*Patron bios are located under Patron's Corner*
Patron's Corner
In a new series called Patron's Corner, we ask MHI Patrons to answer a specific question from their faith perspective. Each Patron represents a different faith group, meaning each answer will be both rich and diverse.
February's submission answered by Imam Dr. Zijad Delić, South Nepean Muslim Community (SNMC)
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: One very unique feature of Islam is that it establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism – between an individual and a society. It is concerned about both equally. Islam holds everyone personally accountable to God. The Qur’an confirms this reality: “Insan (a human being) shall have nothing but what he/she strives for.” (53: 39)
On the other hand, it also awakens a sense of social responsibility in human beings, organizes them in a community/society/state and enjoins the individual to subscribe to the social and common good. In short, Islam neither neglects the individual nor society. It establishes a harmony and a balance between the two and assigns to each its proper due.
Thus, Islam, in the life of Canadian Muslims, acts as a facilitator or catalyst by which they can fully participate as citizens, actualizing their faith in concrete ways and realizing their potential as contributors to their well-being, that of their own community and of all other Canadians as well. Therefore, active citizenship implies not only that citizens be engaged in taking ownership of their rights, but that they also embrace corresponding societal responsibilities that go beyond just holding a passport, or paying taxes. This level of engagement includes being part of civic decision-making processes, caring about our society’s cohesion and building its human, cultural and economic resources – building its social capital.
Canadian Muslims are here and they are here to stay. They are present in every walk of Canadian life. They are successful citizens who enjoy all the freedoms of fellow Canadians and are living proof that Islam is fully compatible with the fabric and values of Canadian society. As Canada’s citizens, they are socially and religiously responsible to assist in making our home (Canada) the best place for themselves as well as for all other citizens – including those different from us and especially those who are more vulnerable than us!
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: One very unique feature of Islam is that it establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism – between an individual and a society. It is concerned about both equally. Islam holds everyone personally accountable to God. The Qur’an confirms this reality: “Insan (a human being) shall have nothing but what he/she strives for.” (53: 39)
On the other hand, it also awakens a sense of social responsibility in human beings, organizes them in a community/society/state and enjoins the individual to subscribe to the social and common good. In short, Islam neither neglects the individual nor society. It establishes a harmony and a balance between the two and assigns to each its proper due.
Thus, Islam, in the life of Canadian Muslims, acts as a facilitator or catalyst by which they can fully participate as citizens, actualizing their faith in concrete ways and realizing their potential as contributors to their well-being, that of their own community and of all other Canadians as well. Therefore, active citizenship implies not only that citizens be engaged in taking ownership of their rights, but that they also embrace corresponding societal responsibilities that go beyond just holding a passport, or paying taxes. This level of engagement includes being part of civic decision-making processes, caring about our society’s cohesion and building its human, cultural and economic resources – building its social capital.
Canadian Muslims are here and they are here to stay. They are present in every walk of Canadian life. They are successful citizens who enjoy all the freedoms of fellow Canadians and are living proof that Islam is fully compatible with the fabric and values of Canadian society. As Canada’s citizens, they are socially and religiously responsible to assist in making our home (Canada) the best place for themselves as well as for all other citizens – including those different from us and especially those who are more vulnerable than us!
December's submission answered by Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Temple Israel
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: Traditional Jewish evening prayers include the blessing: Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. It is believed that the prayer is approximately 1500 years old, originating at a time when it was dangerous for Jews to be outside in the dark. Seeing at there was no electrical lights to shine on the road and offer protection, God’s light was sought. As I recite my own evening prayers, I’m reminded that in spiritual and literal darker times, we rely on God’s shelter. From this place of vulnerability, I also look to my own responsibilities to reflect Godliness and provide cover.
The news of recent weeks and months have focused on affordable housing. To have a home is a basic right. Within the home we nourish ourselves, we share space with loved ones, we rest our heads so that we can be energized for the day. Of course we don’t need to look to the news, we feel the pinch ourselves. To cover our housing costs and put food on the table is a struggle. With the days getting colder and darker, we feel the weight of this burden even more. From this fragile place, we look inwardly, outwardly and beyond. First, we do the best we can to provide for ourselves and for our families. A key focus, how do we fill our homes, as in what values do we prioritize. I pray generosity and loving kindness is high on our list. Secondly, we look to our neighbours recognizing that we can build one another up. Our inflation struggles are shared as are our hopes for tomorrow, we can creatively and enthusiastically invest in communal resources. And finally, we can look to our faith, we need not feel alone, God is by our side. The Eternal serves to inspire, reminding us that no challenge is insurmountable and when we collaborate for a common cause we are destined to succeed.
