The Counsellor

I have lived, worked and studied in the Arab world, South and Southeast Asia before settling in Vancouver, BC in 2011. A good friend and mentor describes me as a honey bee, a nahlah that has travelled from place to place in search of sweetness and wisdom. Urdu is my first language; and I have picked up English and some Arabic and Hebrew along the way.

I am wadūd and rahīm, striving to grow in love and compassion; and a hanīf believer who dares to have a critical-appreciative relationship with tradition. I know the divine as the light of the heavens and the earth, the qāil of kun. I am a pragmatic idealist, a lifelong learner, a warm-hearted teacher and a sincere advisor. I believe human beings can make a life without harming other human beings and the planet.

Besides my training as a professional counsellor, I have studied (and taught) religion in academic and community settings for years and participated in a variety of cultures. I am uniquely positioned to assist clients (especially Arab, Kurdish, Persian, Afghan, Kashmiri and South Asian) in navigating their dilemmas and struggles. 

I work with and around customs and traditions. I help you identify tools and traps in your cultural background and religious repertoire. I am authoritative and-but democratic. I empower you to chart your own path and shape your experience with confidence and rootedness.