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Zarqa Nawaz

Zarqa Nawaz created the world's first sitcom about a Muslim community living in the west. Little Mosque on the Prairie premiered to record ratings on the CBC in 2007. She also made the documentary Me and the Mosque in 2014 and penned an autobiographical collection of stories called Laughing All The Way to the Mosque. She worked for CBC in various capacities, including stints as the host of CBC Radio’s The Morning Edition and host of CBC Saskatchewan’s six o’clock news.

    Latest from Zarqa Nawaz

    Point of View

    Islamophobia may finally be getting the attention it needs

    As a student, Zarqa Nawaz made a short comedic film trying to bring attention to Islamophobia. Twenty-five years later, although rattled by the shootings in New Zealand mosques, Nawaz thinks the conversation is shifting.
    Canada Saskatchewan
    Comedy

    Why do women still shoulder the bulk of the criticism — and responsibility — for a dirty house?

    Women are making more strides in our careers than any other time in history. We can lead nations, run corporations, earn a percentage of every dollar a man makes, but we are still responsible for hiring a cleaner and taking the blame when the said cleaner isn't cleaning.
    Canada Saskatchewan
    Point of View

    Being Muslim at Christmas means enjoying all the festivity without the stress

    Zarqa Nawaz loves Christmas. She loves the music, the malls, the treats at work. She loves Christmas because she doesn't celebrate it. She's Muslim.
    Canada Saskatchewan
    Point of View

    'Good evening, I'm Zarqa Nawaz': The wonder and challenge of news anchoring as my 1st full-time job

    As a journalism student, Zarqa Nawaz was told she'd never get on air. Decades later, she became CBC Saskatchewan's TV news anchor.
    Canada Saskatchewan

    Excerpt: Laughing All the Way to the Mosque

    Zarqa Nawaz is the creator of the CBC Television show Little Mosque on the Prairie. But before Little Mosque fame, Zarqa was a single young woman, living at home. Then, her extended family went on a mission: Find Zarqa a Husband.
    Radio Tapestry