📬 Issue 13 — Here’s what’s inside:
Teens racing down the colourful lanes of the iconic Euroslide at the CNE Midway in Toronto, Ontario | Photo by Frederick Wallace.
👋🏽 Ahlan / Hello
khamsa turns 3 months old this week! 🥳
If you’ve been here since issue #1, you’ve probably noticed small tweaks along the way, but always with the same focus: shining a light on Arabic-rooted events organized for and by our community in Toronto.
I think we’ve landed on a format that feels balanced now. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether this is your very first khamsa issue 🎊 or your 13th 🧿.
To make it easier, I’m adding a weekly vibe check at the end of the newsletter. It’s a simple 5-point poll with space to share more if you’d like. Some of you I’ve been lucky enough to meet at events I’ve listed here, but many weeks writing khamsa feels like a solo journey. Your feedback really helps me feel connected and it shapes what this newsletter can grow into.
Nassar
Chief Culture Guide — khamsa🖐🏽
🖋️ Arabic Calligraphy Workshop by Omar Uddin
Discover the art of Arabic calligraphy in this 8-week Thuluth Script workshop with master instructor Omar Uddin—open to all levels!
Choose in-person ($395) or online ($197), and create your own stunning project. Sign up by September 30!
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🎤 Laugh It Forward: Comedy Fundraiser for Glia Equal Care
Get ready for a night of big laughs and plenty of heart at this in-person comedy show—enjoy a stellar lineup as you support Glia Equal Care’s crucial medical work in Gaza.
🌟 Local Toronto comedians
💬 English
🗓️ Thursday, September 11 · Doors 7:00 pm, Show 7:30 pm
📍 Society Clubhouse, 967 College Street, Toronto, ON M6H 1A6
🎟️ Paid ticket
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🎬 TIFF 50: Eagles of the Republic
Step into the glitzy but treacherous world of Cairo’s film and power circles, where a beloved Egyptian actor is forced into a regime-backed movie—and quickly finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of politics, secrets, and desire. This gripping thriller from Tarik Saleh (The Nile Hilton Incident) blends sharp social commentary with striking drama for a must-see at TIFF.
🌟 Starring Fares Fares, with Amr Waked & Zineb Triki | Directed by Tarik Saleh
💬 Egyptian Arabic (with English subtitles)
🗓️ Multiple days: Friday, Sept 12 | Saturday, Sept 13 | Sunday, Sept 14
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M6
🎟️ Paid ticket
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
This vibrant exhibition by Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj spotlights Arab women defying stereotypes through sports, blending fashion, sport, and pop art to celebrate identity, strength, and style. Hajjaj’s lively portraits, adorned with North African-inspired borders, invite viewers to reconsider assumptions and embrace the multiplicity of Muslim womanhood.
🌟 Hassan Hajjaj
💬 English / French / Arabic (primarily visual, minimal text)
🗓️ September 13, 2025 – May 31, 2026
📍 Aga Khan Park, Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto, ON M3C 1K1
🎟️ Public Event
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🎶 Love in the Time of Shadia and Layla Murad
Step into a magical evening in Markham celebrating two legends of Arabic music, Shadia and Layla Murad, brought to life through stories of love, longing, and nostalgia by “Sounds from Damascus” and special guests.
🌟 Sounds from Damascus: Ruba Zouzou, Tamadur Alkhatib, Nour Khedder, and special guest Hadia Kamal
💬 Arabic
🗓️ Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 7:30 – 9:30pm
📍 Peoples Theatre for the Performing Arts, 22 Esna Park Dr, Markham, ON L3R 1E1
🎟️ Paid ticket
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🎶 Polarise Music Awards 2025
The Polarise Music Awards shine a spotlight on the year's most groundbreaking Canadian music, with electrifying performances and big surprises in store. This year, Toronto’s own Mustafa and Nemahsis—two of the city’s Arabic-speaking stars—are award nominees, representing their roots and the future of Canadian music.
🌟 Mustafa, Nemahsis, and more award nominees
💬 English
🗓️ Thursday, Sept 18, 2025 · Doors 7:00 pm, Awards Show 8:00 pm
📍 Massey Hall, Toronto
🎟️ Paid ticket
🗓️ Full List of This Week’s Events
Thursday, September 11
🎤 Nemr: Extremely Unextremist
Legendary Lebanese-American comedian brings sharp, fearless stand-up to Toronto.
📍 Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Thur, Sept 11, 7:00 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎤 Laugh It Forward: Comedy Fundraiser for Glia Equal Care
A night of stand-up featuring Toronto comics, raising funds for medical aid in Gaza.📍 Society Clubhouse, Toronto | 🗓️ Thur, Sept 11, 7:30 pm | 🎟️ Fundraiser
Friday, September 12
🎬 TIFF 50: Palestine 36
A sweeping historical drama set in 1930s Palestine under British rule, following the lives of everyday people at a turning point in history, directed by Annemarie Jacir.
