Read Between the Lines: How 400+ Torontonians Turned a Night of Storytelling Into a Movement for Gaza
On the evening of June 20th 2026, the halls of the Toronto Reference Library — one of the most iconic public buildings in the country — filled with something rare: 400+ people gathered not for entertainment, but for truth-telling in service of a cause bigger than any one of them.
Read Between the Lines: Narratives, Power & Resistance united globally acclaimed journalists, writers, scholars, and activists for an extraordinary event that seamlessly blended rigorous discussion, literary honor, and an urgent humanitarian plea — with all efforts benefiting Penny Appeal Canada’s Gaza Emergency Response.
An Elite Panel, One Urgent Conversation
The event featured an exceptional gathering of leading journalists, scholars, and advocates:
- Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui — sociologist, professor, and DEI expert
- Dr. Myriam François — Al Jazeera journalist, filmmaker, and host of The Tea with Myriam Francois
- Aaron Maté — host of Pushback on The Grayzone and contributor to The Nation
- Abby Martin — investigative journalist and director of the 2026 documentary Earth’s Greatest Enemy
- Noora Sharrab — Palestinian-Canadian social entrepreneur and co-founder of Sitti
- Fawad Kalsi — CEO of Penny Appeal Canada and former Imam of the Langley Islamic Centre
- Mark Strong — moderator, radio host, and Community Ambassador for Penny Appeal Canada
Together, they examined the intersection of media, identity, power, and resistance and didn’t shy away from the hard questions: how the world consumes and distorts stories about Palestine, and what it costs individuals and institutions to tell the truth anyway.
At one point, the room rose together in a chant of “Gaza” that echoed through one of Canada’s largest public buildings & a standing ovation to welcome the changemakers onto the stage.
The Perfect Setting for a Night Like This
The choice of venue was every bit as intentional as the conversation itself. The Toronto Reference Library isn’t just the largest and most visited branch in the Toronto Public Library system. We didn’t pick the Toronto Reference Library by accident — the venue, along with the overall look and feel of the night, was chosen and shaped by our event production team at Collective Hour. The building is famous for its soaring, tiered atrium, inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, where cascading water features, skylights, and greenery wrap around five open floors of stacked history and knowledge.
Sitting at the corner of Yonge and Bloor, right in the heart of downtown Toronto, the library was a historic, beautiful backdrop worthy of the conversation happening beneath its atrium and perfect for a book launch.
A Book Launch With Purpose
The evening doubled as the very first public launch of DEI Undone: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui and Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad, signed by both authors on site. The book takes a hard look at how DEI has drifted from its radical, grassroots roots into a corporatized industry — and what it really means to speak out for justice, including on Palestine, in today’s political climate. Every general admission ticket included a free copy, and VIP guests were welcomed into an exclusive Meet & Greet with all four panelists ahead of the main program.
Turning a Room Into Relief
This wasn’t just a night of words, it was a night of action. Every ticket sold and every dollar raised through the evening’s live fundraising session went directly toward Penny Appeal Canada’s Gaza Emergency Response: urgent medical care and life-saving surgeries, food assistance, essential supplies, and support for displaced families and vulnerable children.
None of it would have been possible without the volunteers who carried the mission out on the ground — the quiet engine behind every registration, every seat filled, and every guest welcomed through the doors.
As one reflection from the evening put it: our Ummah is one body, and when one part hurts, all of us should feel it.
Built by a Community of Partners
Read Between the Lines came together through a genuine coalition of organizations and brands who believe in the cause:
one of the country’s most respected international humanitarian and development organizations, lent its support to a cause it has long championed: dignity, relief, and justice for communities facing crisis.
a media and lifestyle brand built for the Muslim community, helped bring energy and visibility to the evening as part of its ongoing mission to spotlight stories, causes, and experiences that matter to Muslims around the world.
the social enterprise behind our featured speaker Noora Sharrab, makes handmade, all-natural olive oil soap rooted in Palestinian tradition, crafted by refugee women artisans in Jordan as a source of fair-wage employment and dignity. Their presence on-site was a beautiful, tangible extension of the evening’s message.
brought pure fun to the night. Guests were treated to a modern photo booth, complete with 15+ photo experiences and 9 branding options. Crafting enjoyable events since 2014, Snaptique has become one of the top photo booth rental companies in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver — and their booth was a highlight for attendees looking to capture the evening. Thank you, Snaptique, for the incredible (and completely sponsored!) addition to the night.
a Toronto-based boutique event production and consultancy agency, led the production of the evening from the ground up — from design, to speaker logistics, vendor coordination, and a run of show that kept a 400-person crowd moving smoothly from doors to the live fundraising ask.
A Night That Won’t Be Forgotten
400+ guests. Seven extraordinary voices. One unified message. Read Between the Lines proved that when a community shows up to listen, to learn, and to give a single evening at the library can ripple outward into real, tangible relief for families facing the unimaginable.
To everyone who bought a ticket, raised their voice, signed a book, or gave their time as a volunteer: thank you. This is what turning awareness into action looks like.
Interested in supporting Penny Appeal Canada’s Gaza Emergency Response or getting involved in future events like this one? Reach out to our team to learn how you can help.
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