London to host the world's first ever Muslim Pride festival

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, London will soon play host to the world's firstever Muslim Pride event.

The event, which is set to take place on 11 April, is being organised by the UK's leading Muslim LGBTIQ+ charity Imaan, after the organisation raised over £10,000.

Imaan’s crowdfunding campaign statement read:

We as LGBTIQ+ Muslims often find ourselves isolated, without community and frequently facing homophobic, biphobic, transphobic AND Islamaphobic abuse.

The event will build on the incredible events we organised in the past and feature panels, discussions, speakers, arts, culture and history – a first for LGBTQI Muslims.

With tickets for Imaan Fest now available to members of the public, organisers are now using social media to reach queer Muslims who might like to get involved.

Speakers announced so far include writer and filmmaker Amrou Al-Kadhi, who said in a statement:

The media has tried to control the narrative about Queer Islamic identities for too long, often thrusting us into a horrific culture war, as if Islam is the mortal enemy of queer identity.

Imaan Fest, Muslim Pride is the perfect counter-narrative, revelling in the joys of queer Muslim identities, and giving us the chance to make our own space.

You can find out more information about Imaan Fest here.

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