8:45 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.
Opening Ceremony
- Opening Ceremony
Master of Ceremony: Bassel Sabri
National Anthem: GEMS Al Khaleej International School Students
Keynote Speech: Dr. Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, GEMS Education
Speeches from the Founders: Reem Madkour & Deema Al Alami
Bassel Sabri
Dr. Ghadeer Abu-Shamat
Reem Madkour
Deema Al Alami
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Panel Discussion
- Schools & Families: An Honest Conversation on Partnership Through Your Arab Child's Learning Journey
Schools and families share the same goal, to see every child thrive. This panel offers an open and honest conversation about how both sides can work together to support your Arab child’s learning journey. It will explore how schools can better understand and reflect the needs, values, and identity of Arab students, and how parents can actively engage with educators to create a supportive environment. Panelists will discuss communication, trust, and shared responsibility, as well as practical strategies for overcoming challenges. The conversation will highlight the importance of partnership in building confidence, nurturing talents, and ensuring that Arab children feel seen, valued, and equipped to succeed academically and personally.
Sponsored by GEMS Education
Muna Hajir
Habiba Hamdan
Rasha Husni Ali Hijazi
Mai Moeen Yaghmour
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Reclaiming Childhood: Mental Health, Culture & The Future of the Arab Family
Across the Arab world, children are growing up in families that value resilience, dignity, and strength. But in this search for stability, one thing often goes unnoticed : how emotional pain hides behind silence.
This panel brings together clinical experts and lived experience to explore what Arab children face when they can’t find the words to express distress.
From school refusal to perfectionism, from parental pride to invisible pressure, we’ll unpack how culture shapes emotional pain and how it can also shape healing.
Through real stories and culturally attuned care models, our speakers will show how it’s possible to protect children’s mental health without losing cultural identity. Because preserving childhood is not about letting go of our values it’s about expanding what protection means.
Sponsored by Workplace Options
Dana Bissar
Dr. Kennette Thigpen
Jeffrey Gereige
Marianne Khlat
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Building Foundations: Arabic Language and Culture in the Early Years
The early years are a critical time for shaping a child’s language, identity, and connection to culture. This panel will explore how parents, educators, and communities can intentionally build strong foundations in Arabic language and cultural values from the very start of a child’s life. The discussion will address the role of Arabic in fostering a sense of belonging, emotional connection, and pride in heritage, especially in multilingual environments. Panelists will share practical strategies for weaving Arabic naturally into daily routines, play, and storytelling, making it a living language in the home and classroom. Together, we will reflect on how these early experiences shape a child’s worldview and strengthen their identity as confident, connected Arab individuals.
Sponsored by Alif Ya Nursery
Helena Adel Moawad
Noora AlSaadi
Dr. Yahia Alramamneh
Nahla AlMalki
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Raising Digital Natives: AI and What It Means For the Arab Family
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept; it is shaping how we live, learn, and connect every day. This panel explores what AI means for the Arab family, from opportunities that enhance learning and productivity to challenges around ethics, safety, and balance. The conversation will look at how AI tools can be used to support children’s education, creativity, and critical thinking, while also addressing the risks of overconsumption and dependency. Panelists will share insights on preparing the next generation to be informed, responsible, and ethical digital citizens. This is an essential dialogue for parents, educators, and community members seeking to embrace innovation while preserving values, culture, and human connection in the digital age.
Rima Saad Azar
Nafez Dakkak
Fatima Alkaabi
Marwa Khost
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Literature, Literacy & Arab Identity
Literature is a powerful bridge between identity, culture, and the world. This panel explores how reading and storytelling can nurture a strong Arab identity while fostering a love of literature in future generations. The discussion will examine the role of books in preserving language, reflecting authentic narratives, and inspiring critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. Panelists will share insights on how families, schools, and communities can work together to make reading an integral part of everyday life, and how the literary world can better represent Arab voices on the global stage. This conversation invites reflection on how literature can both safeguard our heritage and empower Arab children to engage confidently with the wider world.
