Zarqa Nawaz, the creator of the Canadian sitcom *Little Mosque on the Prairie*, has turned to theatre with her newest work, *Mosque Heist*, which is currently running at the Globe Theatre in Regina until Oct. 18. The play marks Nawaz’s debut in theatrical performance and storytelling, moving beyond her established career in television comedy and memoir writing.
Set on the holiest night of Ramadan, *Mosque Heist* follows Kareema, a caterer who finds herself in dire straits when her husband falls into debt with a dangerous loan shark. Facing limited options, Kareema resorts to an audacious plan to raise a large sum of money, setting off the central conflict of the story. Nawaz describes the play as a dark comedy that explores the tension between sacred tradition and desperate circumstance, underscored by the night’s religious significance—Laylat al-Qadr, the most important night in Islam, when Muslims pray through the night and mosques typically hold their most significant fundraising events.
Originally conceived as a television project, the idea for *Mosque Heist* evolved into a 90-minute stage play after plans for the series fell through. Nawaz credits the Globe Theatre’s artistic director, Jennifer Brewin, for quickly embracing the project; following a submission in January 2026, the production was staged by September. Nawaz also noted that the immediacy of theatre, with live audience feedback and the ability to adjust performances in real time, has been a striking difference from the television industry, where audience reactions are often delayed and production timelines are more rigid.
Performing in the round, with audiences seated on all sides, posed an additional challenge for Nawaz, who had not previously acted in theatre. She commented on the demands of memorizing movement and projecting her voice to ensure engagement with all sections of the audience.
*Mosque Heist* continues Nawaz’s exploration of Muslim life and identity in Canada, a theme central to *Little Mosque on the Prairie*, which aired from 2007 to 2012. Nawaz reflected on the mixed reception the sitcom received from Canadian Muslim communities at the time, recalling skepticism and concern about representation and misunderstanding of Islamic culture. She described personal consequences, including tension within her local mosque community, which led her to temporarily withdraw her membership. However, she indicated that attitudes have evolved, with local Muslim leaders now supporting her new theatrical venture, even promoting it within their networks.
By integrating humor and cultural insight, Nawaz’s *Mosque Heist* seeks to challenge perceptions while respecting the faith it portrays. Through this new medium and narrative, she continues to contribute to the conversation about multiculturalism and religious diversity in Canada.