Faith

New leader of Canadian Council of Imams seeks to help build Canadian Muslim identity

John Longhurst 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Islamophobia, negative media portrayals and how to develop a Canadian identity. Those are some of the issues facing Muslims in Canada as they mark Islamic Heritage Month.

October was designated Islamic Heritage Month in 2007 by the federal government as a way to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Muslims to Canadian society. It is also a chance for Muslims and other Canadians to reflect on the challenges facing that community.

One person who is helping Canadian Muslims in dealing with those challenges is Imam Sikander Hashmi, the new executive director of the Canadian Council of Imams.

Hashmi, 43, started his new role in January at the council, an independent organization founded in 1990, to help Imams and Islamic religious leaders from across Canada engage governments, the media and Canadian society in general on behalf of Canadian Muslims.

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New labyrinth offers path to calm, prayer, reflection

John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

New labyrinth offers path to calm, prayer, reflection

John Longhurst 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

RESIDENTS of La Salle who want a place to pray and contemplate, can head to a new labyrinth.

A circular path has been installed on the property of Community Fellowship Church, which is part of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, in the town south of Winnipeg.

“Unlike a maze that is built to challenge people to find their way through it, a labyrinth has a single path to the centre and back,” said church member Randall Holm, the brainchild behind the labyrinth.

With its twists and turns, a maze represents the challenges and experiences people encounter in life, he explained, while a labyrinth enables people to walk an easy-to-follow path.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Randall Holm photo

The La Salle labyrinth adds to a rich local tradition, joining contemplative paths at Fort Garry United, St. Peter’s Anglican, HSC and King’s Park.

Randall Holm photo
                                The La Salle labyrinth adds to a rich local tradition, joining contemplative paths at Fort Garry United, St. Peter’s Anglican, HSC and King’s Park.

Concerts aim to raise funds for suffering Ukrainians

John Longhurst 3 minute read Preview

Concerts aim to raise funds for suffering Ukrainians

John Longhurst 3 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025

Those who want to help those suffering from war can do so this weekend at the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine fundraising concerts.

The two free concerts, which will feature the Mennonite Faith and Life Male Choir and the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, will take place at First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg on Saturday, 7 p.m. and at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach on Sunday at 3 p.m. Donations for the Mennonite Centre’s work in Ukraine will be accepted.

The concerts will also feature reflections by Olga Rubel, a Ukrainian who manages the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine’s humanitarian work.

“We are grateful for the support,” she said during her visit to Canada. “It lets people in Ukraine know they aren’t alone.”

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Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025

MATT DUBOFF PHOTO

The Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus performs at the Centennial Concert Hall in 2019.

MATT DUBOFF PHOTO
                                The Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus performs at the Centennial Concert Hall in 2019.

Women’s volunteer organization celebrates centennial

Sharon Chisvin 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

One hundred years have passed since 75 women from the local Jewish community gathered at the Royal Alexandra Hotel on Higgins Avenue and Main Street to formally establish the Winnipeg section of the North American volunteer service organization, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).

This fall, 150 women from that same community are celebrating the founding, longevity and achievements of that grassroots Winnipeg organization. That milestone celebration is being marked by the establishment of an endowment fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and a Nov. 4 Government House reception hosted by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville. While the endowment fund will ensure continual financial support for the many community services, social programs and non-profits that the group has championed for decades, the reception will acknowledge the positive impact that the group has had in Winnipeg, as well as pay tribute to the women who founded the group and the women who have kept the group going for an entire century.

Sharon Allentuck is one of those women. She has been a volunteer with NCJW for 50 years.

Allentuck first joined NCJW-Winnipeg Section in the late 1970s at the urging of her sister and has since served in various executive positions, including as president of the local group and as president of NCJW Canada. She currently sits on the executive of the International Council of Jewish Women.

Faith leaders must acknowledge spiritual trauma is real, author says

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

When Hillary McBride was growing up in a Baptist church in Alberta, her parents stood up for a member of the congregation who had been abused by a much-adored pastor.