May we let our lights shine bright as we spread over our community affordable shelters of peace.
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: Traditional Jewish evening prayers include the blessing: Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. It is believed that the prayer is approximately 1500 years old, originating at a time when it was dangerous for Jews to be outside in the dark. Seeing at there was no electrical lights to shine on the road and offer protection, God’s light was sought. As I recite my own evening prayers, I’m reminded that in spiritual and literal darker times, we rely on God’s shelter. From this place of vulnerability, I also look to my own responsibilities to reflect Godliness and provide cover.
The news of recent weeks and months have focused on affordable housing. To have a home is a basic right. Within the home we nourish ourselves, we share space with loved ones, we rest our heads so that we can be energized for the day. Of course we don’t need to look to the news, we feel the pinch ourselves. To cover our housing costs and put food on the table is a struggle. With the days getting colder and darker, we feel the weight of this burden even more. From this fragile place, we look inwardly, outwardly and beyond. First, we do the best we can to provide for ourselves and for our families. A key focus, how do we fill our homes, as in what values do we prioritize. I pray generosity and loving kindness is high on our list. Secondly, we look to our neighbours recognizing that we can build one another up. Our inflation struggles are shared as are our hopes for tomorrow, we can creatively and enthusiastically invest in communal resources. And finally, we can look to our faith, we need not feel alone, God is by our side. The Eternal serves to inspire, reminding us that no challenge is insurmountable and when we collaborate for a common cause we are destined to succeed.
May we let our lights shine bright as we spread over our community affordable shelters of peace.
November's submission answered by Reverend Doctor Anthony Bailey, recently retired from Parkdale United Church.
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament provide a compelling mandate for affordable, dignified and adequate housing. There is no doubt about this. We know that there is gross inequity in our society and in the world, when it comes to affordable and accessible housing. We must acknowledge and confess this gross inequity that permeates our societies, when it comes to affordable housing. I declare that the lack of affordable housing is grievous to God. Too many of us are egregiously nonchalant about the dire plight of our fellow human siblings, who do not enjoy dignified and affordable housing.
We must admit that those of us who follow Jesus, do not always imbibe or adhere to the clarion call of God, to justly provide those experiencing poverty and homelessness, with adequate and affordable housing. In the book of Deuteronomy 15:11, we read: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” I believe that we are compelled to ask: why will there always be poor people in the land? Is it inevitable that any of our fellow humans should be consigned to poverty and homelessness? Absolutely not! Rather, it is the failure of justice, imagination and equity. God knows that we have a propensity to get things wrong, which is why God provides remedies for our misplaced priorities. God commands us to be “openhanded toward” those experiencing poverty, homelessness and need.
Jesus himself experienced housing insecurity. He once declared: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”(Luke 9:58). At certain times in his life, Jesus had to rely of the generosity and welcome of others, when it came to housing. Interestingly, the gospel of Mark (2.1-12), suggests that Jesus may have owned a house at some point. Likely, he was sharing the house with his mother; Mary. That was most likely the house where men broke through the roof in order to lower a paralyzed man so Jesus could heal him. Jesus was all in when it came to dignified living. We are told in the gospel of Matthew that Jesus declares: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Affordable and dignified housing is a right for all humankind; no exception. May God’s mandate, justice, desire and urgency, cause us make this so, together.
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament provide a compelling mandate for affordable, dignified and adequate housing. There is no doubt about this. We know that there is gross inequity in our society and in the world, when it comes to affordable and accessible housing. We must acknowledge and confess this gross inequity that permeates our societies, when it comes to affordable housing. I declare that the lack of affordable housing is grievous to God. Too many of us are egregiously nonchalant about the dire plight of our fellow human siblings, who do not enjoy dignified and affordable housing.
We must admit that those of us who follow Jesus, do not always imbibe or adhere to the clarion call of God, to justly provide those experiencing poverty and homelessness, with adequate and affordable housing. In the book of Deuteronomy 15:11, we read: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” I believe that we are compelled to ask: why will there always be poor people in the land? Is it inevitable that any of our fellow humans should be consigned to poverty and homelessness? Absolutely not! Rather, it is the failure of justice, imagination and equity. God knows that we have a propensity to get things wrong, which is why God provides remedies for our misplaced priorities. God commands us to be “openhanded toward” those experiencing poverty, homelessness and need.
