In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, Most Gracious

Al-Fatiha Foundation

Dedicated to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,

Intersex, Questioning
(LGBTIQ) Muslims and their Allies
What is Al-Fatiha?
Our Mission:
Al-Fatiha is a US-based organization dedicated to Muslims
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex,
questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or
gender identity, and their allies, families and friends. Al-
Fatiha promotes the progressive Islamic notions of peace,
equality and justice. We envision a world that is free from
prejudice, injustice and discrimination, where all people
are fully embraced and accepted into their faith, their
families and their communities. Founded in 1998, Al-Fatiha
Foundation is a registered non-profit, non-governmental
organization.

Our Goals and Objectives:

Support Muslims who identify themselves as
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex,
questioning, those exploring their sexual
orientation or gender identity, and their allies,
families and friends.
Foster spirituality among LGBTIQ Muslims
Provide a supportive and understanding
environment for LGBTIQ Muslims who seek to
reconcile their sexual orientation or gender
identity with Islam.
Empower LGBTIQ Muslims by creating safe
spaces to share individual experiences and by
providing information about institutional resources
Advocate on behalf of LGBTIQ Muslims in national

and international forums

Encourage and initiate dialogue with Muslim

communities around issues of sexuality & gender.

Al-Fatiha aims to accomplish its mission, goals,

and objectives by:
Establishing local support & discussion groups for

LGBTIQ Muslims in the U.S. and abroad

 Holding regional, North American, & international

meetings
Outreach on the internet.
History of Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha started in November of 1997 when its Founder, Faisal
Alam, started a listserv (internet-based email discussion group).
The listserve now hosts more than 275 subscribers from over
twenty countries around the world. Subscribers of the listserve
decided soon after to meet in person at what became the First
International Retreat for GLBT Muslims, held in Boston,
Massachusetts, USA, in October 1998. More than 40
participants attended representing thirteen ethnicities and
nationalities, including four international participants who came
from South Africa, Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands. At
the end of this three-day retreat participants formally decided
that an international organization was urgently needed in order
to address the specific issues and problems facing the gay
Muslim community. Al-Fatiha, Arabic for The Opening or The
Beginning (the theme of the retreat) was adopted as the name
of the organization to be established.

Since the retreat took place in 1998, Al-Fatiha has grown to

include eight chapters in the United States (in Atlanta, Houston,
Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, San Diego, San
Francisco and Washington DC). Affiliate and sister organizations
exist in three countries: Canada, the United Kingdom and
South Africa. Local chapters hold social events, discussion
groups, parties, regional retreats, and participate in local
LGBTIQ and Muslim events.

Since its inception Al-Fatiha has received wide media coverage

around the world. Major LGBT newspapers in the Untied States
have featured Al-Fatiha and its activities. Al-Fatiha and its
members have also been featured in: Trikone Magazine, The
Advocate Magazine, Out Magazine, XY Magazine, The Gay
Times of UK, and Diva Magazine, The New York Times, Oakland
Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, India Abroad, and The Washington
Post. The Associated Press and Reuters have also featured
articles on Al-Fatiha and the LGBTQ Muslim movement.
Coverage has also been received abroad in Turkey, Bangladesh,
India, South Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. In
addition to press coverage Al-Fatiha has also been featured on a
number of radio and TV programs including BBC Radio and BBC
World Television.

Al-Fatihas Major Accomplishments:

October 1998 1st International Retreat for GLBT Muslims

Boston (Al-Fatiha is formed).

May 1999 1st North American Conference for LGBT

Muslims New York City (first time queer Muslim diaspora
issues are discussed).

November 1999 Al-Fatiha London is formed.

May 2000 2nd International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims

London, England (first time a major queer Muslim event is
held outside of the United States).

June 2001 3rd North American Conference for LGBTQ

Muslims San Francisco (first time Al-Fatiha marches in a
major pride parade wide media exposure received).

