Ahmed Khalil is a second generation Canadian Muslim, inspirational speaker, Imam, and da’wah coordinator. He has more than 20 years of experience in da’wah and Islamic activism. He currently serves as Imam with the Muslim Association of Canada, a national faith-based charity that runs education and social programs for Canadian Muslims. Ahmed has a B.Eng. in Computer Engineering, from Carleton University, where he served with the Muslim Students’ Association. He also has a diploma in Film Production from Vancouver, where he worked on integrating spirituality through the media. He has a diploma in Shariah and Islamic Studies, from Samaha Academy, under the supervision of Sheikh Jasim Muhalhal Al-Yaseen and another from Zad Academy under the supervision of Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid. He is an avid reader and student of knowledge, and father of three.
You can find Ahmed in T27 Tory on Fridays from 9am – 11am or by appointment.
Email: akhalil@macnet.ca

I am a meditation guide attached to the Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre, where I am also a volunteer director. Over the years, I’ve led quite a few regular sitting meditation practices and ceremonies. As well, I lead classes in traditional Buddhist shamatha or “peacefully abiding” meditation, and in the Tibetan Buddhist compassion practice of tonglen.

I became involved with the Spirituality Centre, a few years ago… It was after the Shambhala Centre was asked if any teachers were available to talk with and guide students from Religious Studies who wanted to visit a Buddhist centre as part of their curriculum. We hosted a number of students over the following months who joined-in on meditation practices, rituals, and celebrations. It was apparent after that experience that there was a desire among students for a Buddhist chaplain to be available on-campus who could teach in a secular and ecumenic atmosphere.

Spirituality can be a pretty loaded term. But, I would say that my practice is a simply a path of deepening and appreciating what it means to be human. As a Buddhist, I wouldn’t say that it’s a free time activity, per se, but more of a journey without a goal. I’m just learning to recollect my natural dignity as a human being… and of course, forgetting constantly. That’s where formal meditation practice comes in handy – remembering to just be a human being.

Most often, I try to help students to relearn how to be gentler and appreciative of their own minds, hearts, and bodies, through meditative practices. There is a tremendous amount of aggression foisted upon the young by our society. A lot of that is internalized as a sense of basic unworthiness and anxiety, that then develops into relational and societal problems.

You can find Colin in T27 on Mondays typically from 12pm – 2pm. Colin hosts Learn to Medidate sessions from 12pm – 1:30pm the first Monday of every month and Drop In Meditation from 12:30pm – 1pm the remaining Mondays. For additional information, please email Colin.

Email: ccordner@connect.carleton.ca

Emily Lorentz is a campus minister with an inter-denominational Christian non-profit called The Navigators where she helps university students make sense of the life and teachings of Jesus. She and the Navigator community aim to help one another walk in apprenticeship to Jesus wherever someone may find themselves on their spiritual journey through mentorship, small group Bible study, and authentic conversation. Emily embarked on this journey five years ago after graduating with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish. She’s currently pursuing a MA in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership.

You can find Emily in T27 on Thursdays from 9am – 11:30am. Please email her for additional times.

Email: emilyl@navigators.ca
Phone: 613-581-5640

Heather Logan is a Wiccan initiate and high priestess of a local Alexandrian coven. Her involvement in the Pagan community began more than
25 years ago when a deep love of Nature and curiosity about spiritual matters led her to join a university-based Pagan group. She believes that Wicca is fundamentally experiential and that the power of ritual lies in its ability to create meaning and connection and to trigger psychological change. Originally from California, she immigrated to Canada in 2005 with her husband and cats to take a faculty position in Carleton’s Department of Physics, where she is currently a full professor in the theoretical particle physics group. In 2015 she founded Pagans of Carleton to serve as a social hub for Pagan students, and prior to the pandemic she occasionally co-hosted the monthly Ottawa Pagan Meet & Greet.