Jesus himself experienced housing insecurity. He once declared: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”(Luke 9:58). At certain times in his life, Jesus had to rely of the generosity and welcome of others, when it came to housing. Interestingly, the gospel of Mark (2.1-12), suggests that Jesus may have owned a house at some point. Likely, he was sharing the house with his mother; Mary. That was most likely the house where men broke through the roof in order to lower a paralyzed man so Jesus could heal him. Jesus was all in when it came to dignified living. We are told in the gospel of Matthew that Jesus declares: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Affordable and dignified housing is a right for all humankind; no exception. May God’s mandate, justice, desire and urgency, cause us make this so, together.
October's submission answered by Reverend Fred Demaray from the First Baptist Church.
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: As I read the Gospels in the Christian Scriptures as well as the prophetic books in the Hebrew Scriptures which are all part of the Christian Tradition, I hear an often repeated call for taking action for the poor or other peoples that are not well treated by society. A prime example of this comes in Matthew 25:31ff. Jesus is describes a vison of the final judgement of the world. He lists several things people have done for him, all of which describe the situation of the poor. Doing this without realizing that we are serving him is the response he seeks and says that in as much as we have done this for others we have done it for him. That passage is a clear call to care for those whom society often pushes to the fringes. It seems to me that providing affordable housing is one of the things we are called to do for others. This is a call to meet the community with justice, and it requires a response.
The Jesus that is remembered by the Gospel writers is always including the poor and disenfranchised in his response to society. That call of caring for the poor and making certain they have the resources needed for healthy living is a foundational principle of the need for affordable housing. So, given a resource to help seek this, I am drawn to MHI and the work we do toward housing all peoples. On my own I cannot do much, but with the community of MHI I can be part of bringing hope of housing to those who need that resource for living. I am grateful for this community of faith based people.
Question: "What aspects of your faith tradition inspires or compels you to advocate for affordable housing?"
Answer: As I read the Gospels in the Christian Scriptures as well as the prophetic books in the Hebrew Scriptures which are all part of the Christian Tradition, I hear an often repeated call for taking action for the poor or other peoples that are not well treated by society. A prime example of this comes in Matthew 25:31ff. Jesus is describes a vison of the final judgement of the world. He lists several things people have done for him, all of which describe the situation of the poor. Doing this without realizing that we are serving him is the response he seeks and says that in as much as we have done this for others we have done it for him. That passage is a clear call to care for those whom society often pushes to the fringes. It seems to me that providing affordable housing is one of the things we are called to do for others. This is a call to meet the community with justice, and it requires a response.
The Jesus that is remembered by the Gospel writers is always including the poor and disenfranchised in his response to society. That call of caring for the poor and making certain they have the resources needed for healthy living is a foundational principle of the need for affordable housing. So, given a resource to help seek this, I am drawn to MHI and the work we do toward housing all peoples. On my own I cannot do much, but with the community of MHI I can be part of bringing hope of housing to those who need that resource for living. I am grateful for this community of faith based people.
About MHI's patrons
We are privileged to have the support of Religious Patrons (who are formal faith community leaders) and Civic Patrons (who are recognized leaders within the community and/or field of endeavour) who:
- support the mission and goals of MHI
- promote MHI within their constituency
- network and provide advice to MHI’s staff and directors concerning their constituency
- represent and speak publicly in support of MHI
MHI religious patrons
Reverend Dr. Anthony Bailey | Christian (United), Parkdale United Church
Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey became a MHI Religious Patron in 2017. He has been ministering to the Parkdale United Church community in Ottawa since 1999. Rev. Dr. Bailey is a leader in interfaith collaboration and is a strong promoter of social justice issues, affordable housing, and providing food and shelter for all. He was a recipient of the 2020 Order of Ottawa.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Blum | Jewish, Ottawa Torah Centre
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Blum became a MHI Religious Patron in 2018. Rabbi Blum is the founder and spiritual leader of the Ottawa Torah Centre (OTC). Rabbi Blum actively seeks opportunities to help increase knowledge of the Jewish faith and commitment to diversity and inclusion including Jewish-Muslim relationships and acceptance.