May 2002 Al-Fatiha formally divides Al-Fatiha UK and

Al-Fatiha Foundation (USA) formed.

May 2002 3rd International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims

Washington DC (first Al-Fatiha event held post 9/11 -
candlelight vigil held to remember victims of hatred and
oppression first queer Muslim-Jewish dialogue held).

June 2003 Salaam Canada is officially formed (chapters

include Toronto, Halifax and Vancouver).

June 2003 1st Salaam Canada and 4th Al-Fatiha

International Conference Toronto (first major queer
Muslim event held in Canada reception honoring Al-
Fatiha held at the Toronto City Hall).

February 2004 Al-Fatiha conference in Los Angeles (first-

ever queer Muslim cultural festival held featuring poetry,
dance performances and films).

Future Events:
 2005 Womens Retreat in Philadelphia
Regional Conference in New York City
Mens Retreat Location TBD
Islam & Homosexuality Questions & Answers*

1) Does the Quran condemn homosexuality?

Many traditional Islamic scholars believe that the Quran
condemns homosexuality because of the destruction of the nation
of Lot. Traditional interpretations of these verses assume that the
men within Lots tribe were committing homosexual acts. More
liberal and progressive interpretations of these verses attribute
the destruction of Lots tribe to behavior and acts not related to
consensual sex amongst the people of the same gender. The
people of Lots tribe were guilty of idolatry (worshipping idols),
inhospitality and rejection of guests (a high moral crime), looting
caravans that passed the tribe (stealing / thievery), adultery
(many of these men were married to women), and non-
consensual sex (the men were raping other men). Thus, the
nation of Lot was not destroyed because of homosexuality but
because of a wide range of social and moral crimes committed
against others. The Quran also does not give a specific
punishment for same-sex behavior, but it is very clear about
heterosexual adultery and its punishment.

2) Did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

ever
punish anyone for same-sex acts?
No, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never punished
anyone for same-sex behavior. In fact the Prophet believed that
sexual behavior with ones partner(s) was a very personal matter
and not something for public discourse. There are some hadith
(sayings) attributed to the Prophet where he condemns same-sex
behavior, but some liberal and progressive Muslim scholars
believe that these hadith were fabricated after the Prophet died
for political purposes. Additionally, the Prophet never specified a
punishment for people caught committing same-sex acts. It was
only after the Prophets death when heterosexual adultery laws
were incorporated, to condemn homosexual behavior.

3) What about transgender Muslims?

Transgender Muslims find a unique but very challenging place in
Islamic cultures and throughout Islamic history. While there is no
explicit mention of transgender issues in Islam, the Al-Azhar
University, Sunni Islams most revered Islamic institution issued a
fatwa (religious decree) allowing sex reassignment surgery in
1998.

* These statements do not necessarily express the viewpoints of Al-Fatiha or its members.
Contact Information:
Al-Fatiha Foundation Telephone: 202-454-5534
PO Box 33532 Email: gaymuslims@yahoo.com
Washington, DC 20033 Web: http://www.al-fatiha.org
E-Listserv: al-fatiha-news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Why You Should Support Al-Fatiha:

Every day Al-Fatiha receives an email, a phone call or a
letter from someone struggling to reconcile their sexual
orientation or gender identity with their faith of Islam.
Al-Fatiha is the often the only place they can turn to for
support, spiritual counseling, or institutional support.
As an all-volunteer organization, run by a small group of
committed people, we rely on your support.
Please donate generously. Thank you for your support!

Full Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone:
Email:

What is the best way to contact you?

May we send mail to the above address?

$35 Member
$60 Couple
$25 Student or Limited Income

Please accept an additional contribution in the amount of

$_____ for your courageous work on behalf of LGBTIQ
Muslims and their allies.

Mail a check or money order to:

 Al-Fatiha Foundation
PO Box 33532
Washington, DC 20033

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

Al-Fatihas tax-payer Identification Number: 13-4047873