Al-Qalam 
By Nabeelah Shaikh
The inaugural Ummah Tech Conference is set to make waves in the South African tech landscape. The event will be held on November 23 at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg. This groundbreaking event aims to unite Muslim technologists, entrepreneurs, and innovators under one roof, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and innovation.
The conference is designed to empower the Muslim community in harnessing technology to address the challenges faced by society.
“Our mission is simple yet profound: Empowering and growing technology, by the Ummah, for all of humanity,” said Ismail Dhorat, the event director.
Dhorat says he believes that Muslims have a unique role to play in shaping the future of technology and its impact on the world. “The event will be a platform for connection and growth. Ummah Tech is more than just a conference; it’s a movement to establish a dynamic ecosystem of Muslim technologists,” said Dhorat.
With a lineup of esteemed speakers, the event promises insightful discussions that will inspire attendees to think innovatively.
Some of the speakers will include: Dawood Patel, CEO of Helm, who brings a wealth of experience in tech entrepreneurship; Haroon Meer, founder of Thinkst, known for his expertise in cybersecurity; Naweed Khan, an AI Research Scientist dedicated to advancing technology for social good, and Tasneem Mohammed, Social Innovation Director at Smart Communities, who focuses on community-driven solutions.
“Each of these thought leaders will share their insights on various topics, encouraging attendees to engage deeply with the material presented,” said Dhorat.
Dhorat says the event comes at a crucial time, particularly in light of recent global crises.
“In South Africa, we had a very huge humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza, but there weren’t any tech projects that were launched in response. This realisation has driven us to facilitate a stronger tech ecosystem here. By creating a space for collaboration and education, Ummah Tech seeks to inspire participants to develop tech-driven solutions for societal issues,” said Dhorat.
He said an experience at a similar conference in London also inspired him to get this going in South Africa.
“After the genocide in Gaza happened, I started noticing a lot of projects coming out of the UK and the US and I was trying to figure out why and when I attended a similar conference in London, I realised the reasons why. They’ve got a very strong tech ecosystem and they were able to respond to the crisis by organising hackathons, events and talks. I witnessed how a robust tech ecosystem could quickly mobilise in times of need. If we can create an ecosystem in South Africa where people collaborate, we can also respond effectively to crises and help each other,” he said.
He said the Ummah Tech Conference is designed for everyone, from seasoned technologists to those contemplating a career shift into the tech sector.
Dhorat also emphasised the conference’s inclusive approach:
“We’ve got various topics catering to a diverse audience, including those who want to start something new in tech or leave their corporate careers to pursue something more meaningful,” said Dhorat.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a network of top Muslim technologists, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
“They will learn from experts in various fields who will provide valuable insights into the intersection of technology and social impact. They will be Inspired to innovate and lead within their communities, harnessing technology for good. And will make an Impact by collaborating on projects that address real-world challenges,” said Dhorat.
In addition to the enriching talks and workshops, participants will have ample opportunities to network, forming lasting business relationships that could foster future collaborations.
Dhorat pointed out that Ummah Tech aims to not only educate but also inspire change.
“If we can change people’s minds and encourage them to do something different, that will be a well-won objective,” Dhorat says.
Dhorat encourages all innovators, creatives, business owners and anyone who is interested in tech to be part of a transformative experience that could shape the future of technology for the Muslim Ummah in South Africa and beyond.
Hasanain Abdullah, a media liaison officer for the conference, says the excitement is building up. “There’s been a positive response to the event and this can be attributed to the diverse speaker line-up. Participants are really looking forward to the tech thought leaders’ presentations as well as getting an opportunity to network. There will also be an opportunity to purchase tickets and make it available to worthy candidates who may want to attend, but do not have the financial means to do so,” said Abdullah.
Tickets are available via Quicket.
