Press Releases
2011:
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING FOR MUSLIMFEST 2011:
Over 10, 000 expected to gather at Celebration Square for 8th Annual MuslimFest
Mississauga, ON – July 3, 2011 – An African American Muslim, Jewish Indian and an Christian Arab walk in to Celebration Square in Mississauga. At least they in will in a few weeks.
“It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke,” Amer Meknas, MuslimFest Event Director muses, “and we hope that will get the community to take notice.”
In it’s 8th year, MuslimFest celebrates the best of Muslim art, culture and entertainment with a greater goal of bridging the gap between the Muslim community and our neighbours in Canada. “Art in all forms – visual, performance, comedic, food – brings people together, and that is our focus. We hope that MuslimFest becomes a vehicle to bring the entire community together to share and learn from one another,” Meknas elaborates.
Funatical: taking Comedy to the extreme is only a part of the plan to bring the community together. This year’s MuslimFest, July 23-24, 2011, boasts performances and/or hosting by international stars Junaid Jamshed (Pakistan), Le Rappel (France) and HBO’s Def Poetry Carlos Andres Gomez(USA) along side local Canadian talent, Moez Melon (Montreal), Waseem Mo Money (Ottawa) and CBC’s Muhammad Lila (Toronto).
Program Director, Shakera Nagil, says “This family friendly events aims to be a non-stop celebration of Muslim creativity. Throughout the day there will be opportunities to peruse the festival favourite art exhibit, catch a screening of Fordson or Mooz-lum, and watch up-and-coming talent compete in the Rising Talent competition.
If that weren’t enough, the MuslimFest team is also extremely excited to be moving to Celebration Square in the heart of Mississauga. “We are really excited to be at Celebration Square! It’s a state-of-the-art facility and just felt like a natural progression for MuslimFest. Moving to the completely outdoor venue means we are more accessible, both physically and financially, given that all the programming is now at a barrier-free facility and free of charge,” explains Taha Ghayyur, MuslimFest board of director member.
With all the returning favourites, a diverse array of talent and a change in venue to the newly renovated Celebration Square in Mississauga, thousands of festival goers are expected and MuslimFest 2011 promises to be bigger and better than ever.
For further information please contact Lina Rahman (Director, People Management, MuslimFest 2011)
Tel: 416-575-8842
Email: lina@muslimfest.com
Website: www.muslimfest.com
Please Note: A full schedule of events is available on our website. Any special ceremonies with guest s and dignitaries will be forwarded once this information is confirmed.
MuslimFest is an event focussed on building bridges of understanding and sharing the multicultural heritage of Islam with all Canadians through art, culture, and entertainment.
MuslimFest is grateful to our sponsors: Maple Lodge Farms, IRFAN Canada, Sound Vision Canada, DawaNet, Risala Academy, Blossom Pure, the Ontario Gift of Life Foundation, Soldmates.ca, Human Concern International, Karamia, Faith of Life Network and our Volunteer Champions, Boston Pizza Square One and Muslim Gear. We are also honoured for the support we received from the City of Mississauga and Ontario Tourism.
Previous Press Releases:
MuslimFest 2010: Comedy, poetry, raw talent and a chance to win $1000 cash!
Only one month remains before the doors of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre swing open to welcome the 7th annual MuslimFest, a celebration of the finest and the brightest in Muslim Arts and Entertainment.
As the Canadian front-runner in the promotion of community bridge building- this year’s MuslimFest promises to be as rich and entertaining as the last.
As always, the feature presentation at MuslimFest is packed with some of the biggest names in Muslim entertainment. This year’s Night of Comedy and Poetry, presented by Maple Lodge Farms, promises to be an explosion of side-splitting laughs as well as emotionally charged spoken word performances.
“We are excited to bring Somalian stand-up comedian Prince Abdi to MuslimFest this year,” says Program Director, Shakera Nagil. “Abdi drew us in with his smart, whacky style and we know the MuslimFest crowd will love him.”
Joining him on stage is Canadian comedian, Hamzah Moin. “Hamzah was a definite crowd pleaser at the show last year,” says Nagil. “We’re happy to have him back once again.”
If MuslimFest is putting on a show, the audience already knows they are going to see something they wouldn’t see at any other Muslim event.
“Bob Cates of Comedy in Motion isn’t like any other stand-up comedian,” says Festival Director, Amer Meknas. “He is a comedian and a circus act all rolled into one!”
For those whose taste calls for something a bit more serious there is a lineup of spoken word artists ready to move the entire room with every word spoken.
“Brother Dash’s style of spoken word poetry really intrigues me,” says Director of Publicity, Zebunnisa Mirza. “I love how he successfully combines academic English, street prose, comedy and raw emotion all together into an energetically delivered poem.”
Age is no limit to talent, and this year’s show is set to prove this statement stronger than ever.
16-year-old Amal Ahmed and 14-year-old Mustafa Ahmed have been invited to perform as part of the MuslimFest Rising Talent in past years. This year, however, they are both joining the main stage in Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts centre to impress the audience with their raw maturity.
“It’s amazing to see some of our young talent graduate to the big stage,” says Nagil. “This year, things are bigger and better. I really hope every aspiring artist out there takes advantage of our Rising Talent stage to showcase their art to the crowds and hopefully win some money too!”
Hosted by MC Hamzah Moin, the new and improved Rising Talent Competition offers artists a chance to compete on stage for a cash prize of $1000. Talented individuals are encouraged to visit the website to acquire more information for enrolling in the competition.
MuslimFest 2010 is set to take place on July 31st and August 1st at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.
Featuring over 52 Canadian and international artists, a food bazaar, hands on interactive workshops, theatrical performances , a Film Festival and inflatable games to satisfy the needs of the youngest of attendees- MuslimFest is an event that will amuse, stimulate and inspire both young and old.
For more information call 1 877 994 3292
