Oh so you’re interested to learn about my story

I hope you enjoy it and learn from my mistakes

A man with dark hair and glasses taking a selfie inside a coffee shop or cafe, with shelves of coffee supplies and a wall clock in the background.

It all started with a hadith…

We’ve all felt it the silent storm that whispers,

What does my life even mean?

This is where I found the most profound teaching of my life

Jami at-Tirmidhi 2416

حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُصَيْنُ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ أَبُو مِحْصَنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الرَّحَبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَطَاءُ بْنُ أَبِي رَبَاحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تَزُولُ قَدَمَا ابْنِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّهِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ خَمْسٍ عَنْ عُمْرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ وَعَنْ شَبَابِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلاَهُ وَمَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَ أَنْفَقَهُ وَمَاذَا عَمِلَ فِيمَا عَلِمَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ ‏.‏ وَحُسَيْنُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ يُضَعَّفُ فِي الْحَدِيثِ مِنْ قِبَلِ حِفْظِهِ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي بَرْزَةَ وَأَبِي سَعِيدٍ ‏.‏

Ibn Mas'ud narrated that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: "The feet of the son of Adam shall not move from before his Lord on the Day of Judgement, until he is asked about five things: About his life and what he did with it, about his youth and what he wore it out in, about his wealth and how he earned it, and spent it upon, and what he did with what he knew." (Da'if) [Abu 'Eisa said: ] This Hadith is Gharib, we do not know of it as a narration of Ibn Mas'üd from the Prophet except through the narration of Husain bin Qais. Husain [bin Qais] was graded weak in Hadith [due to his memory]. There are narrations on this topic from Abu Barzah and Abu Sa'eed.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2416

https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2416

This is where my life changed

Meal Donate born in 2016

Logo with a steaming bowl of soup held by a hand, and the words 'Meal Donate' beneath.

At just 16 years old, life gave me an experience that forever shaped my reality

A group of fifteen people standing outdoors on a sunny day, some wearing black t-shirts with a website address printed on them, posing for a photo in front of a building with storefronts and palm trees.

A non profit organization started by a couple of passionate folks driven to make a change, restless by societal standards

A group of diverse young men standing outdoors, engaged in a conversation, some with hands raised, in a black-and-white photograph.

Key Stats

  • Expanded operations across major areas of Karachi, reaching a population of over 20 million.

  • Launched “30 Days, 30 Drives” during Ramadan daily campaigns delivering essentials throughout the holy month.

  • Distributed over 10,000 meals in our first year; now approaching 1 million meals served to date.

  • Mobilized the nation, raising PKR 280 million to scale sustainable, high-impact initiatives.

  • Built a dedicated network of 25+ active volunteers across the city, ensuring consistent, on-ground presence and delivery.

A group of children smiling and laughing outdoors on a dirt ground, some looking directly at the camera and others in different directions.
People sorting bags of goods on the ground next to a silver car parked indoors, with motorcycles and another car nearby.
Two young men are standing outside by a building, sharing a handshake and smiling at each other. One is holding a plastic bag with items inside, and the other has his hands together in front of him. The scene is casual and appears friendly.
Two young boys standing close together, with one boy's arm around the other, in a crowded outdoor setting with other children and a banner in the background.
A group of people standing outdoors in a dusty area in front of makeshift structures and parked cars, smiling at the camera.
Group of smiling children with colorful clothing gathered outdoors in a refugee camp.

I was involved in this chapter for 4 years, until I moved to the next chapter Canada

Reboot Year 2020

VANCOUVER

The year 2020 marked a turning point a moment when the world took a sudden, collective U-turn, reshaping the course of civilization itself.

Silhouette of a person standing on a dark street at night, illuminated by distant streetlights, wearing a hoodie, shorts, and sneakers.

that’s my homeboy Faheem in case you are wondering…

I embarked on a journey to pursue the dream of the guy in the chair

Basically, I started my formal education in post secondary in Cyber Security at SFU

A young man with glasses and a beard looking out a window.

It was a surreal experience learning about technology but it was never enough.

This is where I jumped ship

This is where I jumped ship

A couple of fun travel drone videos later, my creative career blew up

Group of people in a film or photography setting, with some individuals focusing on a camera while others observe, in a dimly lit room with some purple lighting and framed artwork on the wall.

Asad Ilyas Media was established in January 2023

  • Founded and scaled a full-service media company, growing a diverse client base across industries from food and fashion to tech and non-profits while maintaining year-over-year growth and a 90% client retention rate.

