Interfaith Encounters: A Taste of Islamic Shi’a Life

Oct 7, 2026

Audience seated at tables during a presentation at A Taste of Islamic Shi'a Life

Interfaith Encounters: A Taste of Islamic Shi’a Life

On Tuesday, October 7th, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, students gathered at the Multi-Faith Centre in Koffler House at the University of Toronto to discover the origins, traditions and stories connected to cultural foods in Shi’a Muslim life.

The evening opened with welcome and introductions, followed by presentations, including one on manuscripts and the collections of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Guests then explored three stations: the Story Table, the Heritage Table, where they marked their own connections on a world map, and the Books and Artifacts Table.

This event was presented by the Shi’a Research Institute with University of Toronto Student Life and the Multi-Faith Centre, together with TMA UofT.

Event Photos

Guests seated at tables during the welcome to Interfaith Encounters: A Taste of Islamic Shi'a Life at the Multi-Faith Centre
Wide view of the room during Wayfinding and Introductions at A Taste of Islamic Shi'a Life
Speaker at the podium presenting the Shi'a Research Institute to students
Audience seated at tables during a presentation at A Taste of Islamic Shi'a Life
Students listening to a presentation on manuscripts, with manuscript images on screen
Presenter at the podium discussing manuscript images shown on screen
Presenter speaking beside a Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library slide
Full room of students at tables while a presenter speaks at the Multi-Faith Centre
Guests circulating between the stations at A Taste of Islamic Shi'a Life
Students in conversation at the Story Table, with the Books and Artifacts Table behind
Students gathered around the Story Table exploring its materials
The Story Table set with books, framed photographs and a Hussain display
Overhead view of the Story Table's Hussain display with handwritten notes from guests
Overhead view of the Books and Artifacts Table with a Qur'an, prayer beads, prayer stones and books
Hosts at the Heritage Table with its "Where are you connected to?" world map
"Where are you connected to?" world map marked with stickers by guests

Event Location:
Main Activity Hall (KP 208), 2nd Floor
Koffler House, University of Toronto
569 Spadina Ave,
Toronto, ON
M5S 2J7

Koffler House