OUR MUHARRAM 2025 / 1447 SPEAKERS LINEUP
Sayyid Haidar Bahrelelom
Sayyid Haidar Bahreluloom is a strategist, lecturer, author and public intellectual. His studies under the tutelage of the professors of the Islamic Seminary in the Holy City of Najaf, and his lectures in communities across the globe, have ranged across theology, jurisprudence, philosophy, ethics, and community development. Sayyid Bahreluloom is the author of ‘Discourses with Ayatollah Al-Irawani: The Role of Islam in Our Lives’, a candid dialogue on the role of Islam in contemporary life, and ‘Reflections with Ayatollah al-Radi’, a collection of sermons and insights drawn from one of the seminary’s leading jurists. In addition to serving as an advisor and trustee of The Mainstay Foundation, Sayyid Bahreluloom is a strategy consultant at a research and advisory firm.
Shaykh Ahmad Bazzi
Shaykh Ahmad Bazzi began his Islamic seminary studies at the Imam Hussain Foundation in Windsor, Ontario, before continuing in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, where he has spent the last several years in the Hawzah. He is currently studying texts in jurisprudence and legal theory, including Kifāyah and al-Lumʿa al-Dimashqiyya, under the guidance of senior scholars. In addition to his seminary training, Shaykh Ahmad holds an Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from St. Clair College. He remains active in community education while pursuing his scholarship.
Sayyid Ahmed Almousawi
Sayyid Ahmed Almusawi is a licensed mental health counselor who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and has been practicing since 2017. He has worked with clients across all age groups and currently focuses on providing therapy to older teens and adults. In October of 2022, he founded 313 Counseling, a private practice located at the Islamic institute of America. He launched this initiative with the goal of offering accessible mental health services to the Muslim community in Michigan, both in-person and virtually.
Sayyid Bahaa Almousawi
Sayyid Bahaa Almosawi is a respected reciter based in Dearborn, Michigan. He hails from a renowned family that has dedicated themselves for generations to the service of Imam Husayn (a). Sayyid Bahaa travels the country, reciting latmiyat and mawalid, in Arabic to instill the love of the AhlulBayt (a) in the hearts of the believers.
Sayyid Abathar Tajaldeen
Sayyid Abathar Tajaldeen is the Founder of Bridgelex, a growing law firm headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with a national and global footprint. He leads the firm’s immigration and global services divisions. In addition to his legal experience, Tajaldeen has a background in nonprofit executive leadership and management. He is the cofounder of the Iraqi American Business Network and serves as a director at The Mainstay Foundation. Combining legal expertise with nonprofit leadership, Abathar focuses on strategic planning, coalition building, and expanding the foundation’s initiatives and outreach.
Hajj Mohamed Ali Banoon
Hajj Mohamed Ali Banoon is a practicing attorney based in Dearborn, MI and currently serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors at The Mainstay Foundation. For several years, he has actively served with a number of nonprofit organizations in various capacities, where he applies his legal and analytical expertise to advance his communities.
Hajj Jalal Moughania
Hajj Jalal Moughania is an international lawyer, speaker, and author. He has written and translated several original works on Islam, including late Grand Ayatollah M.S. Al-Hakeem’s ‘Marjaeya: A Candid Conversation’. He is the co-author of ‘The Pope Meets the Ayatollah: An Introduction to Shi’a Islam’ and author of ‘Ali: The Elixir of Love’. His most recent work, ‘Husayn: The Saga of Hope,’ is a historical narrative on the life of Imam Husayn ibn Ali (a). In addition to his authorship, he serves as Principal Attorney and Chief Communications Officer at ATLAW, and is a co-founder and board member of The Mainstay Foundation.
Dr. Youssef Beydoun
Dr. Youssef Beydoun is a native of the Dearborn community, which he proudly calls home. For over ten years, he has worked with The Mainstay Foundation, dedicating his time to advancing the next generation of young professionals. As a Doctor of Chiropractic and mentor to the youth, he emphasizes the importance of eulogizing the holy household in a native tongue that can be understood by young and old.