  • Led the media sponsorship for BC Halal Food Fest 2024, producing dynamic multi-platform content that amplified visibility and engagement for an event attended by over 72,000 people one of the largest cultural festivals in Canada.

  • Earned BBB Accreditation in May 2024, a milestone that reflected our commitment to transparency, ethical business practices, and consistently high standards in client service.

  • Produced over 500+ pieces of audience-driven multimedia content, helping clients significantly boost brand awareness and social engagement through data-informed, emotionally resonant storytelling.

Group of four people in a forest, one man holding a drone remote control, another man observing a drone flying, and the others watching and smiling.
Top: Film crew filming outside a building with a group of people. Middle: Group of people, including children, gathered inside a room, smiling at the camera. Bottom: Young woman and man looking at papers, indoors, possibly on a film set or during a scene.
A man standing outside in a heavy snowstorm at night, dressed in winter clothes with a camera, smiling. There are trees, a fence, a stroller, and chairs visible in the background.
A circular logo with white lines and text on a black background, reading 'Certified in the of Professional Photographers of Canada' and 'ASAD Ilyas Media'.
Black and white emblem with a torch and the BBB logo, and text that reads "Accredited Business."
Logo of the Professional Photographers of Canada, featuring three interconnected circles with a maple leaf inside, alongside the organization’s name in English and French.
Close-up of the red YouTube logo with white letters.
Text reading "Fraser Valley Auto Mall" on a black background.
Logo of the City of Burnaby with a green snowflake symbol
TD Bank logo with green background and black text
Hyundai logo, an oval shape with a stylized letter 'H' inside, in dark blue.
Logo of Economics Student Society with stylized letters and an upward arrow
Logo with a smiling tooth and the words 'iSmile' in blue and light blue colors.
AXIS Consulting logo with blue and black text
Logo of Mifraah Institute with the name written in both Arabic and English, featuring decorative elements.
Stylized initials 'GM' above the text 'Dr Gabor Maté' in gold, on a black background.
Logo of Garcha Bros Meat Shop & Poultry, featuring a rooster within a red circular frame, with red and yellow text and a ribbon banner.
Illustration of the letters A, D, O, and V arranged in a square pattern, with A and D at the top, and O and V at the bottom, each in different colors.

Each of these organizations have their own unique story to tell and I’ve had the privilege to partner up with them

The image shows the words "Khabib Nurmagomedov" in bold yellow text and a stylized yellow logo on a black background.
Logo of MSA Ford with stylized blue and black text and graphics.
Logo of Digital Egg with a yellow computer cursor clicking on a target.
Graphic for Simon Fraser University Residence and Housing featuring a city skyline illustration in red and white.
Penny Appeal Canada logo with the slogan "small change. big difference" in orange and white text.
Logo for Muslims Achieving Excellence (MAX) with a geometric border, a star, and a star shooting across the letter M, and the tagline 'Muslims Achieving Excellence'.
Logo of IDRF with the text "People Helping People" and a graphic of a family under a green arch with a red maple leaf.
A logo featuring a tree growing out of an open book, with the words 'Blessed Tree' below.
NISA Homes logo with a stylized flower made of purple pentagons, orange center, and blue diamonds, with the text "NISA Homes" below.
Logo for Musl Food Bank Community Services featuring a tall skyscraper with a corn design, and the text 'MUSL food bank COMMUNITY SERVICES'.
A badge for UBC, Islamic Relief Canada, featuring a mountain range and stars against a blue background.
Logo for BC Halal Food Fest with green stylized leaves and black and pink text.
An Islamic logo featuring a mosque silhouette, Quran, and Arabic calligraphy.
Digital display showing the date March 2024 in pixelated font with a black background and white text.
Round label with a tree illustration at the center, Arabic script at the top, and the text 'ZAYTUNA COLLEGE 1430 2009' at the bottom.
Logo for Islamic Relief Canada featuring a mosque with two minarets and a globe, alongside the text 'Islamic Relief Canada' in blue and black.
MISA logo with a circular symbol above the word "MISA" on a dark blue background.
Logo with the letters 'MSAUBC' in black, with a stylized tree with multicolored leaves growing in the middle.
A shield-shaped emblem with a mosque silhouette and an open book, featuring the text "S F U M S A Est. 1977" and a banner reading "Muslim Students Association Simon Fraser University."
Black and white portrait of a man with eyeglasses, short hair, and a beard, looking to the side. Text overlay says "SHAUN KING."

But of course that wasn’t enough.

Aflak is a movement to empower people and communities starting with the language of media.

In 2024, we launched

Aflak Media

Black and white logo for Alaska Media with stylized mountain and diamond shapes.

