In an interview with Hayat Life’s Managing Editor Maha Qadri, social justice advocates Zoya Khan and Sirajum S. discuss the reconciliation between the Queer and Muslim identities, both their journeys of such, and why it is important to create safe spaces and build communities for those who identify as both queer and Muslim.
Over the past few years, Khan and Sirajum have strived to create a community for those who identify as both queer and Muslim.
Qadri: What made the two of you want to start this group? Whose brainchild was this?
Sirajum: In 2021, I created a social media page to find other queer Muslims in New York and have them come together. I wanted to challenge this belief that those two identities did not go together. When I moved back to New York after attending college, I discovered how prevalent it is that both queer and brown folks can be insensitive and racist, so the intention to create a space for those who shared similar values with myself became very important to me; I had not found a space like that elsewhere.
Khan: I had also wondered where the spaces were for people like us. I wanted an obnoxious amount of space for us, such as white queers often have in places like bars, for instance. I had never really felt welcomed in those places and felt as though I had to act in my queerness. Additionally, navigating Islam while being out was also difficult for me. I wanted to be surrounded by people going through similar journeys as I did so that we could be a family and support one another. I got connected with Sirajum back in 2021 on social media and through our similar beliefs and shared desire to create these spaces.
Sirajum: What we have also not found in all of these other third spaces is this simultaneous nurturing of conflicts, conflicts, emotions, and everything else that we all are carrying. We have ups and downs within our relationships with romantic partners, queerness, and even with Islam. We want to hone that sense of honesty and create a space for those things to be expressed, and harm reduction is also at the forefront of our minds.
The Path of Reconciling Queerness and Religious Faith
Qadri: How has your queerness specifically impacted your faith and how you practice religion? Has it possibly even damaged that?
Sirajum: I came upon my queerness as I was looking further into Islam. I was taking courses on Islam in school and was studying gender and sexuality, and it very much was like another revelation from God. It felt like it brought me closer to God. It made every aspect of my spiritual practice more intentional because I was no longer just doing what I was taught to do growing up, rather, it felt like a decision I was actively making to believe in Allah. It was not just because I was born in a Muslim household or had Muslim friends. It felt like I was actively choosing God every minute that I was choosing to think of God and practice queerness at the same time. All of it became very intentional, and I think it was pivotal in my political experience with organizing as well because it became that much more important for me to practice my faith by showing up for the communities that I care about. One of the asks from God as Muslims is to fight against injustice, so for me, all of those things were no longer just ideal concepts in books. It felt very much like a calling to show up in a particular way in the world.
Khan: That is amazing, and you are at the point where I want to be. But, for me, when I had fully realized and accepted that I was queer, I turned away from religion. Growing up in a Muslim household, we are taught a lot of cultural views on Islam as if they are truly what Islam is. Our people are good at twisting culture into faith, which had put thoughts into my head about how I was probably going to go to hell. I had a lot of resentment for religion and my faith; Why would I follow something that does not accept me? However, I am learning how ignorant I am about what Islam is. I absorbed these random facts that I had been told and attributed them to Islam. I do believe that Islam is such a beautiful religion, but I am still at a point where I am scared, yet immersing myself and trying to let go and let god. I am not there yet, but I do think that if I had not found these queer spaces, then I do not think I would think this way about Islam.; We are talking about things, digesting things, breaking things down, and our discussions are so fruitful.
Looking Ahead Into the Future with a Goal of Safety and Joy in Mind
Qadri: In the future, what do you hope that members can get out of joining your group and attending the events you will put on?
Khan: Honestly, just a genuinely good time, and also coming out of this without superficial relationships and conversations. I hope we can create a space for people to be comfortable and be fully, authentically themselves. Come as you are, be yourself, no judgment zone. A space to open your mind and have a lot of people who are receptive and empathetic.
Sirajum: I hope that we allow them to practice honesty with all parts of themselves and who they are. An opportunity to maybe right the wrongs of the world, if I may say. I think that justice or liberation is all about practice, right? I think that most of the world’s problems come from people not being able to connect. I think that part of it is connecting to yourself, and being able to be honest with ourselves so that we can form these honest friendships, build community, and organize together. In these spaces and relationships, we need to take care of one another and address each other’s needs.
