Boonaa Mohammed, 28, filmmaker and poet

Mohammed is a filmmaker and spoken word poet whose parents came to Canada from Ethiopia in the 1980s as political refugees. He lives in Pickering with his wife and two young children.

What’s your favourite thing about living in the GTA? Biggest frustration?

My favourite thing has to be the diversity. My biggest frustration is also probably the diversity, because there are so many different ethnic groups that have strong communities here, it sometimes feels like although we have access to many different worlds, we are still cut off from one another.

Have you ever faced discrimination?

Yes, many times. Being a black, African, son of a refugee Muslim in a post-9/11 North America means there are many crossroads where hatred can be directed toward me.

How do you deal with people’s negative attitudes around your faith?

Honestly, it’s difficult. I was once wearing a thobe (traditional Arab male garment) at a Canadian Tire when an old white man asked me if I was a transsexual because I was wearing a dress. I told him no, I wasn’t and that to my knowledge many priests also wear long gowns. I really stumped him, he just mum

bled and walked away.

What do you hope people will take away from this?

I hope people will take it upon themselves to investigate this faith openheartedly in an effort to better understand their neighbours, and foster an environment of love, respect

and peace for all.