Speakers

The GPU Festival is committed to fostering an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect and to promoting justice, freedom, and full compliance with the law. To view our guidelines for all speakers at the Festival, please click here. 

Maulana Tariq Jamil

Scholar, Pakistan

Maulana Tariq Jamil is a renowned Pakistani Islamic scholar and a prominent member of the Tableeghi Jamaat. He has been recognized in “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” annually since 2012 and is a recipient of the Pride of Performance award for his significant contributions to Islamic education and spiritual guidance in Pakistan and beyond.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan

CEO of Bayyinah

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan is the founder and CEO of Bayyinah and a lead instructor for courses like ‘Fundamentals of Classical Arabic’ and ‘Divine Speech.’ His Arabic studies began in Saudi Arabia and continued in Pakistan, where he excelled nationally. In 1999, he trained in the U.S. under Dr. Abdus-Samie. Nouman has taught Arabic extensively and is currently focused to a seven-year-long project, of conducting a linguistic & literary focus Qur’anic Tafseer series in English. Recordings of sessions conducted so far can be downloaded at www.bayyinah.com/dream.

Sheikh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri

Speaker & Author , Minhaj-ul-Quran, UK

Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri is a public speaker and research author with a focus on the contemporary Islamic landscape and social sciences. Shaykh Hammad speaks about the universal dimensions of Islam such as peace, harmony, Prophetic and Medinan foreign relations, interfaith-dialogue and intellectual heritage.

Shaykh is currently writing his PhD thesis at the London School of Economics and Political Science on foreign relations in the Muslim world. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of al-Nahda (Renaissance Journal) and an advisor at Minhaj-ul-Quran International.

Sheikh Sulaiman Moola

Scholar, South Africa

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola memorized the Quran at 14 and studied Arabic, Tafsir, Hadith, Aqidah, and Hanafi Fiqh under senior ulama. He taught at Dar al-Uloom Zakariyya and frequently addresses Islamic topics on the radio and in sermons. He authored The Sun That Never Set and travels extensively for Dawah.

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola has travelled extensively across the globe for the purpose of Dawah and teaching. His travels and lectures have been a means of great inspiration to many across the globe.

Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela

MP, South Africa

Zwelivelile Mandlesizwe Dalibhunga Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, is Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and Amir of the Royal House of Mandela. He graduated from Rhodes University with a BA in Politics and was elected to Parliament in 2009. He chairs the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development.

Professor Ilan Pappe

Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter

Professor Pappé obtained his BA from Hebrew University in 1979 and his D. Phil from Oxford in 1984. He founded the Academic Institute for Peace in Givat Haviva (1992-2000) and chaired the Emil Tuma Institute for Palestine Studies (2000-2006). A senior lecturer at Haifa University (1984-2006), he later chaired the History department at Cornwall Campus (2007-2009) and became an IAIS fellow in 2010. His research focuses on the modern Middle East, Israel-Palestine history, multiculturalism, and Critical Discourse Analysis.

Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick

Senior Lecturer at the Islamic Institute of Toronto

Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick, PhD, is a senior historian, having accomplished a lifetime’s worth of achievements spanning 63 countries while enlightening the lives of millions.
He was the first American to graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. He later completed a master’s degree and a Doctorate in African History at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Shaykh Abdullah has served as Imam, missionary, teacher, counsellor and media consultant in the USA, Canada, South Africa and the West Indies.
Presently he is a Senior Lecturer with the Islamic Institute of Toronto (I.I.T.) and Special Envoy in the Caribbean of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (O.I.C.)

Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud

Imam

Shaykh Mohammed Mahmoud is a Shari’ah scholar and holds a bachelor’s degree from UCL. As Imam at Finsbury Park, his response to the 2017 terror attack earned him an OBE. He later served as Senior Imam at the East London Mosque. He is under the tutelage of renowned Mauritanian scholar, Shaykh Ammar Ould Ely Salim al-Shinqeeti, with whom he co-founded Salik Society, an institute offering traditional knowledge for the casual learner. He provides religious guidance, leads Islamic classes, and engages in interfaith outreach and counselling.

He represents Prophetic Path, a global dawah organisation who specialise in teaching practical tazkiyah.

