Donate now

Ottawa
2 Oct

Sold out!

Toronto
3 Oct

Sold out!

Calgary
10 Oct

Get Tickets

Vancouver
11 Oct

Get Tickets

Montreal
24 Oct

Get Tickets

Our Guest Speakers

Our Speakers

An Evening of Unity and Purpose

Join us as we honour the resilience and strength of the people of Gaza, while celebrating IDRF’s three decades of steadfast commitment to humanitarian work in Palestine. Together, we will share stories of hope, solidarity, and the power of collective action, as we look ahead to a future filled with possibility and peace.

This is more than an event — it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Gaza’s people and our shared vision of a brighter tomorrow.

Out Guest Speakers

Mehdi Hassan

2 Oct, Ottawa • 3 Oct, Toronto

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of ‘Head to Head’ on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of ‘Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking’. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and columnist for The Intercept.

Join Mehdi in Ottawa and Toronto for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa

10 Oct, Calgary • 11 Oct, Vancouver

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa is a British-Australian Palestinian doctor and former professional rugby player, widely known on social media as “Beast from the Middle East.” Through his platform (@beastfromthe_middleeast), he documents the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, drawing from his first-hand experiences on medical missions. Combining his medical expertise with his athletic resilience, Dr. Mustafa has become a powerful advocate for the Palestinian people, using his voice to raise global awareness and inspire action.

Join Dr. Mohammed in Calgary and Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Our Guest Speaker

Mehdi Hassan

2 Oct, Ottawa • 3 Oct, Toronto

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of ‘Head to Head’ on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of ‘Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking’. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and columnist for The Intercept.

Join Mehdi in Ottawa and Toronto for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa

10 Oct, Calgary • 11 Oct, Vancouver

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa is a British-Australian Palestinian doctor and former professional rugby player, widely known on social media as “Beast from the Middle East.” Through his platform (@beastfromthe_middleeast), he documents the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, drawing from his first-hand experiences on medical missions. Combining his medical expertise with his athletic resilience, Dr. Mustafa has become a powerful advocate for the Palestinian people, using his voice to raise global awareness and inspire action.

Join Dr. Mohammed in Calgary and Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Our Sponsors

In Partnership with

About IDRF

For 30 years, the International Development and Relief Foundation has delivered essential humanitarian aid and educational support to communities in Palestine. Tonight, we renew that commitment.

Together, we remember. Together, we hope. Together, we act.

Mehdi Hasan

2 Oct, Ottawa • 3 Oct, Toronto

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of ‘Head to Head’ on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of ‘Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking’. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and columnist for The Intercept.

Join Mehdi in Ottawa and Toronto for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa

10 Oct, Calgary • 11 Oct, Vancouver

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa is a British-Australian Palestinian doctor and former professional rugby player, widely known on social media as “Beast from the Middle East.” Through his platform (@beastfromthe_middleeast), he documents the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, drawing from his first-hand experiences on medical missions. Combining his medical expertise with his athletic resilience, Dr. Mustafa has become a powerful advocate for the Palestinian people, using his voice to raise global awareness and inspire action.

Join Dr. Mohammed in Calgary and Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Dr. Dorotea Gucciardo

2 Oct, Ottawa • 3 Oct, Toronto

Dr. Dorotea Gucciardo is the Director of Development at Glia, where she has been leading medical delegations through the World Health Organization’s Emergency Medical Team system since January 2024.
In this role, she has worked on the frontlines of humanitarian response, raising global awareness about the severe aid restrictions and devastating conditions in Gaza.

Join Dr.Dorotea in Ottawa and Toronto for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Noora Sharrab

2 Oct, Ottawa • 3 Oct, Toronto

Noora Sharrab earned her Master’s in Political Science with a specialization in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from York University. In 2009, she co-founded Hopes for Women in Education to provide scholarships, training, and language development for refugee women in Jordan. Her work with UN agencies and refugee communities led to the establishment of a Women’s Centre in the Gaza Refugee Camp, which employs over 30 refugees and serves thousands.

