Halal Expo Canada 2025 Conference Schedule
Day 1 – Tuesday, May 27, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address
Keynote Speakers: Nasser Deeb & Dr. Slimi
Session 1 | 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Keynote: State of Canada's Halal Economy
Speaker: Iman Ali – Consultant at DinarStandard
Session 2 | 12:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Session Title: What’s In My Supplement? Why Halal Wellness Matters
Sponsored by Sahara Supplements
Panelists:
- Tabish Rizwani - Founder & CEO - Sahara Supplements
- Suresh Kolla President at Pharmaline Inc and Founder & CEO, Nutrameltz Inc
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break & Prayer
Session 3 | 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Keynote: Demystifying Islamic Finance: Principles, Practices, and Opportunities
Sponsored by Ansar Financial
Speaker: Dr. Mohammed Sawwaf - PhD, MSc, MBA - CEO, Manzil
Session 4 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Panel Discussion | Halal Financing in Real Life: Mortgages, Investments & What You Need to Know
Sponsored by Ansar Financial
Panelists:
- Mohammed Jalaluddin - Chairman of Ansar Financial
- Dr. Mohammed Sawwaf - PhD, MSc, MBA - CEO, Manzil
Session 5 | 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Keynote: The State of the Halal Industry
Speaker: Sheikh Hosam Helal - Imam & Religious Educator - ISNA Halal Canada
Session 6 | 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Panel Discussion: The Power of Islamic Media: Shaping Narrative, Building Identity, and Driving Impact
Panelists:
- Taha Ghayyur - Sound Vision
- Dr. Safiyyah Ally - Let the Quran Speak
- Chelby Diagle - Editor in Chief - MuslimLink
- Tabish Hasan - CEO - Muslim Ad Network
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Closing Remarks & Day 1 Wrap-Up
Summary of key insights and preview of Day 2
Day 2 – Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Session 7 | 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Understanding the Halal Opportunity in the Canadian Grocery Industry
Speaker: Nick Gibson - Client Business Partner - NielsenIQ
Session 8 | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Mainstream Meets Halal – Retail Strategies for an Inclusive Marketplace
Panelists:
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break & Prayer
Session 9 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Panel Discussion: Export Smarter – Strategies for Canadian Businesses to Conquer Global Markets
Panelists:
Session 10 | 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Keynote: Halal Business Economics
Speaker: Fathi Abu Farah - CPA, CA - Director, International Professional Group Inc.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Conference Closing & Key Takeaways
Final reflections and future opportunities in the halal economy
Session 7 | 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Understanding the Halal Opportunity in the Canadian Grocery Industry
Speaker: Nick Gibson - Client Business Partner - NielsenIQ
Session 8 | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Mainstream Meets Halal – Retail Strategies for an Inclusive Marketplace
Panelists:
- Onder Ozturk - Director, Customer Business Development - Maple Leaf Foods
- TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break & Prayer
Session 9 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Panel Discussion: Export Smarter – Strategies for Canadian Businesses to Conquer Global Markets
Panelists:
- Jenn Juby – Managing Director - Startup Canada
- Lora Rigutto, CITP® – Partnerships and Community Lead - Forum for International Trade Training (FITT)
- Zeeshanali Fazal – Regional Director at Export Development Canada (EDC)
Session 10 | 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Keynote: Halal Business Economics
Speaker: Fathi Abu Farah - CPA, CA - Director, International Professional Group Inc.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Conference Closing & Key Takeaways
Final reflections and future opportunities in the halal economy