I’m a native New Yorker who somehow ended up at a Jesuit private school on the Upper East Side despite being of Pakistani/Muslim and European/Jewish descent. I attended undergrad at Columbia University, where I majored in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African studies and followed the pre-medical track.

To date, I have DPed/directed several music videos, cowrote and codirected a narrative short, and DPed a narrative short that is slated for release sometime this year. Much–if not all–of my writing tackles the complexities of growing up Muslim in a post-9/11 America.

Many are shocked to discover that I’m not only covered in tattoos but also–GASP–queer and own not one, but two dogs. It never ceases to amaze me how narrow the scope of what folks think Islam and being a Muslim allows, and I am always seeking to break down those stereotypes, not only through my work but also through my very existence.

I also gravitate towards using satire and humor to cope with the peaks and valleys of life; how else is one to navigate this cruel world? I also very much believe that humor is a great way to demystify often intimidating topics and help generate essential conversations and connections.

My debut experimental short, “Zero”, won an Award of Merit at Best Shorts Competition, and was accepted into Flickfair and MicroMania, as well. 

I debuted my first narrative short film, “Saint Marks”, at Queer Voices: New York City last September. It had its online debut at the NYWIFT x iWoman TV online film festival, where it won an audience choice award.