Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA) and the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute held their 4th annual Multicultural Teafest in Winnipeg over the weekend.

Hundreds of Manitobans went to the Centre Culturel Franco-Manibotain on Provencher Blvd Sunday, Oct. 15 to learn about a number of cultures through different types of tea.

“The unique thing about this is through tea we can learn about different parts of the world,” said Islamic Social Services Association President Shahina Siddiqui. “Not a single culture has tea that tastes the same and it’s all unique in the way it’s prepared.”

Siddiqui says the event is held in the middle of October every year to coincide with Islamic History Month Canada.

She adds tea isn’t something people often think about when they discuss multiculturalism but often it’s one of the best ways to bring people from different backgrounds together.

“In pretty much every culture people sit and relax with tea and they have their family and friends over for tea,” Siddiqui said. “Tea time is when people unwind from the regular issues or stress they have.”

“We want to create an environment where people are relaxed, playing games and getting to know each other and each other’s cultures.”

The family friendly event included cultural performances, music and a special Star Wars tea booth set up for kids. Each kiosk had a representative to answer questions.

Siddiqui says the fact each tea is different sparks more conversation.

“Japanese tea has a unique taste from Chinese tea and there are specific dainties that go with different types of tea,” she said. “We always have new people tell us ‘wow, I wish I knew about this last year’ and then they bring their family and friends the next year and that’s great because they’re getting to know people and their cultures.”

This year’s Teafest was especially convened in honour of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action to create spaces for dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.

The Teafest is funded, in part, by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba’s Multiculturalism Secretariat, and forms a part of Islamic History Month Canada activities.