Key Stats

  • Led international media campaigns for clients like Bayyinah and Bassem Yousef by managing strategy and execution across markets, resulting in 240% global audience growth.

  • Directed full-scale media sponsorship for Ramadan Fest 2024 (40,000+ attendees), overseeing PR, content, and livestream to deliver seamless end-to-end coverage.

  • Co-hosted Halal Expo Vancouver 2025, curating programming and live media strategy that attracted over 12,000 attendees and 100+ exhibitors.

  • Recognized by Corporate Vision Canada as the Most Innovative Social Media Production Company (Jan 2025) after pioneering creative and tech-integrated content strategies.

  • and continuing to achieve more…

Two men standing in a conference hall, one holding a camera, the other wearing headphones, with a screen in the background and a sign in front that says "MIB 4".
Three men wearing black sweatshirts with 'AFLAK MEDIA' on the sleeves are working on a video shoot, with one man sitting cross-legged on a wooden platform holding a camera stabilizer, another standing adjacent, and the third leaning on a red hand truck, all smiling and talking in an indoor setting with banners and string lights.
Group of five young adults celebrating and taking pictures at a nighttime outdoor event with large illuminated letters spelling 'RAILWAY' and string lights overhead.
Group of 12 people posing at an indoor event or expo, some smiling, some making humorous gestures, with tables and booths in the background.

This allowed me to connect with people who’ve thrived through the same phase

What does my life even mean?

A woman wearing a red hijab and glasses speaking at a podium with a microphone, with a banner in the background that has partial text "SAVE A LIFE TODAY."

Amira Elghawaby

Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia of Canada

A man with gray, curly hair and a beard speaking into a microphone on stage, raising his left hand with a few fingers extended, against a blurry background with a large screen.

Bassem Youssef

Egyptian comedian and television host

An older man with curly gray hair, holding a microphone in his right hand, wearing a dark sweater, is speaking and gesturing with his left hand during a presentation or speech. Behind him is a large screen with partially visible text.

Dr. Gabor Maté

Hungarian-Canadian physician

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed woven hat and a red cape is speaking into a microphone on a stage, with yellow curtains in the background.

Mary Point

Musqueam First Nations, Director, Indigenous Relations at YVR

Woman speaking into a microphone behind a clear podium with a printed pamphlet, gesturing with her hand, in an indoor setting.

The Hon. Niki Sharma

Deputy Premier And Attorney General Of BC

Two men are conversing outdoors in a parking lot. One man, wearing glasses and a gray striped suit, has his hand on the other man's shoulder. The other man has brown hair and a beard, dressed in a black jacket, and is smiling. Several vehicles and greenery are in the background.

Engin Altan Düzyatan

Turkish film actor

A man speaking into a microphone on an indoor basketball court.

Kal Dosanjh

Founder Kids Play Foundation, TEDx Speaker

A man with glasses and gray hair sitting in a black leather chair, holding a microphone and a notepad, with a serious expression. He is wearing a dark jacket, blue sneakers, and gray socks, with a coffee cup placed on the floor next to the chair.

Dr. Mads Gilbert

Norwegian physician

this is a point where the phenomena “passing the torch” became a reality

this is a point where the phenomena “passing the torch” became a reality

A man wearing a beige hat, sunglasses, a white shirt, and beige pants stands on stage holding a microphone, with a large black screen behind him displaying the words 'AFLAK' in both Arabic and English, and the slogan 'Your Stories - Redefined' in pink.

“Boycott? But Where & How?”
Sponsor Segment - BC Halal Food Festival 2025

Two men stand on a stage in front of a large screen at an outdoor event. One man is wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a light blue shirt, holding a phone; the other is wearing glasses and a striped shirt, speaking into a microphone. The large screen behind them shows an audience taking photos and videos with their phones.

“To the Aunt/Uncle who takes photos on their iPad, we love you…”
Keynote Session - BC Halal Food Festival 2024

A man with glasses and a beard talking into a microphone while seated, with coffee cups on the table in front of him, and a flag with green and white in the background.

“Pre-Production is the Real Director…You’re Just Following Its Lead”
Keynote Session - Halal Expo 2025

A film crew is setting up a camera on a tripod in front of a man with a beard and black shirt, standing against a black curtain. A crew member is on a ladder adjusting equipment, with other people visible nearby.
The logo of Thryo Academy, featuring a geometric icon and the text 'THRYO ACADEMY'.

I commenced teaching the art of storytelling with The Photo Academy

I would love to learn about you

Enough about me, now let’s learn about your story. Let’s chat!

Hours
Sunday – Thursday
8am – 6pm

Email
hey@asadilyas.com

Location
Metro - Vancouver BC