📍 TIFF Lightbox, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 11:15 am | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: Bouchra
3D-animated feature exploring mother-daughter bonds and queer identity, set between Morocco and New York.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 3:00 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: Calle Málaga
A heartwarming, gentle drama about a senior woman resisting pressure to sell her longtime Tangier home, finding support in her vibrant community as she reclaims both her independence and her most cherished belongings.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 3:15 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: Eagles of the Republic
Political thriller set in Cairo’s film world, from director Tarik Saleh.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 6:30 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: The President's Cake
Heartfelt Iraqi drama about a young girl tasked with baking a cake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday, and her struggle to survive with her grandmother under sanctions and scarcity.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 6:45 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🇵🇸 Dabke Fundraiser
Learn & dance Dabke for a cause with ShikShook and Queer Muslim Network; all proceeds go to families in Palestine.
📍 Luna Studios, East York | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 7:00–10:00 pm | 🎟️ Fundraiser
🎶 HOUSE HAFLA // Electronic Night Series
Dance night blending house, disco, global club, and live Arabic keys, featuring DJs and performers from Toronto’s vibrant scene.
📍 Cafeteria, Toronto | 🗓️ Fri, Sept 12, 10:00 pm–3:00 am | 🎟️ Paid ticket
Saturday, September 13
🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
Vibrant photo series blending sport, fashion, and identity, celebrating Arab women’s strength and style by acclaimed Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
📍 Aga Khan Park, Toronto | 🗓️ Sat, Sept 13, 2025, 8:00am – 10:00pm | 🎟️ Public event
✍🏾 Arabic Calligraphy Classes
Weekly sessions exploring the beauty and tradition of Arabic calligraphy.
📍 BookBridge Bookstore, Etobicoke | 🗓️ Saturdays, 2 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: Eagles of the Republic
Political thriller set in Cairo’s film world, from director Tarik Saleh.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Sat, Sept 13, 5:45 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🧺 Arab Hangouts: Bonfire & Picnic
Chill by the lakeside with music, snacks, and stories at this cozy bonfire night.
📍 Marie Curtis Park East Beach, Etobicoke | 🗓️ Sat, Sept 13, 7:00 pm | 🎟️ RSVP
🎬 TIFF 50: The Voice of Hind Rajab
Award-winning Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania blends real call recordings and moving performances to tell the true story of a young Palestinian girl trapped during the conflict in Gaza.
📍 TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto | 🗓️ Sat, Sept 13, 9:30 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
Sunday, September 14
🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
Vibrant photo series blending sport, fashion, and identity, celebrating Arab women’s strength and style by acclaimed Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
📍 Aga Khan Park, Toronto | 🗓️ Sun, Sept 13, 2025, 8:00am – 10:00pm | 🎟️ Public event
🎶 Reeds Vol.2
Music and poetry night marking the anniversary of Zico’s first poetry collection, with live music, readings, and fundraising for Gaza.
📍 918 Bathurst Centre, Toronto | 🗓️ Sun, Sept 14, 6:00 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎶 Love in the Time of Shadia and Layla Murad
An enchanting night honouring Arabic music icons with live performances and stories.
📍 Peoples Theatre for the Performing Arts, Markham | 🗓️ Sun, Sept 14, 7:30 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎶 CABARET: The Dancing Djinn
Toronto debut of a dazzling cabaret with live Arabesque music, drag, and bellydance.
📍 Lula Lounge, Toronto | 🗓️ Sun, Sept 14, 8:00 | 🎟️ Paid ticket
🎬 TIFF 50: Eagles of the Republic
Political thriller set in Cairo’s film world, from director Tarik Saleh.
📍 Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto | 🗓️ Sun, Sept 14, 9:00 am | 🎟️ Paid ticket
Monday, September 15
.🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
Vibrant photo series blending sport, fashion, and identity, celebrating Arab women’s strength and style by acclaimed Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
📍 Aga Khan Park, Toronto | 🗓️ Mon, Sept 13, 2025, 8:00am – 10:00pm | 🎟️ Public event
Tuesday, September 16
🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
Vibrant photo series blending sport, fashion, and identity, celebrating Arab women’s strength and style by acclaimed Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
📍 Aga Khan Park, Toronto | 🗓️ Tue, Sept 13, 8:00am – 10:00pm | 🎟️ Public event
🎶 Polarise Music Awards 2025
Major music awards with live sets from Toronto’s Arabic-speaking stars Mustafa and Nemahsis.
📍 Massey Hall, Toronto | 🗓️ Tue, Sept 16, 8:00 pm | 🎟️ Paid ticket
Wednesday, September 17
🖼️ Hassan Hajjaj: The Arab Women’s Gym Exhibition
Vibrant photo series blending sport, fashion, and identity, celebrating Arab women’s strength and style by acclaimed Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
📍 Aga Khan Park, Toronto | 🗓️ Wed, Sept 13, 8:00am – 10:00pm | 🎟️ Public event
🧵 Tatreez Circle
A cozy weekly embroidery meet-up for all skill levels; bring your materials and join the stitching fun.
📍 Starving Artist - Runnymede Rd, Toronto | 🗓️ Sept 17, 6:00 pm | 🎟️ $5 donation
🌡️ Weekly Vibes Check
That’s it for this week.
❌ Spotted an error or want your events added in future issues? I’ll take care of it right away. Just email me.