Saima work in business development
Saima Jamal is the founding Program Director of the Calgary Islamic Chamber Institute (CICI), an organization whose mission is to unite Muslim and non-Muslim business together in the pursuit of business and community excellence by and well as provide platforms for professional networking. To learn more about the calgary Islamic Chamber, visit www.calgaryislamicchamber.ca. Here is a highlight of the work of Saima and her very efficient and dedicated executive council through the Calgary Islamic Chamber:
Saima Jamal and co-host Mahmud Rahman and the CICI team hosted a full house in CICI's first event of 2015 on March 18. The event focused on staying aloft in Alberta stormy times of economic recession. The event attracted political hopefuls, economic ventures and community stewards.
For details and even pictures visit here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.921083561270254.1073741837.590198217692125&type=1
For details and even pictures visit here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.921083561270254.1073741837.590198217692125&type=1
JULY 2014 RAMADAN IFTAR DINNER
Saima and team presented a FREE CICI event for our members, non-members and any interested individuals on the Chamber's work: Ramadan Iftar Dinner that focused on business owners and professional's industry night with Hon. Jim Prentice, MLA Manmeet Bhuller, Dr David Liepert, Imam Fayaz Tilly and Dave Angus
Saima and team presented a FREE CICI event for our members, non-members and any interested individuals on the Chamber's work: Ramadan Iftar Dinner that focused on business owners and professional's industry night with Hon. Jim Prentice, MLA Manmeet Bhuller, Dr David Liepert, Imam Fayaz Tilly and Dave Angus
MAY 2014 FINANCIAL LEVERAGE - DINNER AND NETWORKING
On May 21st, Saima and her team hosted the Chamber's second dinner and speed net-working session where PC leadership nomination seeker Ric McIver and Chamber's President Dr David Liepert made introductory remarks. Four other speakers were also hosted and these were:
Omar Abbas, CIBC Wood Gundy, Shariah Compliant Investing
Ahmed ElHommossany, RBC, Commercial business loans (>$250,000)
Ahmed Nafie, RBC, Commercial business loans (<$250,000)
Shauna Blanchette, ATB, Personal Finance for new immigrants
This event was hosted at the Community Space, Eau Claire Market.
On May 21st, Saima and her team hosted the Chamber's second dinner and speed net-working session where PC leadership nomination seeker Ric McIver and Chamber's President Dr David Liepert made introductory remarks. Four other speakers were also hosted and these were:
Omar Abbas, CIBC Wood Gundy, Shariah Compliant Investing
Ahmed ElHommossany, RBC, Commercial business loans (>$250,000)
Ahmed Nafie, RBC, Commercial business loans (<$250,000)
Shauna Blanchette, ATB, Personal Finance for new immigrants
This event was hosted at the Community Space, Eau Claire Market.
MARCH 2014 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
On March 8, Saima hosted the Chamber's International Women's Day where we got together over food and some great conversation to celebrate our lives, ideas and stories. Our discussions were new and eye-opening! We discussed women’s intuition and safety; how to have self-awareness; how not to live in fear; how to have humility; importance of domestic engineering; outside religiosity is not reflective of your true religious intentions; alcohol and gambling addictions in Muslim families; how do you move forward professionally when you don’t have family support; a mom’s dilemma in bringing up her teenage son in an Islamic environment and so many more exhilarating topics! All taking place in a safe, un-judgemental and loving environment of us sisters! Insh'Allah, we plan to continue with this on a monthly basis.
On March 8, Saima hosted the Chamber's International Women's Day where we got together over food and some great conversation to celebrate our lives, ideas and stories. Our discussions were new and eye-opening! We discussed women’s intuition and safety; how to have self-awareness; how not to live in fear; how to have humility; importance of domestic engineering; outside religiosity is not reflective of your true religious intentions; alcohol and gambling addictions in Muslim families; how do you move forward professionally when you don’t have family support; a mom’s dilemma in bringing up her teenage son in an Islamic environment and so many more exhilarating topics! All taking place in a safe, un-judgemental and loving environment of us sisters! Insh'Allah, we plan to continue with this on a monthly basis.