Donna Boisvert | Christian (Baptist), Sequoia Community Church
Donna Boisvert became a MHI Religious Patron in 2018. She is the retired Community Pastor of Sequoia Church in Nepean. The church is very involved with The Haven. She is also a leader of Respond Ottawa which supports churches in the city as they respond to crises that may arise.
Rev. Dr. Teresa A. Burnett-Cole | Christian (United) Glebe St. James United Church
The Reverend Doctor Teresa Burnett-Cole is the Coordinating Minister at Glebe-St. James United Church in Ottawa. She began her theological studies as a Roman Catholic before she joined the United Church of Canada. Teresa is of Mohawk and Irish/Scottish heritage. She currently serves on the National Indigenous Council and the General Council Executive of The United Church of Canada. Her area of expertise is liturgy with a particular focus on Indigenous Christian worship. She sees housing as a major issue for the wellbeing of people. This is particularly so for the Indigenous community. When not working (!), Teresa enjoys playing music, painting (artwork not walls), writing, and reading. She makes her home with her wife, Ruth, and their Jack Russell Terrier, Okwaho.
Reverend Dianne Cardin | Christian (United), Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council
Rev. Dianne Cardin became a MHI Religious Patron in 2020. She retired from full time ministry in the United Church of Canada in 2009 and now serves as a short term supply minister. She has been involved with MHI since 2002: volunteering at The Haven, initiating the United Church Region Quilts for Veterans’ House project as well as giving leadership to their United We Stand worship service and the Regional Fundraising for Veterans’ House Canada.
The Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse | Christian (Roman Catholic), Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of Ottawa-Cornwall
Archbishop Marcel Damphousse became a Religious Patron in 2022. He was ordained a priest in 1991 for the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface and became Rector of the Cathedral in 2008. He was ordained Bishop for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall on September 2nd, 2012 and in 2015 was appointed the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In May 2020, He was named the coadjutor archbishop of the newly created Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, and succeeded Archbishop Terrence Prendergast following the latter's retirement in December 2020. He has an interest in spiritual theology, evangelization, and the world of sports.
Imam Zijad Delić | Muslim, South Nepean Muslim Community
Imam Ziad Delić became a MHI Religious Patron in 2012. In April 2004, he helped organize a meeting between Muslim leaders and rabbis. This led to the creation of the annual Muslim-Jewish Peace Walk. In 2007, Imam Delić became the first Muslim ever to be a guest speaker at the Canadian Conference of Catholic bishops in Cornwall Ontario.
Reverend Fred Demaray | Christian (Baptist), First Baptist Church
Reverend Fred Demaray became a MHI Religious Patron in 2015. He is a retired Baptist Minister who served on the Board of MHI and then became the Baptist Patron. He serves on the Membership and Outreach Committee of MHI, and is involved in Ecumenical and Interfaith work in the city. In 2020, he was awarded MHI’s Gay Richardson Volunteer Award.
Reverend Dr. Karen Dimock | Christian (Presbyterian), St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Ottawa
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock became a MHI Religious Patron in 2017. She is the minister of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa with a PhD. in neuroscience as well as a theological degree. She has a passion for discovering the world in which we live and our own place and calling in it.
Elder Albert Dumont | Algonquin Nation, Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa
Elder Albert Dumont, “South Wind”, became a MHI Religious Patron in 2020. He is a Poet, Storyteller, Speaker, and an Algonquin Traditional Teacher. He was born in traditional Algonquin Territory (Kitigan Zibi). He has dedicated his life to promoting Indigenous spirituality and healing and to protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. He is the 2021-2022 English Poet Laureate for the City of Ottawa.
Rabbi Steven Garten | Jewish, Emeritus, Temple Israel
Rabbi Steven Garten has been a MHI Religious Patron since 2006. He became Temple Israel’s Rabbi Emeritus in June 2014 after nineteen years as Senior Rabbi. Throughout, he has been an active participant in MHI events and interfaith dialogue more generally. He hosts Jewish Faith and Facts, a weekly radio show on CHRI radio in Ottawa.
Sister Jean Goulet | Christian (Roman Catholic), Sisters of Holy Cross
Sister Jean Goulet, c.s.c., a Sister of Holy Cross, became a MHI Religious Patron in 2020. She is a founding member of MHI and her community has always been a strong supporter of MHI. She was director of the office for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and has been committed for years to interfaith dialogue and interfaith collaboration, especially for affordable housing.