When confronted in private, the pastor acknowledged the abuse. Later, in public, he denied it. When her parents continued to believe in and support the victim, they were ostracized by other members of the church.

Eventually, the church split over the issue, with many leaving to attend a new church started by that pastor.

“We lost our faith community over it,” McBride says, recalling that time. “The amount of vitriol directed at my parents cost them so much.”

‘Quiet revival’ for Gen Z

John Longhurst 5 minute read Preview

‘Quiet revival’ for Gen Z

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Are younger people returning to church? That’s what’s being reported about Gen Zers — people born between 1997 and 2012 — in places in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

In a story in Canadian Catholic Media, the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Catholic Youth reports seeing a broad surge in youth engagement across the archdiocese, as evidenced by the growth in the number of parishes offering youth programs — from 10-12 parishes in 2013 to 115 today.

“It’s been incredible, and we are literally more than halfway there to covering the entire archdiocese,” said John MacMullen, associate director of youth ministry for the archdiocese. “There is just a real healthy growth across the spectrum.”

St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Toronto also reports a resurgence in the number of Gen Z youth coming to services.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

ROSS D. FRANKLIN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

People participate in a service during a summer camp for youth at Valley Baptist Church in Mesa, Ariz., in 2024.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
                                People participate in a service during a summer camp for youth at Valley Baptist Church in Mesa, Ariz., in 2024.

Muslim-Jewish dialogue group encourages empathy

Sharon Chisvin 6 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Three days after Oct. 7, 2023, Ari Zaretsky received an email message that brought him to tears. The message expressed deep condolences for the massacre of Israeli civilians at the hands of Hamas, and a recognition of the pain and grief that Zaretsky and his family must be enduring.

The email was sent from Wesam Abuzaiter, who, like Zaretsky, worked at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Abuzaiter, a pharmacist, is a Canadian-Palestinian Muslim originally from Gaza. Zaretsky, a psychiatrist, is a Canadian Jew and Zionist.

Together, they are the founders of the Sunnybrook dialogue group.

Abuzaiter and Zaretsky had crossed paths in the hospital a few years before —when he invited her to share her personal journey as an international graduate during an educational session with her colleagues. During that presentation, Zaretsky also shared that he was a child of Holocaust survivors.

Institute launched to train Manitoba organizations to identify, combat antisemitism

John Longhurst 3 minute read Preview

Institute launched to train Manitoba organizations to identify, combat antisemitism

John Longhurst 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Against a backdrop of rising antisemitism in Canada, the Asper Foundation and the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada have created the Manitoba Institute to Combat Antisemitism.

The institute, which was launched Oct. 3, has been made possible by financial support from the foundation. It is led by Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre, who has been involved in antisemitism training and education for six years.

“We have seen a dramatic rise in antisemitism in Canada and around the world over the past few years, and especially since Oct. 7, 2023,” Jarniewski said, referring to the Hamas attacks on Israel. “It’s more pervasive and aggressive than ever before.”

The Jewish community was the most targeted group for hate crimes in the country last year, Statistics Canada data show. Almost 19 per cent, or 920 of the nearly 4,900 reported hate crimes, were committed against members of that group.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Mike Deal / Free Press files

Belle Jarniewski of the Jewish Heritage Centre will lead the newly launched Manitoba Institute to Combat Antisemitism.

Mike Deal / Free Press files
                                Belle Jarniewski of the Jewish Heritage Centre will lead the newly launched Manitoba Institute to Combat Antisemitism.

‘Sign of our welcome’: mural transforms plain-looking church into inviting space

John Longhurst 3 minute read Preview

‘Sign of our welcome’: mural transforms plain-looking church into inviting space

John Longhurst 3 minute read Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

Members of a St. James church hope a new mural will make their building feel warmer and welcoming to neighbours.

“It’s a lovely building, but the entrance looked industrial,” said Prairie Spirit United Church pastor, Scott Macauley. “We wanted to create a warm entryway that signaled welcome to all.”

