LGBTQ+ charity group Imaan to hold UK's first Muslim pride festival

LGBTQ+ charity group Imaan to hold UK's first Muslim pride festival
While a venue has not been announced, a crowdfunding campaign has raised £10,000 to fund the event.
2 min read
12 February, 2020
The group posted a call out on Twitter for queer panel discussion speakers [Getty]
An LGBTQ+ Muslim support group will hold the UK's first ever Muslim Pride festival, according to Pink News.

UK-based charity Imaan made the announcement on social media last week.

"It's happening! We've set the date for the first EVER Muslim Pride event. Ticket go on sale in two weeks," the group said.

While a venue has not been announced, a crowdfunding campaign from within the LGBTQ+ community raised £10,000 in funds for the event, Pink News reported.

The group posted a call out on its Twitter account for "queer Arab speakers, well-being practioners and service providers" to take part in panel discussions during the event. 

"Often LGBTQI Muslims are caught in the middle of Islamophobia and homophobia, so we want to provide a safe and inclusive space where people feel like they do not have to choose between identities and that they can be LGBTQI and Muslim without pressure from those who say otherwise," the group said.

Imaan extended an invite to queer actress Jameela Jamil, who recently came out, and is of a half-Pakistani, Muslim background. 

The charity has previously linked a rise in hate crimes in the UK to protests against LGBTQ+ inclusive education, which were sparked in Birmingham's Muslim community.

"We are well aware of the intersection that we as LGBT Muslims are in and do our best to support those who are LGBT and of faith," the group said.

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