Naz Shah

Member of UK Parliament

Naz Shah MP is the Labour Member of Parliament for Bradford West, elected in 2015. An advocate for social justice, equality, and human rights, she focuses on issues like domestic violence and Islamophobia. She has been recognised in “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” annually since 2022, she is known for her fearless nature to speak truth to power and her personal journey of a woman who beat all odds to become a political leader in the British Parliament.

Sheikh Alaa Elsayed

Scholar, Canada

Sheikh Alaa, born in Cairo, moved to Toronto in the late 1970s. He played as a goalie for Egypt’s Junior National Team. Sheikh Alaa holds a Bachelor’s in Shariah and studied Quran recitation and comparative religion. A member of the Canadian Council of Imams, he has also appeared on Peace TV and hosted “Vision of Islam.” Sheikh Alaa lives in the Greater Toronto Area with his family.

Sheikha Fatima Barkatulla

Author & Lecturer

Sheikha Fatima Barkatulla is a British Islamic scholar, author, and host of IslamiQA on Islam Channel and the IlmFeed Podcast. She completed a Master’s in Islamic Law at SOAS, winning the Doreen Hinchcliffe Memorial Prize. Educated in Egypt and the UK, she specializes in Fiqh. Explore her parenting course at raisingbelievers.com.

Christopher & Ben

The British Muslim Gentlemen

Christopher and Ben are British Muslim advocates dedicated to combating Islamophobia and fostering compassion. They work tirelessly to dispel misconceptions and promote understanding through education, dialogue, and outreach. Deeply involved in charitable endeavors, they volunteer at shelters, organize fundraisers, and support marginalized communities. Their efforts inspire others, embodying values of compassion, understanding, and unity for a just world.

Medea Benjamin

Co-Founder Code Pink

Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of CODEPINK and Global Exchange, advocating for peace and human rights. She has championed causes like the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, Unfreeze Afghanistan, ACERE, and the Nobel Peace Prize for Cuban Doctors Campaign. An advocate for social justice for 50 years, she has authored 11 books, including her latest on NATO, coauthored with David Swanson.

Sheikh Sajid Omar

Mufti & Judge

Sheikh Sajid Umar is a Mufti, Judge, educator, and author focused on fostering sincere, excellent, and steadfast communities. He holds advanced degrees in IT and Islamic Studies from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. He teaches globally, heads the Fiqh Department at Knowledge International University, and advises Mercy Mission World. Sheikh Sajid enjoys book collecting, reading, and sports.

Sheikh Ali Hammuda

Lecturer & Author, UK

Shaykh Ali holds degrees in Shari’ah from Al-Azhar University and Architecture & Planning from the University of the West of England, plus MAs in Planning and Islamic Leadership. For 18 years, he has delivered lectures and khutbahs across the UK and internationally.

He appears on Islamic TV channels, represents several organizations, founded Waqforever, and authored multiple books. His lectures, available on YouTube, inspire and educate Muslims globally.

Paul Williams

Founder of Blogging Theology

Paul Williams hosts the Blogging Theology YouTube channel, where he explores comparative religion by incorporating academic and scholarly insights, particularly on the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

 He is a blogger and bibliophile, with a presence in both London and the South of France. His channel aims to deepen understanding of these religions through thoughtful dialogue and analysis, making scholarly content accessible to a wider audience.

Joram Van Klaveren

Co-founder Islam Experience Centre

drs. Joram J. van Klaveren, was called ‘the crown prince of Geert Wilders’, a famous critic of Islam in The Netherlands and a former MP. He was in politics for almost 12 years: in the city council, the Provincial States, as a policy advisor and as a Member of Parliament.

While writing an anti-islam book he had change of heart and mind and eventually even became Muslim.

Joram did his doctoral exam in comparative religion at the Free University in Amsterdam, did another master to become a registered academic teacher of religion and is the co-founder of the Islam Experience Centre (the first islamic museum in The Netherlands).

Imran Abbas

Actor

Imran Abbas is a prominent Pakistani actor known for his graceful portrayal of characters that often reflect moral values and deep emotions. With a focus on projects that promote meaningful stories, he has become a respected figure in the entertainment industry. Imran’s humility and dedication to his craft align with his spiritual values, earning him admiration within both the artistic and Islamic communities.

