National Muslim youth conference in Winnipeg draws young adults nationwide

The National Muslim Youth Conference, organized by the Islamic Social Services Association of Canada (ISSA Canada), brought together hundreds of young Muslim adults aged roughly 18 to 30 to Winnipeg on July 26–27, 2025.

Hosted at the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport, the two-day event focused on the theme “Building Resilience and Capacity to Foster Healthy Mental Health and Positive Self-Esteem in addressing racism, vicarious trauma, and Islamophobic hate” (issacanada). 

Attendees came from across Canada, representing diverse backgrounds and regions.

The conference was designed to create a safe and supportive space where participants could explore mental health strategies, confront Islamophobia, and engage in meaningful discussions around identity and self-worth. 

Key sessions included workshops on resilience-building, panel discussions on navigating racism and trauma, and opportunities to celebrate Muslim heritage.

Several speakers addressed the emotional toll of Islamophobic incidents and shared tools for healing and community solidarity. 

ISSA Canada has hosted similar events before—previous gatherings aimed at bridging Muslim and Indigenous communities, tackling hate, and fostering collective healing. 

A YouTube video highlights one such earlier solidarity conference that brought together Indigenous and Muslim participants in dialogue and shared action toward reconciliation (youtube.com).

The conference comes against a backdrop of growing concern within Manitoba about Islamophobia.

A 2022 report by the Manitoba Islamic Association showed that many Muslims in the province—including youth—face discrimination, verbal abuse, and threats in schools and public spaces (winnipegfreepress.com). 

By empowering young adults through community, reflection, and education, ISSA aims to counteract these trends with positive engagement.