Muslim Literary Festival
Connecting Muslim writers with literary agents, acquiring editors, established authors, and industry professionals
Our Mission
Muslim Literary Festival (MLF) is a vibrant community hub where Muslim writers connect, collaborate, and learn from industry professionals. Our mission is to foster growth and provide valuable resources through education, advocacy, and outreach.
Founded in January 2024, MLF works to address the barriers that challenge Muslim writers, offering educational tools and networking opportunities. We aim to create a space for development and creative exploration, while challenging biases within the publishing industry.
Our Story
Narjis Sheikh
Pakistani American author
Executive Director and Founder of MLF
“As a BIPOC Muslim author, most doors were closed due to my faith or my skin color.”
I chased opportunities to learn how to succeed in the writing industry. Attended all the workshops and came up empty-handed. No one answered the specific questions I had for my Muslim characters living in the West.
That’s how the idea of the Muslim Literary Festival was born.
One day, I came home and wrote in my journal
What if there was
A community that fit us all
A safe space that recognizes and appreciates our religious and cultural heritage and diversity
A writing environment that supports me and helps me find my true voice
“What if I started a Muslim Literary festival?”
But it takes a village…
Through help and guidance from my Muslim and writing community, I found Sheeza.
“I wanted there to be more spaces for Muslim authors, because our stories are not the same. We are so different, our stories so complex and rich.”
In Delhi, India, a storyteller would stand under the only street lamp, surrounded by children who eagerly listened to her stories. My grandmother was one of them, passing those stories to my mom, then to me. I felt the responsibility to share these stories with the world, to keep our stories alive for generations.
When Narjis told me about MLF, I knew…
“Of course we needed MLF to exist, the writing industry must see the huge unexplored potential Muslim writers are offering.”
I joined in a blink of an eye
And
For the first time, I belonged as a writer
I wasn’t squeezing myself into a space that’s overlooking who I am
I am home…
Sheeza Iqbal
Pakistani-Canadian author
Director of Outreach and Grants
Isbah Barlas
Chair, Board of Directors
“I am here to empower our community of writers.”
Born to a Shia Muslim father and a Sunni Muslim mother, my connection with writing was the two pieces I wrote about our unique home and my experience as a young Muslim woman who faced divorce.
But…
When Narjis’s eyes lit up speaking of MLF and I tagged along after brunch & chai to view the venue for MLF in Downtown Toronto…
It only took Narjis to say “Hey, we need someone with impressive experience in non-profit like you.”
I said yes and the rest is history.