Mississauga Arabic Book Fair Highlights the Vitality of Arab Culture in Canada

By:Journalist Hossam Mokbel

At a time when grief and instability continue to weigh heavily on the Arab world, the Mississauga Arabic Book Fair, held from March 27 to 29, 2026 at the Palestinian House, offered a different kind of space, one built around books, dialogue, and the warmth of cultural connection. Over three days, the fair’s second edition reflected a growing sense of confidence and maturity, bringing together writers, publishers, media figures, and readers from across Canada in an atmosphere that felt both lively and deeply human.

One of the clearest features of this year’s edition was the visible presence of the people who gave the event its character. At the center of that presence was الأستاذ والأديب Abdullah Al-Khatib, the fair’s president, whose role added clear literary and human weight to the event. Alongside him, fair director Basma Takarouri stood out for the energy and care reflected in the organization, helping shape an environment that balanced structure with warmth and made room for a wide range of guests and participants.

Writer and critic Kamal Riahi also brought a notable intellectual presence to the fair through his visible engagement with the cultural program and his role in conversations and literary exchanges, adding depth to the overall experience. In the same spirit, Raghda Miqati’s moderation of the signing event for Tales from the Land of the Maple reflected thoughtful preparation and a serious engagement with the work itself, offering one of the fair’s more polished and memorable moments.

The event also featured a strong Montreal presence, with names including Hanaa El Ramly, Habiba Adeeb, Luluwa Abu Ramadan, and Ihab Latif, in addition to the participation of the long-established Middle East Bookstore, led by Caroline Eid, and Dar Al-Dokkan for Publishing and Distribution. This Montreal participation added real vitality to the fair and reinforced the sense that Arab cultural life in Canada is active across more than one city and shaped by a range of meaningful voices and initiatives.

Among the more memorable scenes at the fair was the literary companionship between Luluwa Abu Ramadan and Habiba Adeeb, whose presence side by side, along with their mutual support during signings and presentations, brought a gracious and human dimension to the event. The opening also carried an artistic touch through singer Maged Zarif, whose performance added warmth and emotional texture to the beginning of the fair.

Other names also helped widen the fair’s cultural and media reach, including Amal Fatayer, Mina Kirolos, and Montaser Montaser, each contributing in different ways to the event’s atmosphere and visibility. Their presence helped extend the fair’s impact beyond the venue itself and into a broader public conversation around Arab cultural life in Canada.

The audience, too, was part of what gave the fair its meaning. Readers moved between titles with real curiosity, while families searched for Arabic books for their children, reaffirming that Arabic books still find their readers and that cultural gatherings like this continue to serve an important role beyond book sales alone. They offer a space for language, identity, and community to meet in tangible ways.

In the end, this year’s Mississauga Arabic Book Fair was more than a literary event. It was a gathering shaped by recognizable names, sincere effort, and a cultural spirit that was felt throughout its three days. Between books, conversations, and the people who gave the fair its tone, the event offered a clear reminder that Arab cultural life in Canada remains active, connected, and capable of leaving an impression that lasts well beyond the closing day.