Ummah Tech 2026
This year's stage brings together Muslim founders, technology leaders, strategists and community builders working across software, AI, design, digital transformation, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Muhammad Simjee: CEO and Co-founder of A2D24
Nazeer Jamal: Environmental scientist, entrepreneur and media founder
Shabirah Abdullah: Technology leader, entrepreneur and community advocate
Nigel (Mika'il) Williamson: Head of Design at Postbank and Ummah Tech founding member
Khaliq Dollie: Digital transformation advisor and Founder of Haytham Digital
Nabeela Vally — Head of Growth at Edge Growth
Zakiyya Cassimjee: Award-winning African IT executive
Sameer Mahomed: Entrepreneur and Founder
Different industries. Different experiences. One shared question: what should we be building, and who is it for?
This year's theme is Growing Madinah. The Prophetic Madinah was more than a city. It was a working model for a thriving society, with institutions for economic growth, justice and leadership built on a foundation of faith. This year we're asking how we grow Madinah in South Africa today, through faith, technology and collective action.
The programme is built around five themes:
The Madinah Operating System. What infrastructure do our communities need for education, governance, welfare and arbitration? And which emerging technologies, from AI and Web3 to biotech and quantum, should we be shaping instead of just consuming?
AI and our role in it. How to build AI around justice, mercy and stewardship. What AI is doing to jobs, education, governance and the environment. How it can serve business, zakat and social good. And how we raise the next generation in an AI-driven world.
Building for South Africa. Technology that tackles inequality, unemployment and education gaps: tech rooted in justice, not just profit, and local solutions that can scale globally.
From consumers to creators. Entrepreneurship and creativity: the mentorship, capital and collaboration Muslim founders need, and why Muslim representation in tech and media matters.
Digital media for justice. Countering online censorship, building independent platforms, and helping activists, journalists and technologists get the truth heard.
Why we're gathering
Published at: 26-09-2026 20:46
Technology is shaping how we learn, trade, govern and believe, and much of what we use every day carries someone else's values. We've all been asking the same questions. How do we use technology on our own terms? What do we need to build? And what are we building it for?
We have the talent, the ideas and the intention. What's often missing is the space for them to come together and turn into real solutions. That's what this day is for.
Who's in the room.
Published at: 26-09-2026 20:46
Founders, engineers, product leaders, AI and data people, designers, digital media professionals, creatives, researchers, students, investors and community leaders.
Join the Gathering
Secure your place at Ummah Tech 2026 and join the people building a future worth inheriting. Get tickets:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/387499-ummah-tech-2026
Watch the Ummah Tech 2025: Building Madinah sessions to see where the mission began: ummah.techza