Although Islam is clear in its prohibition of homosexual acts, some British Muslims group “Imaan” are launching their first ever pride festival at a time when the community is ‘under attack more than ever’.
The festival plans to celebrate what it means to be LGTBQI and Muslim and how they do ‘not have to choose’ between both identities.
LGBTQI charity Imaan is putting on the event to mark the 20 years it’s spent supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Muslims. The show of solidarity follows ongoing anti-LGBT education protests outside primary schools in Birmingham.
To help put a stop to the mistreatment members of the community face and to also mark its 20th anniversary, the charity is planning to launch a unique festival that will celebrate people’s “unique identities and bring some joy into the world”.
Some Muslim parents understandably expressed outrage at relationship and sex education (RSE) being taught as part of the national Equality Act. Several parents launched a campaign against the educational materials, claiming it is an affront to their religious beliefs, specifically targeting the ‘No Outsiders’ programme and its creator Andrew Moffat.
Speaking to Metro, Anjum Mauj, a lesbian campaigner and a trustee at Imaan, said that while the charity is doing its best to supports LGBT+ Muslims, many still feel unable to come out, which is why a festival that gives marginalised people a voice is so important.
Mauj added that when she made the decision to marry her partner, her mother was “very upset about it” and refused to tell the rest of her Muslim community.
“I’ve grown up in a really loving and vibrant and inclusive community so it’s very painful to feel that I need to hide part of myself,” Mauj explained.
Imaan said it is turning to its wider friends and communities to make the event possible, by raising funds online.
The charity has launched a Crowdfunder page with a goal of raising £5,000 to make the festival a reality.
