Edition #03 Contributors
Imani Asi | “Becoming Unapologetically Her”
Imani is a British Pakistani writer, entrepreneur, and political advisor. She holds a master’s in pharmacy; a path that taught her life is too short not to live on her own terms. So she did: launching her jewellery brand, Imani & Co., while building grassroots activism and and working across the charity sector. Reaching Parliament wasn’t part of some grand plan, it was the result of following conviction over convention. Once there, it only deepened her commitment to speaking for those so often left unheard. It’s a reminder that purpose doesn’t always arrive with a map, sometimes, it finds you along the way and that life is rarely linear.
She writes from the middle of things; at the intersection of cultures, moments and contradictions, between what is and what could be. With wit, warmth, and a careful eye for the details that shape who we are, her voice is equal parts fire and grace. Rooted in reality, always reaching for something honest. She hopes her words help you feel a little less alone in the chaos, and a little more seen in the silence.
BADīL | “I Came Here for You”
BADĪL from the Arabic badil, meaning ‘the alternative’, the intentional act of choosing better. BADīL is a Montreal community initiative that challenges dominant norms and reimagines them through moral consciousness and responsibility. In a culture driven by consumption and shallow success, BADīL creates spaces for reflection and critical thought. It invites individuals and families to examine how everyday choices shape their lives, and supports a shift from passive participation to intentional, values-driven living.
Besma Elgohary | “Covered not Crushed”
Raised in New York City and now based in California, Besma brings over fifteen years of experience as an elementary and middle school teacher. A mom of two teens and a toddler, constantly balancing family, growth, and purpose. A passionate problem solver and lifelong reader with a deep love for technology and Deen. Driven by a desire to create meaningful impact and contribute to something greater than herself. At her core, she strives to uplift and strengthen the ummah through intention, innovation, and service.
Zainab Hassan | “The Loneliness Epidemic”
Zainab Hassan is a Black Muslim writer whose work explores culture, womanhood, identity, and the inner worlds we often keep to ourselves. Her writing blends personal reflection with social commentary, focusing on the everyday experiences that shape how we see ourselves and each other. She is also the founder of The Documented Life, a wellness journaling community centred on intentional living and soft growth. Zainab is passionate about telling honest, thoughtful stories that resonate, uplift, and spark conversation.
Hibah Irshad | “Diary of a New Hijabi”
Hibah is a British-Pakistani teen, whose creative nature comes in many different forms. She has a strong passion for literature, writing for Friday since age eleven! From a young age, she has found many ways in which to express herself, whether art or crochet, poetry or calligraphy; even martial arts help her breathe and explore. Over the years, she has found a particular love for drama, especially through LAMDA. In every situation, she is always working to improve in her deen and daily lifestyle. Although her age may slightly restrict her for now, she admires other influential Muslim women, hoping that one day, she can make a change in the world too..
Maryam Javaid | “Closing Words”
Maryam is a London-based cultural educator, keynote speaker, and parent mentor exploring the intersection of race, family systems, and intergenerational power within Black and South Asian communities. She examines how migration, colonial legacies, and cultural silence shape identity, authority, and belonging across generations. She is the founder of Black and Brown Parenting, a movement dedicated to supporting women in dismantling cultural taboos, undoing the impact of colonial and systemic programming, and building emotionally safe homes and communities.
Drawing on her academic background, years of thought leadership, lived experience, faith literacy, and behavioral insight, Maryam writes, speaks, and mentors on breaking inherited cycles of survival-based parenting, challenging cultural taboos, and revealing how colonial frameworks continue to influence Black and Brown family structures. She reframes the home as both a site of social conditioning and a powerful catalyst for systemic change. Maryam sparks culturally grounded conversations on race, systems, leadership, and generational repair, positioning conscious parenting, healing, and decolonial thought as radical tools for reclaiming Black and Brown homes and shaping long-term cultural transformation.
Muminah Koleoso | “Embracing Multiplicity”
Muminah Koleoso FRSA is a Yoruba Nigerian-British Muslim and multi-award-winning, multihyphenate creative entrepreneur. She graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in Computer Science and Maths and has since pivoted into media and the literary arts. Through poetry, journalism, social media, and her podcast Sister Station, Muminah uses storytelling to amplify the voices of Black and Muslim women. In 2025, she completed a creative nonfiction writing fellowship hosted by the Black British Book Festival, with a short story published in their anthology. She's also written for publications including Black Ballad, and The Scotsman and has performed her poetry across the UK. Her work has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Young Scot Award for Culture & Entertainment, the Black Scottish Awards' Creative of the Year, and inclusion in the Young Women’s Movement’s 2025 30 Under 30 List.
Aminah Mehrban | “A Drop in the Oshen”
Aminah is a vibrant personality, often gelling easily with whoever she encounters in different settings, both social and professional. She is confident, chatty and has an unnecessary amount of coats, shoes and candles. Just a regular woman right?
She enjoys a lonesome cosy evening in binging on a Netflix series, or contrastingly an evening out painting with friends followed by dinner, food must be on the agenda for her. She’s a mover and a shaker, often first up to dance at a wedding, mendhi or a ladies’ night, with an unexpected musical taste. Aminah enjoys cooking and baking, mainly for the grand consumption at the end, and also the barakah. Her greatest gift and success in her life is her dear son, he is her world. She is on a journey in this life to enter Jannah with him, for eternity. Ameen.
Dr Asma Mustafa | “To Be or Not to Be: The Quiet Question Muslim Women Ask Every Day”
Dr Asma is a Research Fellow on Muslims in Britain, based in Oxford. Her work examines British Muslim communities through a sociological lens, with particular attention to identity, religion in public life, and social integration. She is the author of Identity and Political Participation Among Young British Muslims (Palgrave Macmillan). Her research has also explored attitudes towards immigration, Muslims in the military, and the experiences of British Muslims in the labour market and education. Her scholarship is recognised for blending rigorous social research with innovative, participatory methods, including photo-elicitation, to amplify people’s voices and experiences. For over 15 years, she has led a leadership programme empowering young Muslims to explore identity, build confidence, and turn insights into action. She is also a mother of four. Connect with her at www.asmamustafa.com or on LinkedIn.
Sadia Ramzan | “Behind the Book with Aliyah Umm Raiyaan”
Sadia Ramzan is the founder and CEO of The Muslim Women Travel Group, a rapidly growing travel community based in the United Kingdom that curates meaningful, halal-friendly travel experiences for women worldwide. With a deep-rooted passion for exploring diverse cultures in ways that honour her clients’ values, Sadia has led women on enriching journeys across destinations like Türkiye, Morocco, and Malaysia. Her background in the halal tourism industry has positioned her as a pioneer in creating safe and inclusive spaces for Muslim women travellers, providing them with authentic insights, curated itineraries, and a vibrant community. Through her work, Sadia has built a close-knit following of like-minded women who share her enthusiasm for travel and cultural connection. In her writing, she brings an insider’s perspective on halal-friendly travel, blending personal stories with practical advice to inspire and inform her readers.
Mariya Bint Rehan | “Scroll, Swipe, Submit: How the Algorithm is shaping our faith-identity”
Mariya Bint Rehan is a writer from London, with a background in Policy and Research and Development in the voluntary sector. Her book The Muslim (M)Other features a series of essays which interrogate the political, digital and cultural environments in which Muslim women mother, and is available internationally.