In Partnership with Emirates Literature Foundation
Deema Al Alami
Ahlam Albolooki
Dr. Hanada Taha
Manar Hazzaa
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Seminar
- Captain Majed and the Arabic Language: What Neuroscience Reveals About Language Learning Myths
What makes Arabic unique, and why do myths persist about the gap between colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic? In this seminar, Nafez Dakkak draws on neuroscience, linguistics, sociology and history to challenge long-held misconceptions about how Arab children and adults learn and use their language(s).
Using the cultural lens of “Captain Majed,” he centers the utility of language as a means for communication and illustrates how our brains adapt to multiple registers of Arabic and how both colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic play vital roles in identity and literacy. In this seminar Nafez will discuss the issue of Arabic diglossia and how we need to bridge from the different Arabic vernaculars to MSA to give our children the best chance in life and in school.
Participants will gain new insights into language learning, discover why certain assumptions about Arabic are misleading and potentially harmful, and explore practical implications for parents, educators, and policymakers invested in nurturing strong Arabic language skills.
Nafez Dakkak
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Seminar
- What Our Grandmothers Told, Our Children Carry: The Role of Folktales in Parenting and Collective Memory
This seminar explores the timeless power of oral storytelling as a parenting tool within the Arab family. Through years of anthropological and folkloric fieldwork, Rawan Alfuraih has studied how folktales were entangled with collective memory, bodily memory, identity, and emotional bonds in early twentieth-century Saudi mud homes. In the Najd region, children were exposed daily to storytelling woven into the mud architecture and social life of the village. These performances were not simply entertainment but embodied expressions of a worldview that reinforced shared memory and belonging. Storytelling was an intimate ritual, a moment of connection between adults and children, rooted in everyday encounters. Today, revisiting these practices offers insight into how storytelling can preserve cultural memory and strengthen family life—an invitation to revive it within the Arab home as a living bridge between generations.
Rawan Alfuraih
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Seminar
- How Children Flourish: The Power of Relationships in Arab Families
Every parent dream of seeing their child confident, happy, and thriving. But what makes the real difference? It’s not expensive toys – it’s the everyday relationships that surround a child.
In this session, Nancy Merheb will take you on a powerful journey into the science of flourishing, seen through the Arab family lens. You’ll discover:
How an involved father can become a child’s greatest source of strength and success
How grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins build a child’s identity and sense of belonging
How even nannies – when guided with love and wisdom – can become safe, nurturing allies
With global research and insights from Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, this session will leave you with practical steps to strengthen your family bonds and create the warm “circle of care” your child needs to thrive.
In Partnership with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority
Nancy Merheb
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Seminar
- The Evolution of the Arab Family and its Impact on Child Development
The structure, roles, and rhythms of Arab family life have transformed across generations. This seminar explores how cultural, economic, and societal shifts have shaped the modern Arab household. From parenting styles to gender dynamics to the influence of globalization, we will reflect on what has changed, what remains constant, and what these changes mean for today’s parents and children. The session offers a thoughtful overview of past and present trends, inviting participants to consider how to navigate family life with intention, awareness, and cultural grounding in a rapidly changing world.
Sponsored by Aman Lil Afia Clinic
Dr. Hind Alrustamani
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Seminar
- Diagnosing to Empower: Supporting Arab Children with Different Academic Needs
Accurate and culturally sensitive diagnosis is the first step toward empowering Arab children with different academic needs. This seminar will explore how timely evaluations can identify learning differences such as developmental language disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism, particularly in multilingual contexts. It will highlight strategies to build on each child’s strengths, promote inclusion, and create effective support systems through collaboration between families, schools, and mental health professionals. The session will be led by Rama Kanj, Educational Psychologist and Co-Founder of The Valens Clinic, and Tameem Allam, Speech and Language Therapist and Head of Speech and Language Therapy at The Valens Clinic, who bring extensive expertise in assessment, intervention, and supporting children’s educational and developmental growth.
Sponsored by Valens Clinic
Rama Kanj
Tameem Allam
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Workshop
- Healthy Relationships: Siblings, Cousins & Friends
This interactive workshop explores how to guide children in building healthy, respectful relationships with siblings, cousins, and peers. Parents will learn practical tools to support conflict resolution, emotional safety, and mutual respect in everyday interactions.
