Past TEDx event
TEDxYouth@AISR
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.
Adelaide Patch
Speaker
Adelaide has grown up all over the world, finding love in traveling with her family. She finds passion in creativity, and can always be found making something new with her hands. She also enjoys reading, baking, and most of all, spending time with the people she loves.
Celia Tighe
Speaker
Originally from Ipswich, Suffolk, England, Celia Tighe is in her third year in Riyadh with her sister, Evelyn, and parents. She is in 6th grade, and her favourite subjects are Humanities and Science. She is a ‘doer’ whether that is building her Lego, crafting new earrings, baking or crocheting. Celia has recently taken up kick boxing too. After discovering that AI will never be better than a human she has wanted to share that idea to others in the community. She also enjoys snuggling with her cat Harry.
Celine Elhag
Speaker
Celine is a Sudanese girl born in Saudi Arabia and raised in a lively home with four sisters. Curious and determined, she loves exploring the patterns of the world through math and is fascinated by the mysteries of physics. Her upbringing has shaped her resilience, creativity and strong sense of identity.
Darsh Misra
Speaker
Born and raised in Dubai, UAE, but is from India. Moved to Riyadh in August of 2023. Recently he has been enrolling in many opportunities and courses to expand his skills beyond the classroom.
Eshal Basathia
Speaker
Eshal is a motivated student who loves exploring ideas, telling stories, and understanding the world around her. She is an active member of Model United Nations, where she has developed her voice in diplomacy and global issues. She also leads a writing club and enjoys creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and creativity. She hopes to become a lawyer in the future or follow a career that allows her to help people in meaningful ways.
Harriette Judge
Speaker
Harriette was born in Philadelphia and has lived in England, Virginia, Saudi Arabia, and now New York, experiences that sparked her interest in global cultures and languages. She’s currently learning Arabic and Spanish. She has a younger brother and two cats adopted in Saudi. Curious and driven, Harriette loves exploring how the brain works, which inspired the idea behind her talk. Outside the classroom, she pushes herself physically through kickboxing, jujitsu, and hip hop dance.
Houda Alaeddine
Speaker
Raised in Saudi Arabia her entire life, and having been in multiple international schools, Houda has been introduced to many different cultures, which has stimulated her passion for international law. As of right now, she is a grade 12 student at AISR, and her curiosity is mostly what has prepared her for the second chapter of her life. Her curious nature has allowed her to take part in engaging experiences, such as participating in different kinds of sports, like swimming and tennis, discovering hobbies such as playing the piano, as well as developing her ambition to become an international lawyer through her IB global politics course. Additionally, her deep connection to her Lebanese heritage has given her insight into the field of politics, where she tries to understand how to seek justice within unjust systems.
Ibrahim Nazer
Speaker
Born in New Zealand and raised in the US for 14 years, and originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Nazer is a rising graduating senior at AIS-R. He is the eldest of six siblings, with three younger sisters and two younger brothers. He enjoys spending time with his family and reading stories for his younger siblings. Whether in the classroom or on stage, he focuses on bettering himself and making meaningful contributions to others.
Mary Anne Juha
Speaker
A proud Palestinian and Colombian born in Toronto, Canada. She is a triplet, and loves to ride horses in her free time and loves travelling. She is always devoted and loves spreading kindness. She is also incredibly grateful to be part of TEDx.
Maya Mufti
Speaker
A proud mix of Saudi and Korean heritage who was born in the USA and raised in Saudi Arabia. As a dedicated Muslim, she believes that gratitude is essential in life. She has an obsession with horse riding and anything to do with horses. She loves to dance, perform and play the violin. Although she is passionate about the arts she also loves the challenge of math and science. She is incredibly grateful to be a part of TEDx this year.
Muhammad “Umar” Qureshi
Speaker
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, and a proud muslim, Umar blends his curiosity about business, psychology, and culture into a thoughtful storytelling style. Beyond the stage, he enjoys discussing cars, technology, debating with people, and football fields, which, to him, all reflect creativity and strategy. Innovation and potential drive his mission to inspire others to think differently, act boldly, and redefine what true wealth means in the future.