MARCH 2014 ESSENTIALS OF STRUCTURING, BUYING, AND SELLING A BUSINESS
On March 7th 2014, Saima hosted Mohammed Ali Memon at the Islamic Chamber to discuss the essentials of structuring, buying, and selling a business. The event was co-hosted with Muslim Association of Calgary. Along with Ali, we also hosted youth guests from the Muslim Youth Centre. Mahdi Qasqas spoke along with Dr David Liepert who opened the seminar with a talk on Why Commerce is Halal.
On March 7th 2014, Saima hosted Mohammed Ali Memon at the Islamic Chamber to discuss the essentials of structuring, buying, and selling a business. The event was co-hosted with Muslim Association of Calgary. Along with Ali, we also hosted youth guests from the Muslim Youth Centre. Mahdi Qasqas spoke along with Dr David Liepert who opened the seminar with a talk on Why Commerce is Halal.
JULY 2013 – RAMADAN BUSINESS NETWORKING IFTAR
On Thursday July 25, 2013 Saima and team received an unprecedented amount of positive response to our launch of Calgary Islamic Chamber at Royal India Cuisine where 160 people joined us for a business iftar sponsored by local Calgary businessman Mike Jomaa of Modern Beauty salon products. Our mission is to unite Muslims of all sects and Non-Muslims in the pursuit of business and community excellence. Nothing brings people together more than breaking bread and to do that during the month of Ramadan is even more special. It does not just function as bridge of interfaith in our polarized world but also highlights the challenges Muslim businesses and professional face during Ramadan. The tremendous response we recived demonstrated the Muslim business and professional community’s open armed welcome to our new organization. Feedback from this event encouraged us to go full steam with our projects and public outreach events, creating something that will become a fixed part of Calgary's Muslim business/ professional culture. Attendance was overwhelming, and the event raised 6 youth interfaith scholarships and promoted Muslim businesses through raffles draw and mini promotional booth. Speakers in this event consisted of Dr David Liepert, Hussein Amery, Naveen Balkhi and Saima Jamal. They talked about varied topics such as “Islamic Commerce, Calgary and You”, “Small Business Success”, “Contributions of Successful Muslim Women” and “Upcoming events and Projects of the Islamic Chamber”. We appreciated receiving the support of Alberta MLA’s Moe Amery and Donna Kennedy Glans who also spoke in the event.
On Thursday July 25, 2013 Saima and team received an unprecedented amount of positive response to our launch of Calgary Islamic Chamber at Royal India Cuisine where 160 people joined us for a business iftar sponsored by local Calgary businessman Mike Jomaa of Modern Beauty salon products. Our mission is to unite Muslims of all sects and Non-Muslims in the pursuit of business and community excellence. Nothing brings people together more than breaking bread and to do that during the month of Ramadan is even more special. It does not just function as bridge of interfaith in our polarized world but also highlights the challenges Muslim businesses and professional face during Ramadan. The tremendous response we recived demonstrated the Muslim business and professional community’s open armed welcome to our new organization. Feedback from this event encouraged us to go full steam with our projects and public outreach events, creating something that will become a fixed part of Calgary's Muslim business/ professional culture. Attendance was overwhelming, and the event raised 6 youth interfaith scholarships and promoted Muslim businesses through raffles draw and mini promotional booth. Speakers in this event consisted of Dr David Liepert, Hussein Amery, Naveen Balkhi and Saima Jamal. They talked about varied topics such as “Islamic Commerce, Calgary and You”, “Small Business Success”, “Contributions of Successful Muslim Women” and “Upcoming events and Projects of the Islamic Chamber”. We appreciated receiving the support of Alberta MLA’s Moe Amery and Donna Kennedy Glans who also spoke in the event.
