Top artists to showcase Canada’s Largest Muslim Festival
Some top international performing artists will headline North America’s premier Muslim festival in Toronto this weekend.
More than 50 artists are on tap to perform at the 9th Annual MuslimFest on Saturday, Sep. 1st and Sunday, Sep. 2nd, at the Mississauga Celebration Square.
They include Canadian artists Irfan Makki, Tom Vandenberg and Dawud Wharnsby, alongside internationally-renowned artists Junaid Jamshed from Pakistan, Baba Ali and Raef from the U.S. and Zain Bikha from South Africa.
“MuslimFest celebrates the best of Muslim art, culture and entertainment with a greater goal of bridging the gap between the Muslim community and our neighbors in Canada,” according to festival organizers.
Festival goers can enjoy a full program that includes on-stage performances, film screenings, workshops and exhibits.
There will be a bazaar, food vendors and rides for kids.
“In our first year in 2004 at the Living Arts Centre, about 4,000 people attended the one-day festival,” said event director Amer Meknas told Mississauga News. “This year we’re expecting more than 15,000 over two days.”
Junaid Jamshed, Dawud Wharnsby and Naif Al Mutawa, the creator of THE 99, the first Muslim-inspired comic book series, are among the artists speaking at a special event on Friday at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s campus. The program will be take place from 8 to 9:45 p.m. in the CCT building on the campus.
MuslimFest hours are noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Further information at www.muslimfest.com