Muhammad Taimoor Murtaza
Speaker
Muhammad was born in Dubai, is from Pakistan, and lives in Riyadh. A Grade 9 student with diverse interests, he enjoys kickboxing, table tennis, padel, basketball, and golf. He leads his school’s Table Tennis Club and is an active MUN delegate, earning Best Delegate and Top Delegate awards. Curious about how technology shapes our world, Muhammad also enjoys sci-fi movies, exploring new tech, and creating music with his friends.
Nadin Sowwan
Speaker
Born to Palestinian parents and raised between the cold winters of Ottawa and the warm summers of Riyadh, Nadin Sowwan has always lived in the in-between, between languages, expectations, and the quiet negotiations of identity. A science educator whose curiosity extends beyond the classroom into questions of integrity and human behavior, she explores how silence and conditioning shape the voice within us.
Nana Jackson
Speaker
Nana Jackson is an American-born aspiring filmmaker raised internationally, passionate about using storytelling to spark innovation. Through his work, he aims to inspire his generation to pursue their purpose and creativity.
Nickolas Hironao Harris
Speaker
Nick grew up attending the American School in Japan (ASIJ) in Tokyo and has since worked at four international schools, including AISR. He is passionate about the role schools play in shaping identity and connection, especially in global, multicultural contexts.
Osyma Nazer
Speaker
Osyma was originally someone who followed the actions of others, which then altered the actions which she wanted to take. Osyma now primarily focuses on doing things on her own terms, and believes others should do the same, and leave the box they might not even recognize that they're in.
Rafay Khakwani
Speaker
Rafay is ten years old born and raised in Riyadh with roots in Pakistan, He is passionate about football and almost always on the field. When not playing, he enjoys tackling tricky math problems, gaming with friends, and eating sushi. As an Eagle Ambassador, he loves helping others and inspiring his peers.
Ryan Charani
Speaker
RAYAN is an Alternative/Pop artist, focused on emphasizing the feelings of being human. The music blends elements of soul, rock, electronic, and film scoring into a genre-fluid sound, meant to be open to many audiences in order to communicate the idea of “we are the one”, to create inclusivity for all. Drawing influences from Coldplay and Ludwig Göransson, the work explores the idea of being human. This is not a story about me, but a story about us, a story that continuously asks, who are we? Why do we do what we do? Why make our world so evil? How can we be better? What have we become? How can we be better? We are all on this space ship together drifting through the vastness of space, we should be one, otherwise we are none. I also do this because of my love for music and my love for the world. I want to spread it through music.
Sami Taimoor Murtaza
Speaker
Sami is a proud Pakistani who was born in Dubai and lives in Riyadh. He is a passionate football fan, avid debater, and an active member of Model United Nations, where he is developing his dream of becoming a lawyer who advocates for others. He was deeply close to his grandmother, who taught him the power of small acts of kindness. When she became ill, their time together, sharing meals, playing Ludo, and laughing, showed him how simple gestures create deep connection. Inspired by her compassion and a playful rhyming game she invented to help him embrace his name, Sami invites audiences to build belonging, one correctly pronounced name at a time.
Taher Nouiri
Speaker
Taher Nouiri is one of Tunisia’s early parkour pioneers, with 17 years of training and 7 years of coaching experience. Today, as Head of Ofoq Academy in Saudi Arabia, he uses movement to empower young people - helping them build confidence, discipline, and a mindset that overcomes obstacles both on and off the field.
Taimur Naeem
Speaker
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Taimur has spent nearly all of his childhood in the Middle East, and is approaching 10 years in Riyadh. An inquisitive, outgoing, and determined person, Taimur values spending time with his family and friends, investing in his education, and aims to study law in the future. His biggest passion by far is the sport of football, and playing a big role in his own life, Taimur explores how he can channel his love for the beautiful game towards helping others simply by learning the power of showing up.
Yara Jegham
Speaker
A Tunisian-American born in Washington, D.C., she is an avid reader who enjoys swimming, singing, playing piano, and musical theatre. Her interests span many fields, from aspiring to become a doctor or lawyer, to a musical theatre actress, and even a future politician. She loves learning new things and exploring all the possibilities ahead of her.
Yazan Hashem
Speaker
Yazan, born in Saudi Arabia, from Egypt, who finds joy within the arts such as playing the piano and public speaking, with experiences in MUN, speeches, and theatre.
