What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

My greatest interests lie in public speaking, where I aim to bring clarity and awareness to the idea that knowledge itself needs healing. Alongside that, I deeply enjoy listening to audiobooks, writing, practicing yoga. These passions help me stay connected to my inner voice, while also fueling my drive to inspire and empower others.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

• Cultural textile arts
• Drama class
• Asian cuisine
• Robotics

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

From a young age, I participated in school sports such as volleyball, basketball, and football. While these were not formal training, they were key parts of my school life. In addition, I’ve practiced yoga for balance and mindfulness, and I also trained in martial arts, which built my discipline and focus.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

My tutor Ajmal Nikzad: When we moved from Afghanistan during the war, we arrived in a new country where immigrants didn’t have access to the national education system. The private school was full, so I worked with a tutor. When I arrived, I faced learning struggles far beyond the ordinary. I was lost, unsure of how I learned best, and others couldn’t see it. My tutor saw something different. He devoted six extra months, crafting a path for me to uncover my own learning style. And alongside that, he gave me rare safety guidance self-defense techniques for a girl adjusting to a new environment. He didn’t just teach me English; he gave me tools to survive and thrive when the world was uncertain. His vision was that if he had a chance, he could make the world a better place. I still try to find him; I still look to thank him personally. And in every circle, family gatherings, school, community events, I pass on his wisdom, ensuring his kindness still helps others in their hardest moments.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest personal accomplishment has been developing my thinking and communication skills, especially learning how to translate visual ideas into words. As someone with a strong visual and “photographic” way of thinking, I worked on improving my ability to describe images clearly and express what I see in structured language.

This process helped me strengthen my creativity, focus, and communication skills. It also taught me how to slow down my thinking, observe more carefully, and turn visual information into meaningful expression. I am proud of this growth because it has helped me become a more thoughtful and expressive person.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most unique things about me is my compassion and deep curiosity about mental health and its effects on sleep disruption. From a young age, I became passionate about understanding how mental health affects people’s well-being and decided to pursue my own personal research.

At the time, I could not afford many of the books I needed, and the city library was transitioning its records into an electronic system, making some materials difficult to access. Instead of giving up, I spent three full days from morning until evening helping enter thousands of book records into the electronic system. In return, I was given extended access to the books I needed for my research.

What makes this experience meaningful to me is that it reflects who I am: compassionate, curious, determined, and willing to work hard for knowledge. It taught me early in life that when resources are limited, persistence and creativity can open doors.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

I have written over 7 books and numerous articles, but due to safety reasons, I wasn’t able to publish them before coming to Canada. My ambition is to see them published and reach readers. Right now, I’m actively connecting with literary agents and pursuing partnerships with publishers. I’m committed to bringing these works to life because, for me, writing is a profound way to connect, to inspire, and to leave a legacy beyond just one career. Looking ahead, I envision myself speaking on international stages, addressing the challenges of mental health and its impact on sleep. To reach this goal, in the upcoming two years, I have secured spaces at major related conferences to introduce the A.I.R. Atifa Institute of Research and Philosophy for Rare Sleep Disorders, bringing this vital work to a global audience.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

My dream is to become a dedicated mental health advocate, fostering open dialogue and support for those facing challenges. Drawing on my personal journey and professional work, I aim to create a safe space for people to connect, reflect, and heal. I believe that knowledge itself needs healing, and that belief guides my advocacy. Through my platform and the work of the Atifa Institute of Research and Philosophy for Rare Sleep Disorders, I will raise awareness, advocate for change, and empower others to prioritize mental well-being.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

My childhood began in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan Province, a city known for its industrious spirit. My father was one of the country’s leading mathematics educators, and my mother was a schoolteacher who taught physics and other science subjects. After my early education, we moved to my father’s ancestral village, a place surrounded by breathtaking greenery and the majestic Hindu Kush mountains. The soothing sound of the river, the gentle waves of the water, and the distant waterfall gave my early childhood a dreamy calm.

I learned both agriculture and traditional medicine, and I am grateful for the wisdom passed down in my family. Our home was full of warmth, and our daily routine included reading the Quran with translation, as well as the poems of Omar Khayyam, Hafiz Shirazi, and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi (Rumi). These practices gave us a broad vision of humanity. I am especially grateful for my grandmother, who taught me the art of weaving baskets, the importance of cruelty-free cosmetics, first aid techniques, and survival skills, along with the values of ethical living.

Later, when we moved to another country, I carried the sound of that waterfall in my mental luggage, offering me calm through the hardest times. Even as we faced barriers to education, private tutors gave me access to knowledge, and it was then that I discovered mental health. A topic that sparked my lifelong art of living.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

In my early youth, I sold The New York Times newspapers and decorated outdoor yards for weddings for a short period of time to support my personal research on mental health and its effects on sleep. These experiences taught me discipline, perseverance, communication, creativity, teamwork, and attention to detail.

List any volunteering you have done.

During my formative years, before coming to Canada, I volunteered by providing life coaching to over 3,000 individuals from diverse communities. My leadership skills and ability to identify and solve problems have supported many, across a broad range of backgrounds, as they navigated their challenges.

I volunteered at the PDAC Mining Convention, the largest international mining event in Canada, where I contributed to the event’s success and networked with global industry professionals.

During my time at School (SCAS), I created an eco-market, and the school raised funds by selling second-hand clothing to support Afghan newcomer workshops and injured veterans.

I dedicated over 20 volunteer hours with Hijabi Ballers, an organization that creates an inclusive sports environment in the GTA, empowering Muslim girls and women to confidently express their unique identities.

What is your most unusual talent?

One of my most unusual talents is baking traditional bread in a tandoor oven, a skill passed down in my family that connects me to my heritage.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

While the villages of Afghanistan will always remain in my heart, as I traveled to over 15 countries during my research on community mental health, it was Cambridge, Massachusetts, at Harvard University, that truly captured me. The blend of history, innovation, and intellectual energy there inspired me deeply, shaping my vision of what learning could be.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

Academically, over the next ten years, my goal is to build a path that bridges science, research, advocacy, and creative expression. My priority is to complete my engineering degree alongside a degree in Community Mental Health, followed by graduate studies at the master’s and PhD levels.

Professionally, I aim to continue developing the A.I.R. Atifa Institute of Research and Philosophy for Rare Sleep Disorders. The institute is dedicated to research on mental health and its impact on sleep. It also creates opportunities for knowledge-sharing, support, and meaningful dialogue for those affected by rare sleep disorders. Also, I would like to publish the books that I was unable to publish earlier in life, so their stories can reach others and offer insight where it was once hidden.

In addition, I want to bring my fashion design, a series of coats, to life; each coat is coded in every seam, and each piece is a garment that stands for its own story of mental health. Each garment transcends fabric, offering a space where people can feel the weight of human experience, quietly connecting us all. And in this way, each coat invites us to touch one another with compassion, a quiet bond that gently carries us toward understanding.

Ultimately, my goal is to unite these disciplines because I believe that knowledge itself needs healing, and that through greater understanding, reflection, and dialogue, meaningful change becomes possible.

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

I love nature, and I enjoy singing folk music, which is something that connects me to tradition and creativity.