In 2013, Noora co-founded Sitti, a social enterprise that empowers refugee communities through employment and sustainable income opportunities, including a subscription box launched in 2021. She has served on advisory councils with UNHCR Canada and WeConnect International and mentors impact-driven ventures with Sheridan College’s EDGE Hub. Recognized as a SheEO Venture Winner, she has received the Muslim Awards of Excellence “Woman of the Year” and the BMO for Women Award (2021).

Join Noora in Ottawa and Toronto for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Nabil Ali

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Linkedin

Nabil Ali is an international development and humanitarian leader with more than a decade of experience across nonprofit leadership, humanitarian response and sustainable development. He has spent 10 years at IDRF, joining the organization in 2016 as a Program Manager and progressing through increasingly senior leadership roles before serving as Chief Operating Officer and, in 2026, being appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Throughout his time at IDRF, Nabil has helped lead the organization’s humanitarian and development work across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and Canada. His experience spans program strategy and delivery, organizational operations, donor and partner engagement, financial stewardship, fundraising, marketing and people leadership. He has managed complex humanitarian and development portfolios across more than 30 countries and has helped strengthen the systems, partnerships and teams that support IDRF’s continued growth.

Before joining IDRF, Nabil worked in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia as a research consultant with international organizations and UN agencies. His work included leading the UNICEF Rapid Education project in Somalia, which assessed education infrastructure across approximately 6,000 schools. At IDRF, he has also helped design major long-term initiatives, including Guyana’s first national non-clinical mental health intervention program, launched with support from Global Affairs Canada.

Nabil has represented IDRF in engagements with governments, institutional partners and international organizations, including at United Nations General Assembly sessions and international humanitarian and development forums. He has served on the boards of Cooperation Canada and the Ontario Council for International Cooperation, contributing to governance and leadership within Canada’s international cooperation sector. His leadership has received national recognition. In 2020, Nabil was named one of Corporate Knights’ Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders, and in 2024 he was recognized among The Peak’s Emerging Leaders in Social Impact.

Nabil’s leadership is grounded in the belief that effective humanitarian and development work should be locally led, accountable to the communities it serves and built through strong partnerships. His work continues to focus on strengthening organizations and partnerships that can deliver meaningful, sustainable impact for communities in Canada and around the world.

Dr. Adel Guitouni

11 Oct, Vancouver

Dr. Adel Guitouni, President of the BC Muslim Association, Co-founder and Director of Programs of the Victoria Forum, and a Full Professor at the University of Victoria. With three decades of leadership across government, academia, and global diplomacy, Dr. Guitouni is a dedicated champion for humanitarian impact and social change. From facilitating peacebuilding negotiations that contributed to a Nobel Peace Prize, to co-founding the Victoria Forum to bridge diverse communities, his life’s work is driven by one mission: building a better, more inclusive future for all.

Join Dr. Adel in Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Mazhar Qawasmeh

11 Oct, Vancouver

Mazhar Qawasmeh is a Jordanian-Palestinian poet and community leader who serves as the Khateeb at Masjid Al-Sahabah in Langley, British Columbia. Deeply rooted in his rich heritage, Mazhar blends spiritual leadership with a passion for literature and the arts. Through his weekly sermons and poetic works, he focuses on fostering unity, spiritual growth, and cultural preservation within the Canadian Muslim community.

Join Mazhar in Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Dr. Adam Soliman

11 Oct, Vancouver

Dr. Adam Soliman is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Adam Soliman Law Corporation, where he practices complex business law and civil litigation, with a focus on matters including investor conflicts, property development disputes, and corporate restructuring. His approach combines strategic thinking, practical solutions, and strong advocacy.

