Join us for an evening of discussion, learning and networking, hosted by BBC Broadcaster Qasa Alom. We’ll be discussing our role in the climate change movement, why climate justice matters, the intersection of Islamic teachings and environmental issues, and faith based activism. Inviting discussion and networking from all of our attendees.
Our panellists include:

• Sustainability Activist Hashem Abdi, 
• Environmental Educator Zunaira Malik, and 
• Green Deen Tribe Co-Founder Rabiah Mali
  

Join the conversation with us on 15th February at St Ethelburgas, Bishopsgate - a short walk from Liverpool St. Station.
#TwoBillionStrong is a platform for Muslims around the world to become influential voices in the climate movement.

The event is hosted by TwoBillionStrong in partnership with Emerald Network - The UK’s longest established volunteer-run Muslim Professionals Social Network - platform for Arts, Businesses & Charities.

SPEAKER BIO'S

Qasa Alom: Chair

Qasa is an award-winning Radio/TV broadcaster with more than a decades experience with the BBC & various other outlets. He regularly presents for radio on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and was the host of the popular “Big Debate” programme on the BBC Asian Network for 4 years.

On TV Qasa has made several BBC documentaries in current affairs and was one of the BBC’s reporters during the Commonwealth Games in his hometown Birmingham. He had made features for The One Show, BBC Sport & BBC Inside Out. Qasa has a keen passion for environmental conservation & sustainability. Much of this comes from his family’s origin of Bangladesh, a place he recently visited to make an exclusive series to raise awareness about Climate Change. Bangladesh: The Climate Frontline is on his YouTube Channel, QasaVision. He has also made programmes for “Costing The Earth” and “The Climate Question”

Qasa also hosts many events and live shows, including for the UN/IFAD at Cop 26 & Cop 27.

Panellist:

Hashem Abdi / @hashem2be

Hashem is a sustainability activist from Mississauga, Ontario. He is passionate about community organising and faith-based climate action. He has worked closely with various environmental organisations in Canada, most notably EnviroMuslims. Hashem worked with EnviroMuslims to make Canadian mosques more green. Recently, he attended COP27 and became involved in multiple conversations related to global efforts around climate activism and climate disclosure. As an Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Manager at a global law firm, he currently works to help transition the company's operations to net zero. He completed his education at the University of Waterloo in Sustainability Studies and received a graduate diploma in Climate Risk Management.

Zunaira Malik / @wanderingzun

Zunaira has previously worked in environmental education for over four years, working to inspire and empower young people from diverse backgrounds to become the next generation of nature conservationists. She has been involved in environmental engagement with the Muslim community, campaigning work at civil society actions at COP21, COP22 and COP26 and was featured in the Climate Reframe project initiated by Mothers of Invention at the Doc Society, a project aiming to highlight the voices of 100 Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people in the UK environmental sector. Zunaira was also on the judging panel for curating the BBC Woman’s Hour Power List in 2020, with a particular interest in making sure the List was inclusive and diverse. She is currently pursuing masters study in Land & Ecological Restoration at the Eden Project, a site that houses one of the biggest indoor rainforests in the world, as her interest grows in nature-based climate solutions, she is focused on learning how to restore natural ecosystems which will be vital in our fight against climate change.

Rabiah Mali / @greendeen_tribe

Rabiah is the co-founder of the Green Deen Tribe, which she founded as a response to the need to heal the wounds of separation and lack of access to nature by Muslim Women, which is all too often rooted in colonisation, racism, other socioeconomic factors and radicalised Islamophobia. She is also a qualified Medical Herbalist, Creative and Community Healer. She set up The Herbal Blessing clinic in 2015, a sliding scale community clinic with the intention of 'reconnecting' the community with their inner herbalist. Offering consultations, workshops, retreats and walks and holistic therapy that is rooted in traditional and spiritual plant-based healing. Her work involves the use of nature and local plant-based knowledge to nourish a feeling of home in communities where poverty, poor health access and gentrification has fractured the sense of belonging.