Leading the workshop is Maysaa Fahour, a conscious parenting coach and educator with over twenty years of experience supporting families. Known for her emotionally intelligent and grounded approach, Maysaa combines research-based insights with real-life strategies that work, especially with strong-willed children. In this session, she helps Arab families nurture connection without control, and compassion without chaos. Walk away with tools that bring calm to sibling dynamics and help your child develop positive, lasting relationships rooted in empathy and trust.
Maysaa Fahour
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Workshop
- Raising a Financially Confident Generation: Money Management and Entrepreneurship for Arab Children
An interactive workshop introducing parents to practical ways of raising financially confident and entrepreneurial children. Participants will explore how everyday experiences can become lessons in saving, investing, and building ideas that combine profit with purpose. Through simple tools such as money ladders and age-appropriate business planning, parents will learn how to inspire creativity, responsibility, and generosity at home.
The workshop is co-led by Mona Jaber, founder of Maison Tini and the Tinipreneurs Bootcamp, where children ages 6–12 years learn to think like “tinipreneurs,” and Reem El Tal, community engagement manager at Leap, the UAE’s pocket money app and card dedicated to building strong money habits in children empowering them to manage their finances from a young age. Together, they will guide parents in nurturing children to approach money with imagination, confidence, and a deep sense of social impact.
Sponsored by Maison Tini & Leap Technologies Ltd
Mona Jaber
Reem El Tal
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Workshop
- Parenting with Faith: A Bridge Between Tradition and Modern Consciousness in Raising Children
This interactive workshop invites parents to view their parenting journey through a spiritual and intentional lens. Rather than chasing perfection, participants will explore how to embrace the sacredness of parenthood, deepen connection with their children, and align daily choices with their values.
Facilitated by Rasha AlShubaian, a leadership and parenting coach with over two decades of experience, this workshop blends emotional intelligence, conscious leadership, and holistic parenting. Rasha guides Arab families to pause, reflect, and rediscover purpose in their parenting journey. Whether you are navigating challenges or seeking renewal, this workshop will help you parent with presence, gratitude, and spiritual grounding rooted in your culture, identity, and faith.
Rasha Alshubaian
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Workshop
- Language, Identity & Everyday Choices: Crafting Your Family’s Unique Arabic Policy
This interactive workshop guides parents in exploring how everyday language choices at home shape their children’s identity, sense of belonging, and connection to Arabic. Participants will reflect on their current practices, both spoken and unspoken, and learn how to intentionally shape a family language policy rooted in their unique values and routines.
Leading the workshop is Dr. Reem Razem, a specialist in Family Language Policy with over twenty years of experience in bilingual education and teaching Arabic to native and non-native speakers in multilingual contexts. Drawing from research and real-life examples, she helps parents build a sustainable plan for nurturing Arabic at home, one that balances reality with aspiration and empowers families to strengthen their children’s relationship with their mother tongue.
Dr. Reem Razem
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Workshop
- Living Intentionally: Reconnecting With Your Authentic Self as an Arab Mother
This interactive workshop invites Arab mothers to slow down, tune into their inner voice and parent from a place of clarity, presence and authenticity. Through guided reflection, somatic practices and creative expression, participants will explore what it means to live with intention while carrying the emotional weight of motherhood.
Facilitated by Haya Bitar — an ontological coach and art therapy professional — the session weaves together philosophy, embodiment and emotional awareness to support personal growth and deep self-connection. Haya holds space for mothers to pause the noise of daily life and reconnect with who they really are beneath the many roles they inhabit.
This workshop offers a nurturing space for self-discovery and building the inner resilience needed to lead and love with intention.
Sponsored by Blue Turtle
Haya Bitar
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Navigate Social Media for Ourselves and Our Children?"
What happens when our parenting is constantly influenced by the pull of social media? This Town Hall opens an honest conversation about distraction, comparison, and the pressure to always be “on” in the digital world. Facilitated by Luna El Khaldy, Psychologist (HRIC Dubai), Digital Wellbeing Consultant, and founder of Undistracted Parenting, the session invites families to reflect on how social media shapes connection, presence, and mental wellbeing at home. Through open dialogue and shared stories, participants will explore practical ways to set boundaries, model balance, and create tech habits that serve rather than overwhelm. This is a space to pause, rethink our digital choices, and imagine a family culture rooted in presence, purpose, and true connection.
