EID MUBARAK! with Moosa from London Queer Muslims: A Gay Man in Ramadan.
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English - May 23, 2020 22:28 - 1 hour - 142 MBHealth & Fitness Society & Culture lgbt queer empowerment lesbian gay bisexual educate inspire sexual health hiv Homepage Download Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
When I first spoke with Moosa I made no secret if the fact that i knew very little about Islam, about Oman or about living as Queer Muslim, and that is why I was so pleased that he agreed to talk to me. Part of me felt embarrassed that I didn’t know more about the lives of my neighbours and colleagues, or the people I see on the street daily. I felt pretty ignorant, but Moosa was very kind and explained that he enjoyed how genuine I was and he handled my questions gracefully.
I was excited to learn more about Oman, about Islam and his experience of growing up Queer in a muslim country, but also how his perception have changed since moving to the UK. I thought that people like me, who have had little opportunity to engage in open conversations about Islam would feel massively enlightened by the conversation, but equally i felt that Muslim people, specifically Queer Muslims would be inspired by hearing an openly Gay Muslim man share his experience of balancing both parts of his identity and living a happy and fruitful life.
Moosa moved to the UK in 2008 to study in Aberdeen, before moving to Cardiff. After moving to London, Moosa founded London Queer Muslims in 2017 to challenge the dominant narratives about Queer Muslims. LQM, and Moosa do this “not by debating whether or not it is correct to be Muslim and Queer, but by actualising a post-debate space, where Islamic identity is agreed and accepted as something that is not at odds with Queerness.”
LQM's work support other Queer Muslim networks such as Hidayah, Imaan and Naz and Matt Foundation.
We recorded this at the beginning of Ramadan and I want to thank Moosa for giving up his time during such an important time of year for him and Muslim people worldwide.
Due to timing, it worked out that this would be released on Eid, at the of Ramadan and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a wonderfully warm, open and educational conversation with Moosa.
Eid Mubarak.
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