With a career shaped by both legal practice and academic scholarship, Adam brings a broad international perspective to his work. He was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School and has lectured at universities across Canada and Asia. He holds degrees in law and agricultural economics from institutions in Canada, Hong Kong, the United States, and Egypt, as well as a Ph.D. in Law from the University of British Columbia.

Adam is also deeply engaged in the Muslim and Arab community. He is the Founder of the Muslim Justice Society, which works to expand access to culturally informed legal support, education, and advocacy for British Columbia’s Muslim community, particularly in addressing discrimination, systemic barriers, and unequal treatment.

He is also a Co-Founder of BC Muslim and Arab Professionals and is committed to community advocacy, leadership, and engagement. Through his legal and community work, Adam continues to contribute to efforts advancing justice, equity, and the protection of community rights.

Join Dr.Adam in Vancouver for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Sh.Ali Nasser

10 Oct, Calgary

Sh.Ali Nasser began his studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), earning an Associate’s Degree in Arabic Language, and later continued at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he completed a degree in Islamic Theology and Missiology.

He currently serves as Imam at the Islamic Information Society of Calgary (IISC), where he provides spiritual guidance, community outreach, and faith-based education. In this role, he also works with institutions such as the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), offering diversity and cultural awareness training to foster mutual understanding and stronger community relations.

As Director of Youth Affairs at Al-Kahf Youth Centre, Ali Nasser works to inspire and mentor young Muslims, helping them develop confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of identity.

He serves as the official Muslim Chaplain at the University of Calgary, supporting students through spiritual care, mentorship, and interfaith engagement. In addition, he partners with school boards across the province to develop faith-based gender education curriculum and instruction, promoting learning environments that are culturally sensitive and spiritually grounded.

Through this work, Ali Nasser is dedicated to building understanding, empowering youth, and nurturing a strong and vibrant Muslim community in Calgary.

Join Sh.Ali in Calgary for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Noor Henedy

10 Oct, Calgary

Noor Al-Henedy is a Palestinian-Canadian advocate, community leader, facilitator and speaker. She is the founder of ELMA Consulting, where she works with organizations and leaders on communications, engagement and navigating complex conversations and issues.

With more than a decade of experience across government, nonprofit and community spaces, Noor’s work has spanned communications, public engagement, community relations and leadership.

Noor previously served as Chair of the Board of Al Rashid Mosque, becoming the first woman appointed to lead the board of Canada’s first mosque in its more than 90-year history. Her community leadership and advocacy have included work in education, interfaith dialogue, civic engagement, anti-racism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

Her work and lived experience have brought her into conversations at the intersection of leadership, identity, belonging and public life, particularly within Muslim and diverse communities.

Join Noor in Calgary for ‘A Night for Gaza’ — don’t miss this powerful evening of truth-telling and solidarity.

Mahmood Qasim

Chief Executive Officer

X-twitter Linkedin

Mahmood Qasim is a distinguished leader in the nonprofit sector, bringing over 20 years of transformative leadership across continents. With a remarkable ability to blend vision with action, Mahmood has redefined charity management and business development, leaving a legacy of innovation, sustainable growth, and meaningful impact.

Renowned for his strategic acumen and collaborative approach, Mahmood excels in governance, resource mobilization, and mission-driven execution.

Under his stewardship, organizations have achieved unprecedented success, marked by inclusivity, operational excellence, and expanded community impact.

His leadership ethos centers on capacity building and fostering partnerships that deliver tangible, lasting change.Throughout his career, Mahmood has spearheaded groundbreaking international development programs, cultivated deep relationships with donors, and forged strategic alliances with governments, corporations, and grassroots movements.

His expertise spans program design, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement, positioning him as a trusted authority in driving equitable opportunities and systemic change.

A visionary and compassionate changemaker, Mahmood is committed to empowering communities and reimagining the future of the nonprofit sector. His unwavering dedication to innovation and impact continues to inspire and shape the path forward for organizations worldwide.