Luna El Khaldy
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Manage Our Arab Children's Digital World?"
From screen time to online safety, the digital world presents real challenges for modern families. This Town Hall offers a practical space to explore how to guide children toward healthy digital habits and protect them from risks. The session includes tools to manage screen time, support digital responsibility, and create safe online environments. Parents will be invited to share their questions, concerns, and everyday struggles with technology. Together, we will exchange tips, reflect on family tech culture, and walk away with greater clarity and confidence in navigating the digital world.
Tala Zein
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Build Trust With Our Arab Children?"
Trust is the foundation of every healthy parent-child relationship, but how do we build it, and how do we repair it when it is broken? This Town Hall opens up a space to reflect on how trust is created in everyday interactions, especially when families are facing challenges such as trauma, neurodivergence, or emotional disconnection.
Facilitated by Dr. Asmahan Saleh Khalil, a licensed child psychologist and expert in trauma-informed care, this session invites honest dialogue, real questions, and shared wisdom. Together, we will explore how to strengthen trust in our homes with compassion and clarity, and how to support our children in feeling emotionally safe, seen, and understood.
Dr. Asmahan Khalil
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Navigate Puberty With Our Arab Boys and Girls?"
Puberty is a complex and often sensitive stage for Arab boys and girls, filled with physical, emotional, and social changes. In this town hall, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Azi Berzengi will open with a concise overview of how culture, family dynamics, and communication shape the puberty experience. He will then pose a big guiding question to spark an open dialogue: How can Arab parents best support their children through this stage with understanding, empathy, and confidence? The session invites participants to share experiences, raise concerns, and explore practical, culturally sensitive approaches. Together, we will reflect on how to guide the next generation through puberty as a stage of growth, self-awareness, and healthy identity formation.
Azi Berzengi
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Design Our Arab Children's Bilingual Journey?"
In today’s globalized world, parents often wonder how to nurture their Arab children’s bilingual abilities—balancing Arabic with other languages while keeping identity and culture strong. This Town Hall creates a safe and welcoming space for parents to reflect, ask questions, and share personal experiences about raising bilingual children. Together, we will explore the role of family practices, emotional connection, and everyday habits in supporting children’s language journeys. The session is not about rigid rules, but about intention, presence, and practical ideas that families can take home. Participants will be encouraged to contribute their insights, listen to diverse perspectives, and think about how bilingualism can become a source of pride, confidence, and opportunity for Arab children in a fast-changing world.
Sponsored by Dardasha
Reem Madkour
8:45 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.
Opening Session
- Opening Session
Master of Ceremony: Bassel Sabri
National Anthem: GEMS Al Khaleej International School Students
Speeches from the Founders: Reem Madkour & Deema Al Alami
Bassel Sabri
Reem Madkour
Deema Al Alami
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Panel Discussion
- Language Starts at Home: Fostering Arabic Language & Identity in Everyday Life
Language is more than words; it is the foundation of identity and belonging. This panel explores how the journey of nurturing Arabic begins at home, woven into the small, everyday moments that shape a child’s world. The conversation will highlight how families can integrate Arabic naturally into play, storytelling, routines, and conversations, creating an environment where the language thrives alongside cultural pride. Panelists will share ideas for making Arabic engaging and relevant to children’s lives, while also addressing the challenges of bilingual and multilingual households. This is a space to reflect on the role of parents and caregivers in preserving both language and heritage, ensuring that the next generation grows up connected to their mother tongue.
Sarah Btaddini
Lujain Abulfaraj
Mirame Khamis
Ottbah Mohammad
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Global Citizens: Raising Arab Children to be Future Leaders
How do we raise Arab children who are deeply rooted in their heritage, yet confidently navigate an increasingly globalized world? This panel explores the delicate balance between preserving cultural identity and embracing global citizenship. It will examine how parents can proactively nurture a strong sense of self, purpose, and belonging in their children, while also encouraging curiosity, openness, and a connection to the wider world. The discussion will highlight ways to inspire the next generation to lead with compassion, responsibility, and a drive to make meaningful contributions through charity, civic engagement, and social impact. A vital conversation for anyone committed to raising future leaders who honor their past while shaping a better future.
