What does that Media Say about MuslimFest?
Over the years, MuslimFest has been covered by major media outlets in Canada, including CBC Radio, Radio Dawah, CTV, City TV, Rogers Television, OMNI TV, Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, Mississauga News, Inside Toronto, North York Mirror, United Views, Ambition, Muslim Link, and Canadian Asian News.
MuslimFest 2004 Enjoyed by Many
Toronto Star, August 6, 2004
“Ever since I was born (in Toronto), I could not get myself to go to different festivals or concerts because of the alcohol present, or the types of music playing at concerts. And Saturday, I had thousands of people around me enjoying what I enjoy.
I want to thank MuslimFest 2004 organizers, helpers and supporters for bringing such an event to life, and for making Canadians like me feel the beauty of Islam in Canada. I really, really hope there is another event like this next summer.”
Shaila Kibria, University of Toronto Governor
City Celebrates its Cultural Diversity
Toronto Sun, August 8, 2004
"It was a celebration of diversity yesterday, as thousands came out to enjoy the food, art and culture of the Asian and Muslim communities. Just west of the city, art lovers in Mississauga gathered at the Living Arts Centre to enjoy MuslimFest.
Ten thousand people were expected to take advantage of the free workshops, film screenings, and food that celebrated the diversity of Muslim culture. Azhar Qureshi, spokesman for the event, said, "For people in the Muslim community, it shows that there is this aspect of the culture that should be embraced."
Fest Shows More to Islam than Prayer
Mississauga News, August 6, 2004
“In Mississauga, many followers of Islam are at a cultural crossroads of sorts. While the city's 44,000 Muslims continue to devote themselves to worship, many also yearn for events that cater to their religious beliefs in contemporary fashion.
Attempting to be both entertaining and enlightening, MuslimFest has been eight months in the making. The show celebrates the cultural aspects of the Muslim religion including art, music and film.”
MuslimFest was a First
Mississauga News, August 13-19, 2004
“The festival was a celebration of Muslim culture and the first cultural arts show of its kind in Canada.”
Canadian Muslims Open First Summer Festival
IslamOnline.net, August 8, 2004
“Canadian Muslims opened Saturday, August 7, their first summer festival in Toronto, showcasing Islamic art, music, film and culture during the daylong gala. The much-celebrated MuslimFest event has brought together thousands of visitors of all backgrounds and religions.
Children also got the lion’s share of the festival with display of several puppet shows and animation videos.
The event has been one year in planning and has been organized mainly by youths in the Toronto Muslim community”
MuslimFest 2004 A Success
The Ambition, September 2004
“On August 7, 2004 Muslims in Canada built a day long cultural bridge with their MuslimFest 2004. Muslims and non-Muslims from the greater Toronto area were not the only people in attendance, visitors traveled from as far as New York, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, Ottawa, and Detroit for this ground- breaking festival.”
“A buzz was in the air as ticket holders lined up and anticipated songs by Dawud Wharnsby Ali, Zain Bhikha, Irfan Makki and Jeewan Chanicka.”
MuslimFest at Living Arts Centre
Canadian Asian News, July 15-31, 2004
“The MuslimFest will bring amusement, awareness and skill-development for visitors of every age and culture through live concerts, a puppet show, exhibits, an art gallery, classes, career counseling, storytelling, and a bazaar.”
Display of Pak Artists’ Works in Canada
The News, July 31, 2004
“Eight senior artists from Pakistan have sent their paintings for display at Living Arts Centre, Mississauga; hence disclosing a senior artist, Qudsia Azmat Nisar, who is among the artists participating in the MuslimFest 2004. .
Muslim artists, musicians, and filmmakers are gathering in Mississauga, Canada to demonstrate to the people of the world that artistic cultural activities were very much in vogue in Muslim States.”
Pak Artists Off to Canada
The Nation, July 28, 2004
“Muslim Fest- 2004 is a cultural exhibition, a major event involving artists, musicians and film makers at the Living Arts Centre in Canada. It has invited artists from a number of Muslim states to show the world that Muslims in these countries are active in their cultural fields.”
Celebrating Islamic culture with art, comedy and puppets
North York Mirror, August, 10, 2005
“There is a side to Muslims in the Toronto area that they don't get to express on the nightly news - the fun side. That's why many young Muslims in Toronto have worked together to bring us stand-up comedy, a puppet show, calligraphy and concerts to the 2005 MuslimFest this Saturday at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.”
Muslim Fest; second year of Arts and Culture livens Toronto!
United Views, August 2005, Vol. 2 Issue 1
“Among the dignitaries there on last Sat 13th August 2005 were Imams, professionals in the Muslim community, NGO activists and many artists.”
Culture event aims for 'middle path'
Chris Clay, The Mississauga News, Aug 10, 2005
“Branded as too conservative by progressive Muslims and too progressive by conservative followers of the Islamic religion, the organizers of the second annual MuslimFest have learned you can't please everyone all the time...executive Ahmer Ali said organizers chose to walk a middle path again at this Saturday's event at the Living Arts Centre and included a little something for everyone.”
The 'ayatollah' of halal comedy
Aparita Bhandari, The Globe and Mail, August 9, 2005
"Nothing will stop the Allah Made Me Funny tour from unleashing its comedy on the world. Not even a fatwa."
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