MuslimFest celebrates the best in Muslim arts, entertainment, culture, and food. MuslimFest attracts over 10,000 people every year and MuslimFest 2009 marks our sixth year. Visitors enjoy live performances, savour flavours from around the world, and participate in cultural artistic workshops, while building bridges with their Muslim neighbours.

When MuslimFest started in 2004, there was nothing like it in North America. MuslimFest still maintains its uniqueness today by re-inventing the event annually while improving on its cornerstones. New performers, original show styles, innovative marketing campaigns, and constant expansion are only a few of the things that set us a part from other events in the community.

Many wonder why they should attend MuslimFest. Many now recognize that MuslimFest is not for Muslims only. Not only is MuslimFest the ideal place to find festive Muslims, but also it is the perfect place to interact and build bridges. Visitors can partake in a drumming circle, take a basic photography workshop, discover Arabic calligraphy, purchase ethnic clothing, and vote for People’s Choice Awards at our Art Exhibit and Film Festival. Kids can enjoy their time at the carnival and get artistic in kids-safe workshops. There is something for everyone to enjoy: young or old, male or female, Muslim or not!

MuslimFest growth in the past few years gave us unique brand recognition. Muslim community members in cities in Canada, the US, and the UK approach us to develop events in their communities. Artists approach us to help them with their product launches and distribution in Canada through our festival, MuslimFest, and multimedia production partner Sound Vision Canada. In 2008, MuslimFest put together a community stage presentation for Muslim youth at the largest conference for the Muslim community in Canada, the Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference in Toronto, attracting over 20,000 visitors.

Not only was art not on the top of the Muslim community priority list, but it was also shunned as a waste of time and a distraction. MuslimFest promotes art as a viable output for the creativity of Muslim youth. MuslimFest was the first to put Canadian Muslim talent on stage and exhibit art pieces by upcoming North American Muslim artists in Canada. Many found in MuslimFest, a Muslim art festival, a place to share their talent with the community without being judged for expressing themselves through art.

It was just recently that the community recognized the importance of art in the lives of Muslim youth and incorporated aspects of it in all major events. Through the support of many organizations, MuslimFest was able to show artists and the community that a form of art that is ingrained with moral values makes us better people.