Record-breaking crowd on opening day at MuslimFest

(August 1, 2015) – A record-breaking crowd turned out on Saturday, the opening day at North America’s premier Muslim festival, MuslimFest, being held at Mississauga Celebration Square. It was the largest opening-day attendance for the event which started 14 years ago.

The festival showcases the vibrant Canadian Muslim culture and runs until Sunday evening.

The event features local and international artists, concerts, stand-up comedy shows, workshops, films and documentaries, as well as a bustling bazaar.

“MuslimFest returns to Mississauga Celebration Square in its 14^th year and will attract 25,000 visitors and welcomes everyone,” said Sana Khawaja, Media Relations Officer of MuslimFest. “The essential role of art, based in traditional and contemporary interpretation of faith, is prevalent throughout the festival, and the event will showcase entertainment that is hundreds of years old but also retains a lineup of new performers ready to become household names.”

MuslimFest unofficially began on Friday, July 31st with the first-ever Canadian premier of American Sharia, a movie directed, produced and starring Omar Regan.

Throughout Saturday there were performances by various artists including Boonaa Mohammed, Dawud Wharnsby, Khalid Mehmood and Talibul Habib.

World-renowned Chinese Muslim calligrapher, Haji Noor Deen gave a fascinating demonstration on the main stage.

A ‘Comedy under the Stars’ session concluded the day with performances by Dean Obeidallah and Omar Regan.

Early in the day, there were screenings of the movies, ‘American Sharia’ and ‘Californian Muslims.’

There were also meet-and-greet sessions with YasTheSpaz and Karter Zaher and Jae Deen.

American Nasheed group, Native Deen, held a drumming workshop, Moez and Yusra held a song-writing session and Boonaa Mohammed ran a poetry session.

Attendees were able to have an international culinary experience in a bustling bazaar that featured merchants selling cultural clothes, interior design pieces and ornaments from across the world.

Children enjoyed many attractions including camel and carnival rides, a basketball tournament and an all-day arts and crafts tent.

Launched in 2004, MuslimFest is a joint initiative of DawaNet, Young Muslims Canada, and Sound Vision.

It aims to connect with the broader community through the language of art, humor, and meaningful entertainment.

In its first year in 2004, about 4,000 people attended the one-day festival. It has since been expanded to two days and moved to the city’s public outdoor square, Celebration Square, where it attracts more than 25,000 visitors each year.

The festival was chosen by Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) as one of the top 100 festivals in the province in 2013.