The church, which was built in 1994 after a fire destroyed the original structure in 1992, is located on Thompson Drive, a block from Portage Avenue. It has about 80 to 100 people in attendance on Sundays.

The mural, by local artist Mae Desmond, was dedicated Sunday morning. It was commissioned to mark the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.

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Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS

Scott Macauley, pastor of Prairie Spirit United Church, leads the mural unveiling service.

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS
                                Scott Macauley, pastor of Prairie Spirit United Church, leads the mural unveiling service.

Seven Mountains Mandate worth paying attention to

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

When I was growing up in an evangelical church, many years ago, I was taught the “world” was to be feared and avoided.

This included things like dancing, drinking, smoking, movie-going and playing pool. Certain kinds of books were off-limits as well, as was union membership and joining a political party.

The rationale behind some of those things was a fear of being “unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” as the Apostle Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Voting was OK, but running for public office was likewise firmly discouraged. Politics in general was seen as a distraction from the real goal of sharing the Gospel.

Murtis a sacred part of Hinduism

Romona Goomansingh 5 minute read Preview

Murtis a sacred part of Hinduism

Romona Goomansingh 5 minute read Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

Upon entering a local Hindu prayer hall, you will notice radiant murtis mounted on the altars in the temple. In Sanskrit, the word murti means having a definite form and refers to the sacred representation of a Hindu deity. At the Hindu Society of Manitoba (HSM) temples in Winnipeg, the large-sized, marble murtis have been made in and imported from India.

The way Hindus worship, in connection to murtis, often has been misjudged and inappropriately described as idol worship. Murtis are not statues, objects or images being worshipped. The divine energy understood to manifest through murtis serves as the focal point of worship in the Hindu faith. Simply put, murtis symbolize the embodiment of the divine.

Why are murtis in Hindu temples dressed? You will notice they are draped in beautiful, pristine clothing, accompanied with adornments. When murtis are carved, they are created with clothing ornately painted on them. Serving as a form of worship, dressing murtis are additional adornments.

Pandit Venkat Machiraju, one of the HSM’s priests, says dressing murtis, along with first bathing them, are rituals performed to cultivate a closer connection to God.

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Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

The Goddess Durga murti at the St. Anne’s Road temple. The marble murtis at the Hindu Society of Manitoba temples in Winnipeg are made of marble and imported from India.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
                                The Goddess Durga murti at the St. Anne’s Road temple. The marble murtis at the Hindu Society of Manitoba temples in Winnipeg are made of marble and imported from India.

Local faith groups express optimism after Canada’s formal recognition of Palestine

John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

Local faith groups express optimism after Canada’s formal recognition of Palestine

John Longhurst 4 minute read Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

Local faith groups are responding to Canada’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine.

Prime Minister Carney made the announcement Sunday, saying the goal was to be a partner “in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel” through a two-state solution.

“This in no way legitimizes terrorism, nor is it any reward for it,” the Carney said, adding it doesn’t compromise “Canada’s steadfast support for the State of Israel, its people and their security.”

Larry Kochendorfer is bishop-elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, which is headquartered in Winnipeg. He called it “an important step towards justice, compassion and leadership that affirms every human being’s right to live equally, freely and peacefully. “

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Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Prime Minister Mark Carney sits beside Anita Anand, minister of foreign affairs, as they take part in a high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sept. 22.

SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
                                Prime Minister Mark Carney sits beside Anita Anand, minister of foreign affairs, as they take part in a high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sept. 22.

Mixing food with evangelism a complicated issue

John Longhurst 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

“I wanted to quickly share a very inspiring story with you that happened last Saturday in Winnipeg in the Main/Higgins area,” the sender of an email I received in July excitedly said.

“About 20 or so young Christian adults got together at noon to spread the Love of Jesus to the homeless in the area.”

The sender went on to say that the group, from Winkler, had raised money to buy food, water and Bibles to give out to homeless people in that area. “They went out on foot and met face to face with the homeless residents in this area. They showed courage and love in spreading The Word. Four people were saved.”