SEPTEMBER 2013 – BUSINESS, MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
In September 28, Saima hosted CICI's first Business, Marketing and Technology Conference: Switching to Success. This event brought together Muslim and non-Muslim professionals on a full day meeting over breakfast and lunch to discuss trends in Calgary's economy and how Muslim businesses and Professionals can contribute towards strengthening it. The 100 participants that attended this conference went home inspired and equipped with innovative business and personal marketing skills as well as different ways of knowledge acquisition related to their career. Keynotes were delivered by CICI President Dr David Liepert and Business News Network’s commentator Mark Frey. Calgary Flames Business Coach Oliver Baezner and marketing magnet Ahmed Rammay talked about the need to form strategic partnerships in businesses and how your personal brand can affect people’s perceptions of you. University of Calgary’s Uzma Ahmed offered even more good news on how to obtain free post-secondary education from elite North American Universities and Shafakat Syed showed us how we can share this knowledge amongst our peers. Samosa Grill’s owner Zarina Boga taught us the need for spirituality and community good works while running a business; and professionalism expert Aftab Sabir taught us to take ownership of where we live. If that wasn’t enough to inspire us all, a standing ovation was granted to a recent graduate from the University of Calgary, Marina Khadidzsa who lead by example and told us women can shatter all impossibilities if our intentions/ niyyah for everything we pursue is for the sake of Allah.
In September 28, Saima hosted CICI's first Business, Marketing and Technology Conference: Switching to Success. This event brought together Muslim and non-Muslim professionals on a full day meeting over breakfast and lunch to discuss trends in Calgary's economy and how Muslim businesses and Professionals can contribute towards strengthening it. The 100 participants that attended this conference went home inspired and equipped with innovative business and personal marketing skills as well as different ways of knowledge acquisition related to their career. Keynotes were delivered by CICI President Dr David Liepert and Business News Network’s commentator Mark Frey. Calgary Flames Business Coach Oliver Baezner and marketing magnet Ahmed Rammay talked about the need to form strategic partnerships in businesses and how your personal brand can affect people’s perceptions of you. University of Calgary’s Uzma Ahmed offered even more good news on how to obtain free post-secondary education from elite North American Universities and Shafakat Syed showed us how we can share this knowledge amongst our peers. Samosa Grill’s owner Zarina Boga taught us the need for spirituality and community good works while running a business; and professionalism expert Aftab Sabir taught us to take ownership of where we live. If that wasn’t enough to inspire us all, a standing ovation was granted to a recent graduate from the University of Calgary, Marina Khadidzsa who lead by example and told us women can shatter all impossibilities if our intentions/ niyyah for everything we pursue is for the sake of Allah.
NOVEMBER 2013 – LEARNING SESSION ON BUSINESS TAXATION
In this interactive session, 22 participants joined us for an overview of how business income is taxed in Canada and how different structures are used to maximize income tax deferral or savings. The presenter, Esmail Bharwani, a seasoned tax lawyer/ accountant engaged the audience using non-technical language in our understanding of taxable business income
In this interactive session, 22 participants joined us for an overview of how business income is taxed in Canada and how different structures are used to maximize income tax deferral or savings. The presenter, Esmail Bharwani, a seasoned tax lawyer/ accountant engaged the audience using non-technical language in our understanding of taxable business income
NOVEMBER 2013 – DINNER & SPEED NETWORKING
The crowd consisted of a diverse group of fifty professionals attending the first speed networking event for the Calgary Islamic Chamber. The event comprised of professionals that were networking, seeking employment, hiring, new grads and the seasoned headliners. The evening began with a casual dinner where participants had an opportunity to mingle in the festively decorated atrium of CICI’s professional office in NE, Calgary. The Islamic Chamber hosted five seasoned professionals with diverse professional backgrounds: Mr. Raj Sharma, Dr David Liepert, Mr. Zahir Ahmed and Mr. Adnan Ahmed; Ms. Uzma Ahmed emceed the event facilitated the networking.
The crowd consisted of a diverse group of fifty professionals attending the first speed networking event for the Calgary Islamic Chamber. The event comprised of professionals that were networking, seeking employment, hiring, new grads and the seasoned headliners. The evening began with a casual dinner where participants had an opportunity to mingle in the festively decorated atrium of CICI’s professional office in NE, Calgary. The Islamic Chamber hosted five seasoned professionals with diverse professional backgrounds: Mr. Raj Sharma, Dr David Liepert, Mr. Zahir Ahmed and Mr. Adnan Ahmed; Ms. Uzma Ahmed emceed the event facilitated the networking.