Ilwiyyah Um Abathar Tajaldeen
Ilwiyyah Um Abathar Tajaldeen established the Al-Zaynabiyat Quran Academy where she currently teaches over 75 students the Holy Quran and the Arabic language. She is also a servant and reciter of the majalis of Imam Husayn (a).
Ilwiyyah Zeinab Almosawi
Ilwiyyah Zainab Almosawi holds a master’s degree in applied and computational mathematics which she earned while homeschooling her three young children. Since 2010, she has been tutoring high school and college students in mathematics. In addition to her academic work, she began delivery Islamic lectures to the youth and has been actively serving with The Mainstay Foundation since 2019. Her experience in mentoring adolescent girls continues to make a meaningful impact through her dedication to the youth in her community.
Ilwiyyah Um Mohammed Almawla
Ilwiyyah Um Mohammed Almawla began her journey as a reciter of the majalis of Imam Husayn (a) by learning Quran Tajweed and tilawa. Over time, she developed a passion for reciting the Quran in a treble tone, which eventually inspired her to use her skills to serve the Imam (a) through the recitation of his tragedy.
Hajjah Malak Fardous
Hajjah Malak Fardous has been an educator for the past 18 years. She holds a M.ED. In K-12 Special Education, as well as an endorsement in ELL studies from the University of Michigan. She spent nine years teaching at the Muslim American youth, and for the past 9 years, she has served as a mathematics teacher at Dearborn High School, focusing on supporting newcomer students. She was recently promoted to the role of ELD Specialist, allowing her to serve a wider range of students.
Sister Walaa Abada
Sister Walaa Abada is a registered nurse who has dedicated her professional career to working with mothers and babies in labor and delivery. With a love and passion for working with young sisters, she has embarked on a journey starting in 2012 lecturing and facilitating programs for sisters including educational, health, and recreational activities. She is more committed than ever before to continue to learn and give back to sisters in the community as she raises her three daughters.
Ilwiyyah Mariam Tajaldeen
Ilwiyyah Mariam Tajaldeen is a tax consultant at Deloitte, where she leverages her expertise in financial management and strategic planning to help clients navigate complex tax situations. Beyond her professional role, Ilwiyah Mariam is deeply committed to community work, serving as a project coordinator at The Mainstay Foundation and reciting latmiyat in honor of Imam Husayn (a) during the Foundation’s staple Muharram programs. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA from Wayne State University.
Sister Nadia Hamade
Sister Nadia Hamade is a practicing corporate attorney, licensed in both Michigan and Florida. She is also a former educator, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Gifted and Talented Education. Ms. Hamade has taught at every grade level– including preschool–in public, charter, and private Islamic schools. Her teaching experience spans a wide range of student needs, from gifted elementary students in public schools in Alabama and Michigan to special needs middle school students in Michigan charter schools. As a mother of four daughters and a grandmother of three, Ms. Hamade loves working with children and brings her passion into her volunteer work. For the past two years, she has been actively involved with The Mainstay Foundation and assists with the development and implementation of children’s programming.
Ilwiyyah Buthaina Bahrelelom
Dr. Buthaina Bahar Alaloom, LPC is a mental health counselor in private practice focusing on women’s issues and youth. She deals with several issues including depression, anxiety, parenting conflicts and more. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member in the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the Clinical Mental Health graduate online program. Her passion in mental health extends to humanitarian projects in Iraq where she has been involved in mental health awareness with widows and training programs for mental health professionals.
Sister Zaynab Turki
Sister Zaynab Turki is a dynamic and multi-talented professional with a background in computer animation and sonography. She is currently advancing her expertise through continued studies in sonography, blending her artistic eye with medical imaging technology. Sister Zaynab is deeply passionate about engaging people of all ages in creative activities and leverages her diverse skill set to inspire and motivate children and adults to explore and express their creativity. Her unique combination of technical knowledge and artistic abilities enables her to connect meaningfully with her audience, fostering a love for both art and learning within the communities she serves.