Cantor Jason Green | Jewish, Kehillat Beth Israel
A native of Montreal, Cantor Green was ordained as a Cantor-Minister by the London School of Jewish Studies and holds a Cantorial Commission from the Cantors Assembly, the world’s largest professional organization of Cantors. He has held the Cantorial position at Kehillat Beth Israel Congregation in Ottawa since 2018. As a teacher and clergy in that community, he is a strong advocate for interfaith dialogue and for providing affordable housing for the well being of all in the community.
Imam Sikander Hashmi | Muslim, Kanata Muslim Association
Imam Sikander Hashmi became a MHI Religious Patron in 2018. He is a passionate community builder focused on bringing people together. First in Kingston and now in Kanata, serving as an Imam for the Kanata Muslim Association, Imam Hashmi has worked to promote understanding, harmony, mutual respect and inclusiveness within the Muslim community and in the broader community.
Chaplain Barbara Helms | Muslim, Cordova Spiritual Education Center
Sister Barbara Helms became a MHI Religious Patron in 2019. Among her contributions to the Canadian Muslim community, she established an Islamic educational centre and school for Muslim girls in Cornwall, and has been providing professional psychotherapy to Muslim community members, through her private practice as a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO. She has been a chaplain with Cordova Spiritual Education Centre since 2013, and is the first female Muslim chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, enrolling in 2017 and currently serving with the 30th Field Artillery Regiment.
Imam Sheikh Haitham Hujaij | Muslim, Ahlul Bayt Center
His eminence Sheikh Haitham Hujaij became a MHI Religious Patron in 2019. He is a well-known spiritual leader in the Muslim community in the National Capital Region. He has been serving as the Imam, spiritual counsellor and resident scholar of Ahlul Bayt Center, Ottawa, for over 15 years. Ahlul-Bayt Centre is a voice for thousands of Muslim Canadian members in the National Capital Region.
Wendy James | Baha'i, Baha'i Community of Ottawa
Wendy James became a MHI Religious Patron in 2015. She is a long-standing and dedicated member of the Bahá’í Community of Ottawa, working tirelessly in support of her community. That community has been a deeply-involved supporter of MHI since 2015.
Reverend Martin Malina | Christian (Lutheran), Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pastor Martin Malina became an MHI Religious Patron in January 2013. He is the Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa and presently serves as the Dean of the Ottawa Ministry Area in the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. In addition, he is the National Coordinator of the Canadian Christian Meditation Community.
Reverend Eric Meter | Unitarian, First Unitarian Church
Rev. Eric Meter became an MHI Religious Patron in 2022. He has served Unitarian Universalist congregations since 1997, and has worked to turn members of those congregations to the need of safe affordable housing, and to alleviate, if of not end, homelessness. A new settler to Canada from the US, Rev Eric has worked with local homeless shelters, city planning agencies and Habitat for Humanity in Ohio, New York and California.
Imam Samy Metwally | Muslim, Islamic Society of Gloucester
Imam Samy Metwally became a MHI Religious Patron in 2012. He is a prominent community leader. He is a very dedicated voice against hate and a strong proponent of interfaith dialogue. For over five years, he served as the Imam for the Ottawa Main Mosque. He now serves as the Imam of the Islamic Society of Gloucester in Ottawa.
Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg | Jewish, Temple Israel Ottawa
Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg became a MHI Religious Patron in 2020, soon after his appointment as Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel Ottawa in 2019. He is a strong progressive voice for tikkun olam and inclusivity. Rabbi Mikelberg is proud to be a part of congregation efforts working towards Indigenous reconciliation and standing up to racism. He has volunteered on service projects in El Salvador, Cuba, and Ghana.
Reverend Fr. Emeka Onyeogubalu | Christian (Roman Catholic), Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
Reverend Fr. Emeka Onyeogubalu became a MHI Religious Patron in 2021. Fr. Emeka is the Priest at St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, and the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
Rt. Reverend Shane Parker | Christian (Anglican), Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Bishop Shane Parker became an MHI Religious Patron in 2020. On May 31, 2020, he became the 10th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. Over the years, he has taken an active interest in MHI’s work and other social justice issues. In 2010, Bishop Shane was the recipient of the Interfaith Ottawa Award for devoted service to promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
Rabbi Idan Scher | Jewish Orthodox, Congregation Machzikei Hadas
Rabbi Ilan Scher became a MHI Religious Patron in 2022. He worked closely with former Religious Patron Rabbi Bulka (z”l) as the junior Rabbi over a 4 year period and subsequently became the Head Rabbi of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Alta Vsta. Rabbi Scher is a dynamic and sought-after speaker, and a warm and engaging relationship-builder. He participated as a panelist in the “Remembering Rabbi Bulka of Blessed Memory -Sukkot, Multifaith Housing Initiative and the Blessing of Secure Housing" event organized by Congregations Kehillat Beth Israel ,Temple Israel and Jewish Family Services in 2021.
