Canada’s Regina Hosts First-Ever Halal Festival
The one-day event took place at the Darul Falah Islamic Centre with around ten local organizers overseeing the program. Booths ranged from clothing and Quran education to food stalls, which proved to be the main attraction, CTV News reported on Saturday.
Aasif Bulbulia, youth and community engagement officer at the centre, said the festival aimed to introduce Islam in a way that speaks to the local context while preserving traditions.
“I think what’s unique about this community is that in many ways, we are trying to figure out a mode of engaging Islam that can speak to this cultural context, without losing some of the things that we value from the places that we’ve come from,” he said.
Bulbulia, who moved from Johannesburg earlier this year, emphasized that the festival was also about countering misconceptions and promoting understanding. He warned of “deepening polarization” and noted that proactive efforts are needed to strengthen social bonds.
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Local vendors joined the initiative, with some using the event as an opportunity to connect with residents and highlight halal food practices. Organizers stressed that halal preparation involves prayer and ritual slaughter, distinguishing it from other methods.
Habib, a participant originally from Bangladesh, described the festival as “a big event” for first-time organizers and praised the efforts of volunteers. He said the hope was to both educate people on halal practices and celebrate community spirit.
With Regina’s Muslim population estimated at about 20,000, organizers said they hope the event becomes an annual tradition. Due to space constraints, they added that a larger venue may be considered in the future.
Source: Agencies
