Meet Our Guest Speakers! 

Anaija is a model, content creator, and landscape architect whose work bridges creativity, design, and community impact. Alongside her career in architecture, she is deeply committed to giving back, hosting fundraisers, organizing community events, and helping design and bring to life neighborhood gardens.

Professionally modeling for the past four years, Anaija has worked with major brands including Off-White, Nike, Puma, and Apple. Beyond print and commercial work, she also serves as a model coach and content creator, sharing her expertise and creative vision with others. Her career has taken her to prestigious runways such as New York Fashion Week, where she has walked for designers including Archana Kochar, Daniels Leather, and KidSuper, all while staying true to her deen.

Asha Kabirou is the Founder and Research Director of Halaqah Tingz and the proud owner of Bold By Rai Coffee. She created Halaqah Tingz to make intricate Islamic concepts accessible and relatable, with a strong focus on building a grounded, supportive community for women in the DMV (Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area.
She is the author of two books that bridge the worlds of science and
spirituality. Her debut work, The Invisible Hand: Exploring the Visible and Invisible Design in Nature, examines the profound connections between scientific understanding and spiritual insight within the natural world. Her second book, The Fasting Roast: Healing One Sip at a Time, continues this mission by blending scientific knowledge with spiritual wisdom. This beautifully
designed coffee-table book explores the restorative benefits of fasting and caffeine while sharing her personal journey of transformation through intentional coffee rituals and intermittent fasting. Asha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a concentration in animal function, and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, focusing on biodefense and biosecurity. With over six years of experience at the National Institutes of Health, she has contributed to critical research efforts related to COVID-19, infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and other public health challenges. Her work reflects a deep commitment to understanding biological systems and their impact on human health. In addition to her research, Asha is a passionate public speaker who thoughtfully connects scientific concepts with spirituality. Her ability to bridge
these fields allows her to inspire diverse audiences and illuminate the harmony between faith, science, and the natural world. Through her work with Halaqah Tingz, she continues to encourage a deeper, more accessible understanding of Islam and its relationship to science and spirituality

Imani Bashir is a world-traveling storyteller, activist, and mother whose work is deeply rooted in social justice and the liberation of marginalized communities. Having lived across five countries, she has cultivated a global perspective that celebrates cross-cultural connectivity. Whether through journalism, advocacy, or content creation, Imani amplifies narratives that challenge systemic oppression and uplift those too often left at the margins. Her work spans media, travel, and communications, always guided by a commitment to equity, authenticity, and collective care. As a Black Muslim woman and mother, she is fiercely invested in creating a world where her son—and all children—can thrive in safety, dignity, and truth. Imani believes in the transformative power of storytelling to bridge divides and build movements, and she continues to use her voice to imagine and work toward a freer, more compassionate world.