Arts & Life

Faith

Supplied Khalid Mahmood received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding on March 26 from Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville.

Interfaith bridge-builder Khalid Mahmood honoured

Sharon Chisvin 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

Khalid Mahmood is in good company.

In proudly accepting the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding on March 26 from Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville, he joined an elite group of Manitobans who received the award in the past.

Like all those past recipients — among them Free Press faith writer John Longhurst, radio host and newspaper columnist Rev. Karen Toole, synagogue lay leader Bill Weissmann, former Winnipeg Police Service chief Devon Clunis and Ojibway Métis elder Mae Louise Campbell — Mahmood was recognized for his commitment to encouraging and promoting harmony, bridge building and interfaith dialogue between diverse religious communities in the province.

When Mahmood immigrated to Canada in 1974, he became one of the first Pakistanis and one of the first Ahmadiyya Muslims to choose Winnipeg as home. His activism on the part of Ahmadiyya Muslims, who, he explains, are discriminated against in Pakistan, and his interest in interfaith initiatives began soon after he was settled. Building relationships between different groups and service to humanity are, he explains, essential elements of the Ahmadiyya Muslim faith.

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Faith

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Sebastian Sanders says he was ostracized by friends and family after coming out as queer.

Winkler hosts first LGBTTQ+ celebration Saturday

Josiah Neufeld 6 minute read Preview

Winkler hosts first LGBTTQ+ celebration Saturday

Josiah Neufeld 6 minute read 1:49 PM CDT

Sebastian Sanders is both excited and nervous about returning to Winkler to tell his story at his hometown’s first Pride event.

To get through his anxiety, he imagines a younger version of himself in the audience. “I’m just imagining that kid being like: ‘Oh, I can be happy and healthy and be myself and find community and be OK,’” he says.

Growing up attending church in Winkler, Sanders internalized a lot of homophobia and transphobia. “I was indoctrinated to believe I was a giant abomination,” he says. At times he thought about taking his own life.

Sanders was diagnosed with cancer when he was 19. The experience forced him to ask himself hard questions. When he finished chemotherapy, he told his family and friends he was queer. “I was ostracized by most of the people around me,” he says.

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1:49 PM CDT

Music

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Jazz Fest artistic director Zachary Rushing is excited for this year’s jazz festival, which features acts from around the globe.

Neo-soul, the legacy of Miles Davis and more to attract hepcats to this year’s jazz fest

Conrad Sweatman 6 minute read Preview

Neo-soul, the legacy of Miles Davis and more to attract hepcats to this year’s jazz fest

Conrad Sweatman 6 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

After some thunderous storms, the forecast looks strong: a near week of the best jazz that Canadian stages have to offer June 16-21. May we walk in the sunlight once more, to paraphrase the jazz classic Stormy Weather.

The Winnipeg International Jazz Festival’s centre of gravity is the Exchange District. There, venues and thoroughfares flood with people and musicians like a New Orleans street parade, announcing that downtown Winnipeg is wide awake for the summer. And the party’s nucleus is its mainstage in Old Market Square, with dozens of free concerts every day.

“There’s phenomenal dance and groove music on the Old Market Square lineup, and there are acts coming from around the globe to share their talents,” says Jazz Winnipeg’s artistic director Zachary Rushing.

A few out-of-town mainstage highlights include Ontario five-piecer Shebad, sounding like a cross somewhere between Amy Winehouse and Daft Punk; Juno-nominated Montreal-based drummer and composer Salin, fusing the sounds of Northern Thailand with 1970s West African psychedelia; and pioneering Hungarian fusion artists Djabe.

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2:00 AM CDT

Miss Lonelyhearts

You already know how this old story ends

Maureen Scurfield 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I recently received a letter with a note on the outside that said to open it when I was alone — so I played along. I knew it was from my ex-girlfriend because she loves mind games.

Inside was a selfie she took from above — featuring her two best assets — while lying on a bed. She won — I was turned on again. She looked sexy and beautiful like she did when we first got together.

During our relationship, all that changed when she got bored with “us” and started stuffing her body with junk food and wearing baggy clothes.

As she got chubbier and unhappier, she took out her anger on me by depriving me of sex.

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Jack Plunkett / Invision Files The Kids in the Hall star Scott Thompson turns 67 today.

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Tread carefully because you’re eager to get out and talk to others. In fact, short trips and an opportunity to teach and share your ideas will please you. Nevertheless, you might be touchy about money matters or something you own. Practise patience.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

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