth analysis on a small, but rapidly growing demographic of Minnesota and America.

Raghda Skeik

Speakers Biography

Being born, raised, and living in three different continents, Raghda gets inspired by every aspect, place, time, and motion. Art in general takes her mind to places where she can ponder for hours. Raghda’s love of nature, living things, and traveling to distant lands are emphasized in her art. She’s a self taught painter and a multi-language calligrapher with a Nursing degree title. She often chooses a message to convey in a painting before choosing the subject matter. However; Raghda would use divergent materials and techniques to create phases of progression throughout her work while preserving the main methodology. Seeking sophisticated details and depth, Raghda leans toward realism even though she has represented abstract and impressionism as well. As a believer that art can bring people together, and be the gate toward unifying our differences, Raghda has a series that represents part of her identity to show the beauty of the common ground among religions. She has been exhibiting her work in the state of Minnesota since 2018 as well as in Wisconsin and Chicago, and her work was recognized and awarded on multiple occasions. Currently, Raghda is working on her new portrait series _ The Survivors _ painting people’s stories to share the world. Raghda is proud to call herself a self taught artist! She learns everyday with every art piece evolving her artistic skills to a higher level. Moreover, she is committed to passing on my knowledge to her students on a daily basis to help them thrive in their own way.

Tamim Saidi

  • IRG Speaker & Resident Scholar

Speakers Biography

Dr. Tamim Saidi was born in Afghanistan and as a teenager was forced to leave his family behind and take refuge in Pakistan. He came to the USA in 1990, and since then, he has considered Minnesota home. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota and holds an MDiv degree from Chicago Theological Seminary and Bayan Islamic Graduate School. In 2018, he was selected as one of 24 Bush Fellows. Additionally, he has completed a Multi-Religious Fellowship program with the Collegeville Institute. In addition to serving as the Resident Scholar for IRG, Tamim serves/has served in numerous community leadership positions with the Islamic Resource Group (IRG), NWICC, MYLA Scholarship, Islamic Center of MN, Muslim Youth of MN (MYM), Muslim Students Association, Council of Trustees of the Islamic Center of MN, CAIR-MN, Al-Amal School Board of Directors, interfaith dialogues, and a newly formed organization called Noursury, which aims to provide no-interest micro-loans to eligible borrowers. He has presented to thousands of Minnesotans about Islam and the cultures of Muslims. His articles have appeared at EngageMN, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, USA Today, St. Cloud Times, and MN Daily, and he has also appeared on WCCO and TPTV Almanac. Tamim regularly delivers weekly sermons at multiple area mosques, serves as a Muslim chaplain & conducts other religious rituals for the community. He is a father to four children and is a son, husband, and brother.

Zafar Siddiqui

  • IRG Co-Founder, Co-Board Chair

Speakers Biography

Zafar Siddiqui is the co-founder and past president of Islamic Resource Group. He is also the chairman of the board of Al-Amal School in Fridley. He serves on the advisory board of the Muslim Christian Dialog Center (MCDC) at the University of St. Thomas and is a member of the Minnesota Multi-faith Network (MnMN). He was a community blogger for the Star Tribune in its Your Voices blog from 2010 to 2015. Zafar has a master’s degree in computer science. He is married with four children and currently resides in Blaine, MN.

John Emery

  • IRG Executive Director

Speakers Biography

A veteran of the U.S. Army, John Emery served over nine years as an interrogator and translator. His service took him across the United States, North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and other locales. After his honorable discharge in 2003, John graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Global Studies. Since becoming Muslim in 2004, John has pursued opportunities to foster peace, justice, and reconciliation in our local communities. John is a Muslim volunteer at local jails and prisons where he regularly leads Friday prayer as the Imam. A native Minnesotan, John enjoys exploring the Minnesota outdoors year-round, keeps bees on a local organic farm, and volunteering for local organizations.

Rashed Ferdous

  • Speaker and IRG Board Chair

Speakers Biography

Rashed Ferdous is an IRG-certified speaker and the organization’s current board chair. He has been involved with various interfaith activities in Rochester, the Twin Cities, and throughout greater Minnesota. Rashed serves on the board of directors for the Rochester mosque. He volunteers at various jails and prisons.

Christina Ferdous

  • IRG Speaker

Speakers Biography

Christina Ferdous was born and raised in northern Minnesota, near Brainerd. Raised a Christian, she converted to Islam while attending college as a nursing student. While in college, she served as president of the Student Nurses Association and was also a newsletter editor. Christina is married and a mother of four children. She works at a metro hospital as a critical care registered nurse. Christina is a volunteer speaker for IRG, and has also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Rochester Muslim Community Circle (RMCC). She is currently serving on the board of directors of Al Amal School in Fridley. Christina loves to read, decorate cakes, and garden.

Memoona Ghani

  • IRG Speaker

Speakers Biography

Memoona Ghani is part of the Speakers Bureau for IRG and has given many presentations using IRG’s model. Her passion is breaking stereotypes and myths about Islam and Muslims through blogging. Her favorite topic to blog about is Muslim female leaders and their positive role in the community. She also serves on the board for RISE (Reviving Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment). Her day job is a business analyst at Ameriprise Financial, but most of her nights and weekends are dedicated to serving the community.

Abdisalam Adam

  • IRG Speaker

Speakers Biography

Abdisalam is a public intellectual with determination to build strong nurturing community that ensures opportunities for all to thrive. He has served on many civic, educational, and religious institutions such as the Board of the Fridley Public Schools and the Islamic Civic Society of America. Dr. Abdisalam has been with Saint Paul Public Schools since 1997 as an ELL teacher, community specialist, and currently serves as the Principal of the East African Elementary Magnet School. He graduated from King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a bachelor’s degree in English as a Second Language; received a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Cloud State University, and Doctor of Education (EdD) from Bethel University. Dr. Abdisalam has multiple perspectives as he has lived in the United States, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia

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