In partnership with Expo City Dubai.
Maysa Jalbout
Marjan Faraidooni
Basem Abudagga
Razan Bashiti
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Strong From the Inside Out: A Holistic Approach to Healthy Arab Families
Health is more than the absence of illness, it is the harmony of mind, body, and spirit. This panel explores a holistic approach to building healthy Arab families from the inside out. The conversation will address how nutrition, movement, emotional well-being, and balanced lifestyles work together to create resilience and vitality in the Arab context. Panelists will share practical strategies for improving family health, from supporting children’s growth and managing stress to fostering strong emotional connections at home. The discussion will also highlight how self-care and preventive habits can transform daily life, making wellness a shared Arab family value. This session offers inspiration and tools for Arab families to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally while honoring their cultural identity and traditions.
Sponsored by The Broth Lab & Bumblebee
Adnan Alhashimi
Farah Ghanem
Hadil Al-Khatib
Imad Naassi
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Rooted and Rising: Identity and Belonging of the Arab Child
Children’s identity in the Arab world is at a crossroads. Family, school, and community remain essential transmitters of belonging, yet global drivers such as digital platforms and shifting norms are reshaping how children see themselves and their culture. Parents carry a dual mission: to root their children in enduring values while preparing them to thrive in an interconnected world. This panel explores how Arab children negotiate between inherited roots and emerging influences, the weight of global pressures from media and gaming, and the role of families, schools, and policymakers in balancing rootedness with openness. Through reflective dialogue, panelists will share practical ways to nurture identity, offering families actionable strategies to help Arab children grow both rooted and rising.
In Partnership with Strategy& Middle East
Nabih AlHajji
H.E. Dr. Layla Alhyas
Rasha Salem
Dr. Amani Batakji Chazy
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Panel Discussion
- Arts & Media: An Extension of Arab Identity
From the rhythm of dance to the voices of podcasts and the strokes of a paintbrush, culture is both a mirror and a compass, reflecting who we are and guiding who we become. This panel will explore representation as resistance against erasure and the ways in which creative expression abstract identity and belonging. Panelists will discuss narrative as a critical tool to preserving heritage and creating futures. Through this conversation, we reflect on culture’s ability to share our local perspectives with global communities.
In Partnership with Art Jameel, Sowt Podcasts & Shamandar
Uns Kattan
Mohammed Alfaraj
Aya Ali
Tala Atrouni
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Seminar
- Choosing The Right Curriculum & School for Your Arab Child
Choosing the right curriculum and school is one of the most important decisions parents can make for their child’s future. This seminar will guide parents through understanding the different curricula available, from national to international programs, and how each can impact academic growth, cultural identity, and future opportunities. It will explore what factors to consider beyond academics, such as language of instruction, cultural representation, extracurricular activities, and values alignment. The discussion will highlight the importance of a school environment that nurtures both global skills and a strong Arab identity. Parents will leave with practical tips and clear questions to ask when evaluating schools, empowering them to make informed choices that best serve their child’s learning journey.
Sponsored by GEMS Education
Mary Saad
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Seminar
- AI & the Arab Family: A Practical Introduction for Parents
This seminar offers a clear and practical introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its role in the modern Arab household. Parents will explore how AI tools can support learning, improve time management, and enhance online safety for children. The session is designed to simplify complex concepts and provide hands-on examples that families can use in everyday life.
Leading the seminar is Rima Saad Azar, a licensed AI trainer specialized in business efficiency. Drawing on years of experience training individuals and families across the Arab world, Rima understands the complexity of raising children in a fast-changing digital world. Her approach blends technical clarity with empathy, helping families use AI tools ethically, confidently, and in line with their values.
Rima Saad Azar
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Seminar
- Beyond Hormones: How Parents Shape the Puberty Journey for Their Arab Boys & Girls
Puberty is a transformative stage that shapes not only a child’s body, but also their emotions, relationships, and sense of self. In Arab families, this journey is deeply influenced by cultural values, communication styles, and parental guidance. This seminar will explore how parents can play an active and supportive role in helping their sons and daughters navigate the physical, emotional, and social changes of adolescence with confidence and resilience. Dr. Azi Berzengi, UK-trained Consultant Clinical Psychologist, will share practical strategies rooted in evidence-based approaches and cultural sensitivity. The discussion will highlight how open dialogue, empathy, and informed guidance can help Arab boys and girls approach puberty as a stage of growth, self-awareness, and healthy identity formation.