The email pointed me to an Instagram site that featured additional photos and videos of that group, and others, including visiting encampments in Winnipeg to hand out food and water and doing evangelism.

Mother keeps daughter’s memory alive

Sharon Chisvin 4 minute read Preview

Mother keeps daughter’s memory alive

Sharon Chisvin 4 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

As the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel approaches, survivors, former hostages, and family members of those who were kidnapped and those who were murdered continue to speak publicly about the horrors of that day and the irrevocable way in which that day changed their lives. Addressing diplomats, dignitaries, government officials, and synagogue congregations worldwide, they speak candidly about their losses, grief and fear, and sometimes their disparate views about how a lingering, lethal and seemingly irreconcilable conflict can be resolved.

Jacqui Vital is one of those speakers.

A dual Canadian-Israeli citizen, she recently completed a Western Canada speaking tour, which included a stop in Winnipeg. That talk was sponsored by Congregation Shaarey Zedek in partnership with other local agencies, including the Christian organization Bridges of Peace Canada.

Vital’s reason for speaking publicly is simple and straightforward. She does not want her daughter, Adi Vital-Kaploun, to be forgotten. Adi was one of eight Canadian-Israelis murdered on Oct. 7.

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Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files

The flags of Ontario, Canada and Israel fly at half mast as Jewish Federation of Ottawa CEO Andrea Freedman reads a statement from the family of Adi Vital-Kaploun Oct. 11, 2023, in Ottawa.

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files
                                The flags of Ontario, Canada and Israel fly at half mast as Jewish Federation of Ottawa CEO Andrea Freedman reads a statement from the family of Adi Vital-Kaploun Oct. 11, 2023, in Ottawa.

Jews and Christians from various denominations, including some from the Indigenous and Filipino communities, met Monday in Winnipeg in an effort to promote an open dialogue between the two religions.

The meeting’s goal was to discuss how Christians and Jews can take their theologies more seriously in order to establish better relations.

Jewish historian Norman Tobias and Orthodox Christian priest Geoffrey Ready, who helped found the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Canada in 2024, spoke at the gathering. They are holding cross-country meetings to create a national movement to promote dialogue between Christians and Jews.

Ready, who is director of Orthodox Christian Studies at the University of Toronto, praised the work already being done in Winnipeg, saying he hoped it would translate to the rest of Canada to “combat the Christian theological roots of antisemitism.”

Plaque unveiled to honour Western Canada’s chief rabbi

John Longhurst 3 minute read Preview

Plaque unveiled to honour Western Canada’s chief rabbi

John Longhurst 3 minute read Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

A plaque honouring Israel Isaac Kahanovitch, a Winnipegger who served as chief rabbi for Western Canada, was unveiled Sunday at the Asper Jewish Community Campus.

The plaque, which was provided by Parks Canada, names Kahanovitch as a National Historic Person for his role uniting the Jewish community in Manitoba and across the Prairies from 1906-1945, when he died, and for his work within the Zionist movement and his role in the founding of the Canadian Jewish Congress.

Kahanovitch was also lauded for his authoritative guidance on questions of Jewish law, dietary rules and religious rituals.

Kahanovitch, who was born in Poland in 1872, left that country for the U.S. in 1905 and immigrated to Canada a year later. He arrived in the booming city of Winnipeg, its population growing from 42,000 to 179,000 between 1900 and 1921.

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Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS

Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada program and events committee chairman Daniel Stone (from left), centre president Harlan Abells, Asper Jewish Community Campus board president Jill Winograd, centre executive director Belle Jarniewski and centre staff member Stan Carbonne after a plaque honouring Rabbi Israel Isaac Kahanovitch was unveiled Sunday.

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS
                                Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada program and events committee chairman Daniel Stone (from left), centre president Harlan Abells, Asper Jewish Community Campus board president Jill Winograd, centre executive director Belle Jarniewski and centre staff member Stan Carbonne after a plaque honouring Rabbi Israel Isaac Kahanovitch was unveiled Sunday.

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