Profile: The Gay Muslims

Confronting Islamophobia UK LGBT Muslim leader Farazana talks about popular misconceptions.


With the Faith and Homophobia conference fast approaching, to be held on February 17th 2007 in London, GAY.COM takes a look at a growing trend of LGBT religious and spirituality groups. With recent news focussing on the ever-present conflict between the gays and God, highlighting the need for gay interfaith dialogue, The Faith and Homophobia conference couldn’t be timelier.

“There is nothing that says you must be heterosexual to be a Muslim or that you need to be a terrorist. Strangely a lot of people are a bit confused about those points.” – Farzana, Chair and co-founder of IMAAN, the UK LGBT Muslims

These days it seems that everyone has something to say about The Muslims.

And there's even more to say about the Gay Muslims, who to the casual observer may seem particularly self-hating - in light of violence-preaching Imams (some fanatic ones who preach the death of gays) displayed in popular British media.

While some Muslim leaders are quick to condemn homosexuality, this group has admirably stood defiant and stayed together, and deserve respect for managing to embrace a religion which publicly rejects them.

The Gay and Lesbian Muslims, however, have acquired a somewhat precarious reputation among the gay community - most notably baffling gay parade-goers in 2005 when they appeared on a London Pride float, hiding their identities.


Imaan at London Pride 2005


Imaan at Europride 2006

Farzana, whose surname remains anonymous, chair and co-founder of Imaan, spoke to GAY.COM about their practices, problems, and plans.

How did your organisation come about?

We started in Sept 1998 - which means we celebrate our tenth anniversary next year! We were brought together by an advert in the Pink Paper. A group of us, strangers to each other at the time, met up and formed the group. We've been going strong ever since, we hold monthly meetings, international conferences, religous celebrations, social events, run a web forum, mailing list and more besides.

Are there conflicts between doctrine of your religion and your personal practices?

Islam teaches a great many things like respect, justice, kindness, charity, empathy, humility, faith and so on. Like any religion some things are easier to follow than others. It depends on the individual.

What are the basic tenants of your faith?

Were you not listening during your R.E. lessons? Seriously though, there are five pillars of Islam that you must follow in order to be considered a Muslim.

The Shahada or declaration of faith that there is one God and His name is Allah and that Mohaamed is His messenger
Sawm - or Fasting during the month of Ramadan
Salaat - or regular prayers
Zakaat - Charity
Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime if you are able

Note: there is nothing in the above that says you must be heterosexual to be a Muslim or that you need to be a terrorist. Strangely a lot of people are a bit confused about those points.

How do members benefit from your organisation?

Primarily by knowing that there are other LGBT Muslims around and that indeed we are a growing community. When I first help start the group I was in shock at meeting so many others. These days it’s odd to see new members so blasé about it. How times have changed.

What impact does your organisation have on the larger Muslim community?

The wider Muslim community is growing increasingly aware of our existence. Most are shocked or surprised, and we have had a lot of negative attention. However we have also had a lot of support as well.

We have made tentative steps to gauge the possibility of working with mainstream Muslim organisations through talking to various influential individuals. It’s not something that will happen over night but Inshallah (God Willing) it will happen.

What about the larger gay community?

It's a mixture of abuse and support. The abuse goes up whenever Muslims get bad press, so for example at London Pride the other year we had gay people and a Pride steward likening us to terrorists.

Some other gay campaigners don't realise or don't care that they insult us by insulting Islam and other Muslims. We have had running battles with people like Outrage! the Lesbian and Gay Humanist Association and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.

Imams? Do you get any support from them?

We have the support of a couple of Imams and they are a great help to our members in understanding the true nature of Islam and the differences between it and cultural practices.

The combination of sexuality and religion seems really tricky…and rather depressing. Do you guys have a laugh?? Talk about social atmosphere.

Personally speaking, the people that I've met through Imaan are some of the funniest most self-deprecating people I've ever come across. There is a lot to be said for sharing the same religious upbringing and family experiences, languages and culture.

It is like laughing though adversity. I would hate for people to think we are all doom and gloom because we are in a very sensitive position. In fact I remember one time after being verbally abused by some lovely anti-Muslim gay campaigners, one of them said to me: Why are you always smiling even when you're being attacked? What could I answer? What do you want me to do, cry?

I do find a lot of the arguments and attacks quite funny. It helps to have a sense of humour. But yes, Imaan is a very social, close and supportive community.

Aren’t gay culture and religion immediately at odds with each other?

I think gay culture is at odds with many gay people's lifestyles. There does seem to be an overwhelming oppressive feeling that drugs, casual sex and booze define popular gay culture. There is, however, more out there that I wish was more publicised, especially for younger people first coming out on the scene.

Will Imann be participating in The Faith and Homophobia conference?

Unfortunately Imaan has not had positive experiences in dealings with the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, organisers of the conference, so instead we are focusing on more positive endeavours for the benefit of our growing LGBT Muslim community.

For more information about IMAAN, visit their website here

Also this blog from Gay Muslim makes for a interesting read..

The Faith and Homophobia conference will take place at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green Road on Saturday, February 17, 2007. Click on the links below to find out more and register.

Click here for a detailed programme of events.