Norman G. Finkelstein

Norman G. Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department in 1987. In the year 2020, Norman Finkelstein was named the fifth most influential political scientist in the world. 

He is the author of many books that have been translated into 60 foreign editions, including  THE HOLOCAUST INDUSTRY: Reflections on the exploitation of Jewish suffering, GAZA: An inquest into its martyrdom, and most recently,  I ACCUSE! Herewith a proof beyond reasonable doubt that ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda whitewashed Israel. He is currently writing a book tentatively titled,  I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It: Politically Incorrect Thoughts on Cancel Culture and Academic Freedom.

Tariq Abdul-Wahad

Basketball Coach and Former NBA Player

Tariq Abdul-Wahad, a French basketball coach and former NBA player, was the first player raised in France to join the NBA. Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1997, he played eight seasons with multiple teams. He holds an Art History degree from San Jose State University, where his jersey was retired in 2002.

Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi, a clinical psychologist, merges Islamic principles with psychology. He directs the Islamic Psychology program in Doha, founded Khalil Center, and is a visiting scholar at Ibn Haldun University. His publications, including The Islamic Workbook for Religious OCD, reflect his focus on culturally informed mental health practices.

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah

Executive Director of the Fiqh Council of North America

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Executive Director of the Fiqh Council of North America, holds degrees in Comparative Religions and Theology. He has taught globally, served as president of key Islamic organizations, and directs the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. A prolific scholar, his works include Anthropomorphic Depictions of God and Islam’s Reformation of Christianity.

Mohammed Faris

Founder of The Productive Muslim Company

Mohammed Faris, founder of The Productive Muslim Company, integrates spirituality with productivity through coaching and training. Author of The Productive Muslim and The Barakah Effect, he has delivered workshops globally and spoken at Fortune 500 companies. Named among the World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims, Faris won the 2016 Islamic Economy Award for his media contributions.

Imam Qari Bakeer

International Qur'anic Reciter and Qur'anic Sciences graduate from Al-Azhar University

Imam Bakeer, is a Quranic Sciences graduate from Al-Azhar University with a masters degree, holds an exceptional ijazah for reciting Hafs and other narrations with the shortest chain, a global rarity. With 15+ years as an Imam across 15 countries, he’s renowned for leading Taraweeh prayers globally. Founder of The Maqamat Institute (Qari Maker), he blends spirituality and education. Imam Bakeer’s impact transcends borders, inspiring hundreds of thousands via TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. An esteemed international Quranic judge, his expertise in maqamat and mentorship fosters skilled Islamic leaders. Imam Bakeer’s goal is to train and develop young Qaries to achieve professional levels.

Dr Ismail Patel

Founder Friends of Al Aqsa

Dr Ismail Patel is the founder of the UK-based NGO Friends of Al-Aqsa and a former visiting research fellow at the University of Leeds. He has authored nine books, seventeen children’s books, and numerous media articles. His works include A Brief History of Palestine, Madina to Jerusalem: Encounters with the Byzantine Empire, Virtues of Jerusalem, and Making the Muslim Problem: From the British Empire to Islamophobia. A prominent political activist and leading campaigner for Palestinian rights, his works have been translated into several languages. Dr Patel focuses on interrogating decolonial thought and Critical Muslim Studies.

Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP

Sir Stephen Timms is a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Previously having served as the Shadow Minister for Employment from 2010 until September 2015. He currently holds the Government post of Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions).

Sheikh Abdurraheem Green

Founder and chairman of iERA

Sheikh Abdurraheem Green, a British convert to Islam, is the founder and chairman of iERA. Known for his impactful da’wah work, he gained prominence at London’s Speakers’ Corner and as a speaker on Peace TV. Green continues to inspire globally through lectures, promoting understanding and inviting non-Muslims to Islam.

Aaqib Ahmed

Founder of Muslim Pioneer

Aaqib is on a mission to create the most influential business movement in Islamic history. He has established an elite Muslim mastermind group comprising industry leaders, and together, the members have collectively generated over £1 billion in online business sales.

Sign up to our newsletter to receive 25% OFF your tickets