Sister Batule Hamka
Sister Batule Hamka is a longtime Mainstay volunteer and a student at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. She contributes to research in the field of management and organizations, with projects focusing on teamwork, positive leadership, and positive organizational scholarship. Her passion for human thriving and giving back leads her to pursue various mentorship opportunities including youth literacy programs, youth camps, and peer advising.
Sister Nourelhouda Jouni
Sister Nourelhouda Jouni was born in Lebanon and moved to America with her family at the age of 17. She pursued higher education at Wayne State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Nourelhouda currently works as a clinical psychotherapist at NAYA and Wellness Therapy Center, both of which are private practices. Additionally, she serves as a clinical therapist at StoneCrest Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital. In her professional role, she is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health support to her clients.
Sister Noha Beydoun
Dr. Noha Beydoun is a professor in the Comprehensive Studies Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She provides reading and writing seminars that focus on current issues in social justice, and her research focuses on the intersections of capitalism, imperialism, gender, and race through the vantage point of hijab and its representation in popular media. Her work extends to curriculum development and antiracist teaching practices. She has presented at numerous academic conferences and has recently given a TEDx Talk.
Ilwiyyah Neam Zalzala
Ilwiyyah Neam Zalzala holds an Educational Specialist and is ABD (all but a dissertation) in her doctoral studies. With over 15 years of experience in education, she has taught at the elementary, college, university, and adult education levels. She currently serves as an Adult Educator at Zaman International. In addition to her work in education, Ilwiyyah Neam is also a children’s book author. She has delivered many story presentations that creatively connect astronomy with Islamic themes, incorporating interactive discussions and hands-on crafts for her young audiences.
Ilwiyyah Israa Safieddine
Ilwiyyah Israa Saffeidine is a teacher and educational consultant based in Michigan, specializing in Islamic instruction and educational training. She has conducted a variety of educational workshops across different regions, supporting educators in both religious and academic settings. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she holds a MA in Public Administration with a focus in assessment and evaluation. Her religious studies include time at Jami`at al-Zahra in Qom, as well as al-Qaem Institute in the US. From 2016-2018, she taught theology at the Hawza Ilmiyya of England. Ilwiyyah Israa is also a founding member and instructor of Workshops for Islamic Educators (WIE), and currently serves as the coordinator of educational and interfaith activities for Risalat International Institute.
Ustadhah Zahraa Hamka
Ustadhah Zahraa Hamka was born and raised in Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Mathematics. In 2011, she and her husband moved to the Holy City of Najaf in Iraq to pursue their studies at the Islamic Seminary (Hawzah). In addition to homeschooling their children, she offers lectures and classes to women both locally and internationally, while continuing her research in Islamic studies. In 2021, she co-founded Shield Families, a non-profit organization dedicated to “reviving the village” by connecting and equipping like-minded believers with the tools necessary to raise devout and resilient families living in the West. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and their three sons.
Dr Jawad Tajaldeen
Dr. Jawad Tajaldeen is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified personal trainer, and founder of Fimple PT—a performance-focused, cash-based clinic located in Allen Park, Michigan. With over a decade of strength training experience and a strong foundation in both rehabilitation and athletic performance, Dr. Jawad helps active individuals move better, recover stronger, and return to doing what they love. Blending clinical expertise with a practical, no-nonsense approach, he specializes in 1-on-1 physical therapy, dry needling for the upper body, injury rehab, and personalized strength programming. His online Prescriptive Exercise Program (PEP) bridges the gap between rehab and training, offering ongoing guidance beyond the clinic walls. From teenage athletes to adults rehabbing chronic injuries, Dr. Jawad’s mission is to simplify the path to better movement—without gimmicks, fluff, or wasted time.