Heather is currently meeting with students by appointment only. Please send her an email to connect with her at heather.logan@carleton.ca

Email: heather.logan@carleton.ca
Website: https://pagansofcarleton.home.blog/

Rev. Mark Whittall is the pastor of Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank Street in Old Ottawa South, just steps from the campus of Carleton University. Mark is an ordained priest of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa and serves as Archdeacon of Ottawa Centre. He has been a Chaplain at Carleton since 2017. Mark is an engineer by training with graduate degrees in Theoretical Physics and in Development Economics from Oxford University. His first career was as an engineer, executive and CEO in the high-tech sector. Mark left his business career to pursue the study of theology at St. Paul University in Ottawa. He has served as a Lecturer in the History of Science, was ordained in 2008, and following three years in the parish of Huntley, he was tasked with building a new congregation at St. Albans Church in 2011. Mark is the author of two books, ReInvention: Stories from an Urban Church (2016) and ReImagine: Preaching in the Present Tense (2017). He was appointed the incumbent priest of Trinity Anglican Church in 2021. He and his family live in Old Ottawa South and Mark is an avid fan and season ticket holder for Carleton Ravens Basketball. Mark parle couramment l’anglais et le français. Go Ravens!

You can find Mark in T27 on Tuesdays from 11am – 1pm. Please email him for additional times.

Email: mark.whittall@trinityottawa.ca
Phone: 613-793-7355
Website: https://www.trinityottawa.ca/ and https://www.markwhittall.com/

Meet Nimao Ali, the principal of Abraar Secondary school. Ms. Ali completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Mathematics at Carleton University and later received an Adult Education Teaching Certificate at Algonquin College. She continued her education, completing Principal Qualifications at York University. Ms. Ali has been working as an Islamic studies teacher and educator for both adults and children for almost 20 years. Ali’s past local volunteer involvements include: sitting on the RCMP National Adviser Committee as a member, serving as a member on the OCISO Non-Profit Housing board and holding key positions in the Ottawa chapter of the Muslim Association of Canada.

In 2017, Nimao served as an external adviser to the Minister of Children and Youth Services of Ontario and she is a current board member of Somerset West Community Health Centre. In addition, Ms. Ali worked as an education project coordinator in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. She has also co-founded local organizations undertaking key projects in girls’ education and empowerment in Canada. As a former Carleton student, Ms. Ali is looking forward to connecting with you all and giving back to our university.

Nimao will be in T27 on Wednesdays from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Starting at 6:30pm, there will be a sisters circle. To connect with Nimao 1-1, please visit between 5:30pm – 6:30pm or send her an email.

Email: nimaoali@cmail.carleton.ca

Rev. Ryan Farrell (he/him) leads the ministry of Ottawa Campus Chaplaincy (OCC) which seeks to be a space of belonging and discipleship for Carleton (and uOttawa) students. OCC runs various groups and activities throughout the academic year that may assist students in their spiritual growth and academic life. Ryan is ordained with the Christian Reformed Church but loves to meet with students of all backgrounds. Previously, he worked with a local church in Kingston, ON serving in areas of youth work and pastoral care. He also worked as a part-time campus minister at Queen’s University. Ryan’s educational background includes a Master of Divinity from Tyndale Seminary and undergraduate studies in theology and pastoral ministry. He loves to run and looks forward to hitting the trails along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River.
You can find Ryan in T27 on Wednesdays from 2pm – 5:30pm or by appointment throughout the week to talk about faith, Scripture, questions, doubts, and the day-to-day struggles of university life. He aims to create a space of openness and careful listening. Ryan has wrestled with his own spiritual and mental wellness at times and wants to journey with you!
Email: chaplain@ottawacampuschaplaincy.org
Phone/Text: 613-483-1222
Book an appointment with Ryan here!
Phone/Text: 613-483-1222

Fr. Steven was born in Finch, Ontario, (about an hour from Ottawa) in 1995.
He studied philosophy and theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London Ontario. He was ordained a Catholic Priest in 2021, serving the archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. There he served as associate pastor at Divine Infant parish in Orleans for two years.
Fr. Steven is currently serving as associate pastor of Holy Redeemer Kanata part time, and part time Catholic Chaplain to Carleton University.
You can find Fr. Steven in T27 on Fridays from 4pm-6pm. Please email him for additional appointment times.

Email: fr.stevengaudet@gmail.com