Reverend David Sherwin | Christian (United), Christian Council of the Capital Area
Rev. David Sherwin has been the minister at Zion Memorial United Church in Carleton Place since January 2019. Previously he served as Executive Minister for Ottawa Presbytery of the United Church of Canada for four years and was Director of Faith and Arts Ottawa for three years. He chairs the Christian Council of the Capital Region.
Dr. Imam Muhammad Suliman | Muslim, Ottawa Muslim Association
Dr. Muhammad Suliman became a MHI Religious Patron in 2020. He was an assistant professor at Alazhar University, Cairo, Egypt. He became Imam at the Ottawa Mosque and for the Ottawa Muslim Association in February 2020. Dr. Suliman is supportive of the work MHI is doing and recognizes the need for affordable housing.
*NEW* Reverend Paul Whynacht, CD, BSc, MDiv | Christian (United), Manotick United Church
Raised near Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Paul was called to ministry late in life and was ordained in 2023. He has been serving as the minister at Manotick United church since completing his studies and lives in Manotick with his spouse Irma and their two standard poodles. Their two sons and three of their grandchildren live in the Ottawa area and their daughter lives in Kingston with their other three grandchildren. In his spare time, Paul likes to volunteer at Perley Health as he spent 31 years in the Canadian Army and still feels deeply connected to veterans.
MHI civic patrons
Amy Awad | Amy Awad is a long-time volunteer in the Ottawa community. She has assumed various responsibilities with the Muslim Association of Canada including in their Ottawa education and community engagement portfolio and has been a champion for human rights and civic activism.
Sarah Caspi | Jewish Family Services (JFS of Ottawa), where she brings a commitment to social services, equity, advocacy, and mental health supports for the Jewish and larger Ottawa community.
Suzanne Doerge | Suzanne Doerge is an Adult Educator, Creative Writing Facilitator and Poet who was the
founding Executive Director of the City for All Women Initiative where, for 16 years, she worked with many organizations developing workshop tools and guides to advance equity and inclusion. More recently, she has offered multiple well received creative writing workshops at The Haven, having raised funds to support these ventures in partnership with MHI.
Dr. Sheema Khan | Sheema Khan holds a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard University, and is currently a patent agent at Kinaxis. She has been a monthly columnist with the Globe and Mail since 2002, and currently serves on the Board of the Harvard Club of Ottawa. She has served on the board of the United Nations Association in Canada and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. She is also active with a number of local community organizations.
Catherine McKenney | Catherine McKenney is a long-time friend of MHI and former City of Ottawa Counsellor for Somerset Ward (between 2014 and 2022). In 2023, Catherine became the co-founder of CitySHAPES non-profit organization to address issues of climate change, active transportation, transit, affordable housing and ending chronic homelessness.
Professor Rao Nanduri | has served the Montreal and Ottawa communities for many years, including as President of Indian Fine Arts Society (Bharatiya Sangeeta Sangham), and Chairman, The Great India Festival, Ottawa (continuing). His greatest passion is the study of cultures and performing arts of various cultures and their global connections.
Carl Nicholson | Catholic Centre For Immigrants Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants and Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants Foundation. Carl has been recognized widely for his myriad contributions to the community, including the Order of Ottawa and the Ontario 150 award among others.
Dr. Aisha Sherazi | Aisha Sherazi was born and raised in the UK, where she completed her PhD at Brunel University in Environmental Ecotoxicology. She is an active community volunteer and writes freelance editorials in various newspapers. She runs a small school program, Al-Furqan School for the Muslim Association of Canada and was the Principal at their Abraar School for three years in 2003.
David Spring | David Spring has been involved in the work of MHI for several years, both as an interested supporter and as a member of the MOC. For most of his career he worked for CIDA designing, planning and managing programs in Africa and Asia around microfinancing and small enterprise development. David is currently a member of the board of the Centre for Social Enterprise Development.
Nazira Naz Tareen | Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, (Founder & First President. Established in 2001), Christian Muslim Dialogue (Member since 1990), recipient of numerous awards for outstanding volunteering and contributions.
