Young Muslims from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg over the weekend for a unique conference aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities facing their generation.
Sponsored by the Islamic Social Services Association of Winnipeg, the event marked the first of its kind in the country, bringing together about 60 young adults for three days of dialogue, reflection, and learning, Winnipeg Free Press reported.
“That is a very serious issue for Muslim youth now,” said Lila Mansour, a 26-year-old articling student from Toronto, speaking on the importance of mental health discussions.
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She emphasised how the pressures of identity and belonging weigh heavily on Muslim youth navigating life in Canada.
Participants explored a wide range of topics—from mental health and trauma to civil rights, gender diversity, and Islamophobia.
There were also deeply personal reflections on how political issues abroad, like the war in Gaza, affect young Muslims here at home.
“It’s a great way to connect with others from across Canada and learn from them and share ideas,” said Winnipeg’s Ayesha Sultan, 23, highlighting the sense of community the event created.
“There is so much we can learn from each other.”
Conference moderator Jamie Carnegie, a board member of the Islamic Social Services Association, noted the importance of helping young Muslims critically evaluate the media and seek out trustworthy sources.
“Muslim youth, like other youth, have many sources of information today,” Carnegie said. “Our goal was to help them find trusted sources and to understand what is being reported.”
One such issue was how media portrays Muslim women, particularly hijab-wearing athletes.
“Gendered Islamophobia is another layer for Muslim youth to have to navigate,” Carnegie added.
Gaza War
For many, the discussions surrounding Gaza were especially pressing.
Aasif Bulbulia, 28, from Regina’s Darul Falah Islamic Centre, appreciated the space to talk openly about Palestine and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
“How do we address that?” he asked.
“How can we equip each other to resist what is happening when children are starving and being killed?”
Bulbulia expressed a desire to build interfaith and ethical alliances to confront injustice.
“We should all be standing with marginalised and suffering people,” he said.
For Lila Mansour, the conversations were both validating and challenging. As a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, she said, “That immediately marks you as different. For some people, there is bias.”
Speaking up for Palestine, she added, can sometimes make others uncomfortable. “My very presence is political for them… I am careful about what I say about Gaza.”
The conference also featured an address from Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Training, Renée Cable, who called the gathering “incredibly important.”
For many in attendance, the event was more than just a weekend of workshops—it was a chance to feel seen, heard, and connected in the shared experience of being young, Muslim, and Canadian.