Azi Berzengi
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Seminar
- Cyber Safety: How to Play An Active Role In Your Arab Child's Digital World
This seminar equips parents with the knowledge and tools to actively support their children in the digital age. From screen addiction to exposure to harmful content, the session explores the most common risks children and teens face online today. Parents will learn how to foster healthy boundaries, encourage open dialogue, and use practical tools to create safer digital environments at home.
Leading the seminar is Tala Zein, a cybersecurity and digital safety expert dedicated to making online safety accessible for families. With a focus on Arabic-speaking communities, she works to close the digital safety gap by offering realistic, culturally sensitive guidance that empowers parents to raise safe, responsible, and informed digital citizens.
Tala Zein
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Seminar
- Safe to Speak: Preventative Sexual Health Education for Arab Families
This seminar empowers parents with the tools to teach children body safety while building lasting trust within the Arab family. Through practical strategies and sensitive communication, attendees will learn how to introduce body boundaries, help children express themselves, and recognize warning signs of abuse.
Leading the seminar is Dr. Asmahan Saleh Khalil, a licensed child psychologist and behavior analyst with over 14 years of experience in trauma-informed care and abuse prevention. Her work focuses on early intervention and safeguarding across home, school, and clinical settings. With a deep understanding of Arab family dynamics, Dr. Asmahan offers guidance rooted in compassion, cultural relevance, and evidence-based practice.
Dr. Asmahan Khalil
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Workshop
- Changing Brains, Growing Potential: Everyday Therapeutic Tools for Neurodiverse Arab Families
This interactive workshop empowers parents of neurodivergent children with one powerful truth: change is possible biologically, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Led by Louloua Smadi El Hajj, the session blends clinical expertise, personal experience, and a deep understanding of Arab family life. Parents will explore a brain-informed, play-based, and biology-rooted approach to parenting.
The workshop introduces neurofeedback therapy and other tools to support nervous system regulation, independence, and long-term brain growth. Parents will learn how to shift brain patterns and use everyday interactions to spark real change.
Whether your child is autistic, has ADHD, or faces other developmental differences, this session will guide you from managing behavior to growing the brain—with science, compassion, and practical strategies
Sponsored by All Brains Grow, Inc.
Louloua Smadi El Hajj
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Workshop
- Enhance Your Parenting: Active Listening, Journaling & Gratitude Practices for the Arab Family
Parenting is a constant balance of guiding, nurturing, and connecting. This interactive workshop offers parents simple, reflective tools to strengthen emotional connection and cultivate calm at home. Participants will learn how to use active listening to better understand their children, journaling to process parenting moments, and gratitude practices to foster resilience and joy in daily family life.
Facilitated by Fatima AlSaad, a writer, educator, and wellness advocate, the workshop blends practical tools with deep emotional awareness. Fatima draws from a rich background in education, healing, and the arts to guide parents toward more mindful, compassionate parenting. The session supports Arab families in navigating challenges with presence, helping them build stronger bonds and a home culture grounded in empathy, clarity, and intention.
Fatima AlSaad
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Workshop
- Regulate Together: The Power of Co-Regulation in Parenting
This interactive workshop explores how parents can build emotionally safe homes through the power of co-regulation. When parents learn to regulate themselves alongside their children, they create deeper connection, reduce daily conflict, and model lifelong emotional resilience.
Facilitated by Zeena Assam, an educator and transformative coach with over 20 years of experience, this workshop blends science, intuition, and mindful presence. Zeena will guide parents through practical tools drawn from somatic therapy, conscious parenting, and real-life family dynamics. Designed for Arab families navigating the stresses of modern life, this workshop empowers caregivers to slow down, tune in, and lead from calm. Come away with strategies that help you parent with intention, warmth, and steady emotional grounding.
