Canadian Interfaith Conversation Participant Assembly 2025

The Participants' Assembly is a unique moment to enhance interfaith co-operation and advocate for religion in a pluralistic society. The Assembly is sponsored by the Canadian
Interfaith Conversation which gathers representatives of over 60 faith-based communities and organizations believing that people of faith can contribute positively to the benefit of all in Canadian society. Please share your voice!

 

Panel Discussion: Engaged Citizenship: the role of faith communities during an election
While we in Canada represent diverse faiths and cultures, we are also citizens. During elections we have the right to vote and choose candidates who embody wisdom, justice, and compassion, address key issues and pursue opportunities in pursuit of the public good. This panel discussion is an opportunity to explore how people of different faiths understand democracy and engaged citizenship, and engage during times of elections.

 

Moderator and Presenters:

  • Akaash Mahara

Akaash serves as an Executive member of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation and is an Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). He represents the international alliance of democratically-elected legislators in its work combatting corruption, strengthening good government, and upholding the rule of law. He also leads GOPAC’s project on international prosecution of Crimes Against Humanity and its work on reconciliation in post-conflict states and has presented at the United Nations General Assembly on this work.

 

  • Julia Beazley

Julia Beazley serves as the Director of Public Policy for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), and of the EFC’s Centre for Faith and Public Life, in Ottawa. With over two decades of experience in public policy and advocacy, Julia works to promote justice, the dignity and value of all human life, religious freedom and care for those who are vulnerable.

 

  • Rabbi Yael Splansky

Rabbi Splansky is the Senior Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto’s first synagogue. She is a graduate of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and joined Holy Blossom in 2014. She is a past president of the Toronto Board of Rabbis. She is a Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute and editor of Siddur Pirchei Kodesh amongst many other accomplishments. She was awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award for her commitment to refugee relief, support and advocacy for the unhoused, and building bridges among faith communities.

 

  • May Shihadeh

May is a dedicated community advocate, empowering marginalized groups and refugees through roles including Social Director at the British Columbia Muslim Association and board member of the Victoria Coalition Survivors of Torture. She represents these organizations in critical forums such as the Greater Victoria Police Advisory Diversity Committee and the International Academy for Law and Mental Health Congress in France, while also conducting mental health research with refugee youth at the University of Victoria.