First launched in 2007 by a group of Muslim students at the University of Alberta, the Mosquers, a combination of Muslim and Oscars, still works 14 years on to combat misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

“It’s generally a celebration of Muslim creatives and art,” said Yasir Iqbal, the festival’s outreach director.

“Filmmakers use our festival to discuss and share their films and narratives that they feel like might be underrepresented in traditional media or social media,” Iqbal said.

For the 2023 event, over 1,000 films were submitted from all over the world, with eight being selected as finalists to be screened throughout the weekend.

According to Iqbal, the event welcomes everyone, Muslim or not. It also features a combination of universal and Muslim-specific themes across genres.

The film festival comes as Canada marks the annual Muslim Heritage Month in October.

Every October, Canadian Muslims mark Islamic Heritage Month with events to celebrate and educate about the rich Muslim heritage.

The IHMC Theme for 2023 was “Celebrating Muslim Women in the Arts & Sciences”.

It aimed to honor the historical contributions of Muslim women through the ages and their influence on the progress of the Arts, Sciences, and Society.

Read more at: AboutIslam.net

“The most dangerous challenge facing Christians and Muslims is a misconception, misunderstanding, how to deal with the other. You have to listen to others,” Imam Nasser Ibrahim of Al-Rashid Mosque, told Catholic Register on September 11.

Canadian Muslims and Catholics cooperate in different fields like education, social services, housing, refugee settlement, and social justice. Yet, there are new calls on both sides to do more than sharing social issues but to understand each other in a deeper way.

The ‘Meet&Greet’ event, held on August 28, was preceded by a visit to Al-Rashid Mosque from Archbishop Richard Smith in 2017. During the new event, Smith spoke with leaders of multiple Muslim branches in St. Albert, the historical heart of Catholicism in Alberta. The event included a tour of the Mission Hill site, including Mary’s Grotto and the cemetery where many Oblate missionaries are buried. Smith has previously hosted a gathering of Muslim leaders at his home following the January 2017 shootings at the Quebec mosque as a reminder of their shared values and trust.

“My hope is to celebrate decades of understanding between the Archdiocese of Edmonton and the Muslim community with women and youth projects that strengthen and give back to all communities,” said Dr. Nahla Gomaa, a member of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities, a coalition of 12 faith-based organizations.

Source: aboutislam.net

Date: September 09, 2017

Venue: Winspear Centre, Edmonton, AB T5J 4X8, Canada

Submissions Deadline: August 7, 2017

The Mosquers Film Festival is North America’s leading film competition with a focus on promoting awareness and education of current issues related to Muslims and the Islamic faith. We are calling for submissions for the 2017 season. The Mosquers is open to all filmmakers in North America and across the globe. Film entries from any genre are accepted.

This year, the award categories include: Best Picture ($2000), Best in Cinematography and Sound ($1000), Best Performance ($1000), and People’s Choice Award ($1000). A new category highlighting Albertan filmmakers has also been introduced – The Larry Shaben Award ($500). The Award Show will be taking place at the Winspear Centre on September 9th, 2017 with featured comedian Jeremy McLellan. Shortlisted films will be screened in front of over 1000 guests in attendance.

The Mosquers Film Festival is a short film competition that aims to educate, entertain and build bridges through showcasing the diverse Muslim experience. The Mosquers Film Festival Foundation (The Mosquers) was formed in 2006 to create a long-term proactive plan to counter the media stereotypes of Muslims and the Islamic faith. Since then The Mosquers has become a recognizable organization in Canada and continues to attract increasing interest internationally. The evening comprises a red carpet ceremony, screening of the short film finalists, a feature entertainment portion, and the awards presentation. The evening ends off with a mixer where attendees and participants have a chance to network in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

The film submission deadline is August 7, 2017. More detailed information about the submission guidelines are available on our website here

Source: The Muslim Link

“No Canadian should be afraid to go to their house of worship to pray,” Yael Splansky, the rabbi behind the effort to set up “rings of peace” around Toronto mosques told the Canadian Press. “It’s a terrifying scene. Imagine people of faith going to pray in peace, to pray for peace, and to be at risk. Houses of worship are sacred and must be protected.” Hundreds of people in Toronto – many of them belonging to local synagogues, churches and temples – stood shoulder-to-shoulder outside seven of the city’s mosques on Friday during midday prayers. In Ottawa and Edmonton, similar “rings of peace” were set up around local mosques.

The idea was inspired by a group of Muslims in Oslo, said Splansky. In 2015, as Jewish communities across Europe were reeling from antisemitic attacks in France and Denmark, Muslims organised to stand guard around the synagogue in Oslo while those inside offered Sabbath prayers. In Newfoundland on Friday, hundreds gathered to form a “human shield” to protect Muslims at the province’s only mosque in St John’s. Speaking to the crowd, Syed Pirzada of the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador said the Muslim community had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support they had received in recent days.

“Although this tragedy has taken irreparable toll on Muslims across the country, the kindness and generosity of fellow Canadians has been a great source of comfort,” said Pirzada. “Canada has spoken: no to hate, no to bigotry, no to religious violence, no to intolerance.” Thousands across Canada have come together to condemn the actions of a gunman who walked into a mosque in Quebec City on Sunday and opened fire, killing six people and injuring another 19. Two remain in critical condition. The attack has been described by the country’s prime minister as an act of terror.

Funerals were held this week in Quebec City and Montreal for the six victims. Thousands turned up to pay tribute to the men – remembering them as devoted fathers who dreamed of giving their children a bright future in Canada.

“It is with a heavy heart that we come together this afternoon to grieve the loss of these innocent lives,” Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, said at the funeral in Montreal on Thursday. “But as a community, as a country, together we will rise from this darkness stronger and more unified than ever before – that is who we are.”

Source: The Guardian