Zeena Assam
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Workshop
- Heart Centered Parenting: Islamic Psychology and Raising Children
This interactive and experiential workshop will explore the interplay between our understanding of Islamic teachings and how that shapes how we raise our children. From an Islamic framework, this heart-centered workshop will explore questions such as “How do we help our children process their emotions from an Islamic perspective?” and “How do we foster within them a moral compass that keeps them grounded?” and “How can we embody for our children what we aim to teach them”.
Manar Ghamian
Mozynah Nofal
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Workshop
- Tactical Empathy: Processing Trauma and Building Resilience in your Arab Family
This interactive workshop offers parents a practical approach to healing emotional wounds, managing daily stress, and building resilience within the Arab family. Participants will explore the concept of “tactical empathy,” which blends emotional awareness with strategic tools for supporting themselves and their loved ones.
Facilitated by Rami Shtieh, a mental health practitioner and crisis intervention specialist, the workshop introduces effective techniques drawn from his work in trauma care and strategic communication. Parents will learn how to process their own experiences, approach sensitive conversations with confidence, and create emotionally safe spaces at home. This workshop helps families move from survival mode to a grounded, connected, and empowered way of living.
Rami Shtieh
10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Raise Children Rooted in Faith?"
In a noisy, fast-paced world, how can we help children stay grounded, present, and connected to something bigger than themselves? This Town Hall explores the role of values, inner calm, and emotional awareness in nurturing a child’s spiritual connection. The session creates a space for parents to share, reflect, and learn from each other’s experiences. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, offer insights, and consider how to bring spirituality into their homes in simple, meaningful ways. It is not about perfection, but about intention and presence.
Rasha Alshubaian
11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Rebuild the Village in the Diaspora?"
What happens when we raise our children far from our language, culture, and extended families? This Town Hall opens up an honest conversation about belonging, isolation, and the longing for community among Arab families living abroad.
Facilitated by Hanan Ezzeldin, parenting educator and founder of The Family Hub, the session invites parents to reflect on how we can recreate a “village” of shared values, support, and collective care. Through open dialogue, shared stories, and practical ideas, participants will explore how to build strong circles of trust in unfamiliar places. This is a space to connect, brainstorm, and remember that raising a child was never meant to be done alone.
Hanan Ezzeldin
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Encourage Arab Children to Build Healthy Relationships?"
What does a healthy relationship look like for a child? This Town Hall explores how we can help children develop emotionally safe, respectful, and resilient connections with siblings, peers, and others. Together, we will reflect on emotional safety, conflict repair, and the everyday opportunities that shape how children learn to relate.
Facilitated by conscious parenting coach Maysaa Fahour, the conversation invites parents to share experiences, ask questions, and explore strategies for guiding children toward emotionally balanced relationships. Whether you are navigating sibling rivalry or looking to nurture emotional intelligence, this space offers a supportive environment for reflection, connection, and growth—reminding us that strong relationships start at home.
Maysaa Fahour
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Develop and Nurture a Love for Reading at Home?"
In a world speeding up, overtaken by technology and endless screens, the place of reading is shifting. Reading in Arabic, in particular, faces serious challenges. This Town Hall invites parents and caregivers to reflect on how we can develop and nurture reading in Arabic at home, wherever Arab families may be. Together, we will explore how small choices create lasting impacts: from bedtime storytelling to family reading rituals, from letting children choose their own books to modeling joyful reading habits. Led by award-winning Egyptian children’s book author and researcher Manar Hazzaa, the session offers a safe space for honest dialogue, shared experiences, and practical ideas to inspire a lasting love of Arabic reading.
Manar Hazzaa
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Townhall
- "How Do We Nurture Secure Attachment in the Early Years?"
Parenting does not begin the day a child is born—it begins long before, in the emotional world of expectant and even future parents. This Town Hall, led by Dr. Madonna Yanni, Consultant Psychiatrist and Circle of Security facilitator, invites families to reflect on how perinatal wellbeing shapes the foundation of secure attachment. Together, we will explore how our own histories, expectations, and emotional regulation prepare us for the journey of parenthood. Participants will learn how the Circle of Security framework offers simple yet powerful tools for building safety, presence, and trust from the very start. Through open dialogue, this session creates space to rethink how we approach parenting—as a journey that begins before birth.
