FESTIVAL VOICES

FEATURING

SAJEDA FARAZ

FOUNDER of little hibba

With a deep passion for literature and a commitment to providing a platform for diverse voices, Sajeda found that the market needed personalised books for the Muslim community and founded Little Hibba. Over the past 10 years, Little Hibba has become an award-winning publishing house and the go-to destination for beautiful, innovative Muslim children’s books.

Through beautiful, inclusive storytelling, she is inspiring the next generation of young readers and championing diverse voices in children's literature.

At Blŵm:

- Children's Storytelling

- Entrepreneurship Panel

ALAA KHUNDAKJI

Deputy secretary general, Muslim Council of Wales

Alaa is the Deputy Secretary General of MCW and a dedicated community leader committed to strengthening Muslim communities across Wales through collaboration, advocacy and engagement.

Passionate about empowering women and amplifying their voices, she is leading the launch of the Welsh Muslim Women's Network at Blŵm Festival.

At Blŵm:

- Opening address

- Launching the Welsh Muslim Women's Network

DINA TORKIA

Founder of Stronger in Sisterhood

Dina is the founder of Stronger in Sisterhood, a women-led wellbeing movement championing strength, confidence and sustainable health. She is passionate about making fitness accessible and inspiring women to invest in their physical and mental wellbeing while building supportive communities.

At Blŵm:
- Introduction to Fitness Workshop

BEA YOUNG

FOUNDER OF MUSLIMAH OUTDOORS

Bea founded Muslimah Outdoors in 2022 with a vision to help Muslim women reconnect with nature, build lasting friendships and discover a sense of belonging in the outdoors. What began as a small local walking group has grown into a thriving community of hundreds of women, creating accessible opportunities to explore Wales through hiking, retreats, shared adventures, crafts and a monthly bookclub.

At Blŵm:

- Panel Discussion: Sisterhood
- Collaborative Art Workshop

SAHIR AHMED EVANS

Menopause & Women's Wellbeing Coach

Sahir is a women's wellbeing coach specialising in menopause, hormonal health and healthy ageing. Through coaching, movement and education, she empowers women to navigate every stage of life with confidence, strength and self-compassion.

At Blŵm:

- Panel Discussion: Menopause
- Gentle Pilates

HANA HERSI

FOUNDER OF SPROUTS MONTESSORI NURSERY

Hana is the founder of Sprouts Arabic Montessori Nursery, where she combines Montessori principles, Arabic language and nature-based learning to nurture confident, curious and compassionate young children. She is passionate about helping families create environments where children can flourish.

At Blŵm:

- Talk: Screens, Attention & the Developing Child

- Entrepreneurship Panel
- Forest School Session with Sprouts

DR AMARA NASEEM

MUSLIM DOCTORS CYMRU

Dr Amara Naseem is a GP with a special interest in women's health and tackling health inequalities. Through her work with Muslim Doctors Cymru and grassroots community initiatives, she is committed to making healthcare more accessible, culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. She is also the founder of the Care Hub, a pioneering initiative delivering health education and support through local mosques and community spaces.

At Blŵm:
- Panel Discussion: Menopause
- Panel Discussion: Mental Health

NADIA REHMAN SADIQ

The SPIRITUAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Nadia is a psychologist, relationship therapist and educator with a passion for supporting emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships and personal growth. Through her work, she creates compassionate spaces for honest conversations around identity, belonging and life's different journeys.

At Blŵm:

- Talk: Blooming in Every Season: Womanhood Beyond Motherhood
- Workshop: Navigating the Search for Marriage with Faith & Confidence

SADIA SADIQ, MBE

CHarity manager, CCAWS

Sadia is the founder of CCAWS, Community Care & Wellbeing Service, and a community leader who has spent decades supporting Muslim women and families across Wales. Through her work in mental health, wellbeing and community development, she has helped create safe, culturally sensitive spaces where women can access support.

At Blŵm:
- Panel Discussion: Mental Health

ZAYNAB ABBAS

EMPOWERHER

Zaynab Abbas is a community leader and social impact champion, recognised for her dedication to empowering women, supporting humanitarian causes and inspiring the next generation of young leaders. Through initiatives including Angels of Gaza and EmpowerHer Wales, she is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to lead with confidence, compassion and purpose.

At Blŵm:

- Panel Discussion: Sisterhood

- Create & Chat: Candle Decorating

SAFFIYAH UMAR

young author

Safiyyah is a young author and has recently graduated from Cambridge University. Her journey to Cambridge was anything but conventional – she was offered a place through an alternative admissions route that recognised her published novel and creative achievements, demonstrating that success is built on talent, passion and perseverance as much as exam results.

At Blŵm:

- Talk: Faith, Creativity & Following Your Dreams

- Bookclub: The Heart Crusher

MARYAM IDDIR

THE NURTURE PROJECT

Maryam is part of The Nurture Project, where she is passionate about creating welcoming, faith-filled spaces for women to grow spiritually, whilst making it accessible for mothers.

She facilitates Heart to Heart, a fortnightly women's halaqah at Dar ul Isra, designed so that mothers can benefit from seeking knowledge while their children play. Her work reflects a deep commitment to making Islamic learning accessible, inclusive and rooted in community.

At Blŵm:

- Talk: Vision

- Birth Preparation Workshop

AYSHA CHOUHDARY

Family law partner at geldards

Aysha is an award-winning Family Law Partner at Geldards and Head of Faith & Cultural Family Law. She is on a mission to diversify the legal profession as she feels it does not only ensures equal representation but also enriches the practice of law itself. She provides support and guidance to students and junior lawyers with their journey into the legal profession, especially for ethnically diverse women who often face additional struggles, like her.

At Blŵm:

- Interactive Session: Know your legal rights at a Muslim Woman

THE LINEUP - talks & Panels

11:00

Opening Address

Alaa Khundakji and Dr Zartash Rehan

Drawing room

11:30

Keynote: Becoming Women of Knowledge

Dr Sofia Rehman

Drawing room

11:30

Neurodiversity

Fehmida

Billiard

room

Billiard

room

Blooming in Every Season: Womanhood Without Children

12:15

Dr Nadia Sadiq