*NEW* Marianne Wilkinson | Marianne Wilkinson became involved in her community since she moved to Kanata. She had 29 years on municipal councils, including first mayor of the City of Kanata and 12 years as Councillor for Kanata North in the City of Ottawa. She was on the Boards of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (President), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Ottawa Community Housing (Chair), and many other boards & committees. As Warden of St. John’s Kanata North Anglican Church, she helped develop 83 units of social housing at Blue Heron Co-op. Her many awards include the Order of Ottawa and the name of the pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Queensway. She is presently President of the National Council of Women of Canada
Inspector David Zackrias | Ottawa Police Service, believes that inclusion is fundamental to public safety, and that celebrating, encouraging and respecting diversity makes Ottawa safer and stronger. A former member of the Capital Region Interfaith Council and Interfaith Ottawa, and a proud recipient of the Peace Award from the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, Zackrias continues his passion for building relations with Ottawa’s marginalized communities.
Sarah Caspi | Jewish Family Services (JFS of Ottawa), where she brings a commitment to social services, equity, advocacy, and mental health supports for the Jewish and larger Ottawa community.
Suzanne Doerge | Suzanne Doerge is an Adult Educator, Creative Writing Facilitator and Poet who was the
founding Executive Director of the City for All Women Initiative where, for 16 years, she worked with many organizations developing workshop tools and guides to advance equity and inclusion. More recently, she has offered multiple well received creative writing workshops at The Haven, having raised funds to support these ventures in partnership with MHI.
Dr. Sheema Khan | Sheema Khan holds a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard University, and is currently a patent agent at Kinaxis. She has been a monthly columnist with the Globe and Mail since 2002, and currently serves on the Board of the Harvard Club of Ottawa. She has served on the board of the United Nations Association in Canada and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. She is also active with a number of local community organizations.
Catherine McKenney | Catherine McKenney is a long-time friend of MHI and former City of Ottawa Counsellor for Somerset Ward (between 2014 and 2022). In 2023, Catherine became the co-founder of CitySHAPES non-profit organization to address issues of climate change, active transportation, transit, affordable housing and ending chronic homelessness.
Professor Rao Nanduri | has served the Montreal and Ottawa communities for many years, including as President of Indian Fine Arts Society (Bharatiya Sangeeta Sangham), and Chairman, The Great India Festival, Ottawa (continuing). His greatest passion is the study of cultures and performing arts of various cultures and their global connections.
Carl Nicholson | Catholic Centre For Immigrants Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants and Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants Foundation. Carl has been recognized widely for his myriad contributions to the community, including the Order of Ottawa and the Ontario 150 award among others.
Dr. Aisha Sherazi | Aisha Sherazi was born and raised in the UK, where she completed her PhD at Brunel University in Environmental Ecotoxicology. She is an active community volunteer and writes freelance editorials in various newspapers. She runs a small school program, Al-Furqan School for the Muslim Association of Canada and was the Principal at their Abraar School for three years in 2003.
David Spring | David Spring has been involved in the work of MHI for several years, both as an interested supporter and as a member of the MOC. For most of his career he worked for CIDA designing, planning and managing programs in Africa and Asia around microfinancing and small enterprise development. David is currently a member of the board of the Centre for Social Enterprise Development.
Nazira Naz Tareen | Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, (Founder & First President. Established in 2001), Christian Muslim Dialogue (Member since 1990), recipient of numerous awards for outstanding volunteering and contributions.
*NEW* Marianne Wilkinson | Marianne Wilkinson became involved in her community since she moved to Kanata. She had 29 years on municipal councils, including first mayor of the City of Kanata and 12 years as Councillor for Kanata North in the City of Ottawa. She was on the Boards of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (President), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Ottawa Community Housing (Chair), and many other boards & committees. As Warden of St. John’s Kanata North Anglican Church, she helped develop 83 units of social housing at Blue Heron Co-op. Her many awards include the Order of Ottawa and the name of the pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Queensway. She is presently President of the National Council of Women of Canada
Inspector David Zackrias | Ottawa Police Service, believes that inclusion is fundamental to public safety, and that celebrating, encouraging and respecting diversity makes Ottawa safer and stronger. A former member of the Capital Region Interfaith Council and Interfaith Ottawa, and a proud recipient of the Peace Award from the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, Zackrias continues his passion for building relations with Ottawa’s marginalized communities.
