The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth Announces the 2025 YMCA Peace Medal Winners
Each year, the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth honours three individuals who’ve shown outstanding commitment to fostering peace in their community, at their Peace Medal Awards Breakfast.
YMCA Peace Week is an annual national event held every third week of November. It’s a time when we come together to acknowledge and celebrate the harmony that exists both within our local environment and the broader world. Our belief is clear: Living in peace with our close ones, especially those who have differences, sets the foundation for a peaceful world.
As part of Peace Week celebrations, YMCA Peace Medals are awarded across Canada. These medals honour individuals or groups who, irrespective of their resources or status, exemplify the essence of P-E-A-C-E (Participation, Empathy, Advocacy, Community, and Empowerment) with significant contributions to their communities, be it local, national, or international.
The 2025 Peace Medal Award Recipients are:
Health and Wellbeing Medal – Presented by EY
Recipient: Shaleen Jones
Shaleen Jones is being honoured for her extraordinary, decades-long dedication to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders in Nova Scotia and across Canada. As the founder and leader of Eating Disorders Nova Scotia (EDNS), she has built groundbreaking peer support programs, including the national initiative Body Peace Canada, and has created spaces—both virtual and soon physical—for healing, community, and connection.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Medal – Presented by Halifax International Airport Authority
Recipient: Rana Zaman
Rana Zaman is receiving the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Peace Medal for her tireless work as a community leader, advocate, and bridge-builder who champions justice, equity, and compassion. Through peaceful protests, community events, interfaith collaborations, and global advocacy, she has united people across diverse backgrounds and amplified the voices of marginalized communities.
Empowering Youth Medal – Presented by McInnes Cooper
Recipient: Ahmed Galal (Sabeel Muslim Youth & Community Centre)
Ahmed Galal is being recognized with the Empowering Youth Peace Medal for his exceptional leadership as President (volunteer role) of the Sabeel Youth Committee. Under his guidance, a small group of youth volunteers has grown into a driving force for community change, offering free tutoring, professional development opportunities, and inclusive recreational events that break down barriers and foster belonging. His vision and determination led to the creation of the Sabeel Muslim Champion Scholarship—the first Muslim-focused scholarship in Atlantic Canada—which has secured multi-year funding and opened doors for local youth. By involving his peers in every step of the process, from fundraising to program delivery, Ahmed not only builds meaningful initiatives but also equips other young leaders with the skills and confidence to create lasting impact.
For more information about the YMCA Peace Medal Awards Breakfast visit:
