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

The Al-Fatiha Foundation for

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning
(LGBTQ) Muslims & their Friends
FACT SHEET
Contact Information:

Al-Fatiha Foundation Email: gaymuslims@yahoo.com

PO Box 33532 Web site: http://www.al-fatiha.net
Washington, DC 20033 Mailing List: al-fatiha-news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Mission Statement:

Al-Fatiha is an international organization dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgendered, those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their friends. Al-Fatiha's
mission is to provide a safe space and a forum for LGBTQ Muslims and their friends to address issues of
common concern, share individual experiences, and institutional resources. Al-Fatiha aims to support LGBTQ
Muslims in reconciling their sexual orientation or gender identity with Islam. Al-Fatiha promotes the Islamic
notions of social justice, peace and tolerance, to bring all closer to a world that is free from prejudice, injustice
and discrimination.

Goals and Objectives

1. Support Muslims who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and those who are
questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

2. Foster spirituality among LGBTQ Muslims.

3. Provide a supportive and understanding environment for LGBTQ Muslims who seek to reconcile their
sexual orientation or gender identity with Islam.

4. Empower LGBTQ Muslims by creating safe spaces to share individual experiences and by providing
information about institutional resources.

5. Advocate on behalf of LGBTQ Muslims in national and international forums

6. Encourage and initiate dialogue with Muslim communities around issues of

sexuality and gender.

The Al-Fatiha Foundation aims to accomplish its mission, goals, and objectives by:

Establishing local support & discussion groups for LGBTQ Muslims in the U.S. and abroad.
Holding regional, North American, and international meetings.
Outreach on the internet

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 Past, Present, and Future of the Al-Fatiha Foundation
History:
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 the
three-day retreat participants formally decided that an international organization was needed in order to address the specific
issues and problems facing the gay Muslim community. Al-Fatiha, Arabic for The Opening, which was the theme of the
retreat was thus adopted as the name of the organization to be established.

Since the retreat took place in 1998, eight chapters of Al-Fatiha have started in North America (in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New
York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington DC). In November of 1999, Al-Fatiha established its
first chapter outside of North America, in London, England. In 2002 Al-Fatiha plans to start future chapters in cities around the
US, UK, and Canada. Chapters hold social events, discussion groups, parties, regional retreats, and participate in local events.

Structural and Organizational Development:

In January 1999 Al-Fatiha registered formally as an official tax-exempt, non-profit, religious organization. The US-based entity
is known as Al-Fatiha Foundation, Inc. Our London chapter (created in November of 1999) has taken the lead to form Al-Fatiha,
UK and hopes to register as a non-profit in the near future. In the summer of 2001, Al-Fatiha launched an official membership
drive to generate on-going revenue and to establish a formal membership. Al-Fatiha Foundation in the USA has a board of
directors, while Al-Fatiha UK has a group of volunteer coordinators.

Future Chapters:
In the years to come, the Al-Fatiha Foundation hopes to establish chapters across the United States and Canada, as well as
countries abroad. By working with other LGBTQ organizations, non-governmental agencies, HIV/AIDS groups, human rights
organizations, etc., Al-Fatiha will increase its visibility around the world and bring to light the complex issues facing the LGBTQ
Muslim community.

Retreats and Conferences

Al-Fatiha has coordinated a number of retreats and conferences. In May of 1999, Al-Fatiha hosted the First North American
Conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Muslims & Friends. With more than sixty
participants from across the U.S. and Canada, including two people from abroad, Al-Fatiha successfully hosted this historical
event which was called the first of its kind, in New York City, USA. With more than ten workshops and five plenary sessions,
participants engaged in discussions on the many issues affecting their lives, their families, and their communities. In June of
2000, Al-Fatiha went to London for the 2nd International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims & Friends (our first event outside of the
USA). In June of 2001, Al-Fatiha held its 2nd North American Conference for LGBTQ Muslims & Friends in San Francisco and
also participated in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade & Festival, marking the first time that an LGBT Muslim organization
had marched in one of the largest Pride parades in the world.

Future Events:
In May 2002, Al-Fatiha will convene its Third International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims & Friends in Washington, DC USA. In
2003, Al-Fatiha will host its 3rd North American Conference in Toronto, Canada. And in 2004 Al-Fatiha will head to Europe
once again to hold its 4th International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims & their friends.

Media Coverage:
Since its inception Al-Fatiha has received enormous media coverage across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and
around the world. Almost every major LGBT newspaper in the Untied States has featured Al- Fatiha and its activities.
Additionally Al-Fatiha and its members have been featured in: Trikone Magazine, The Advocate Magazine, Out Magazine, XY
Magazine, The Gay Times of UK, and Diva Magazine. Al-Fatiha has also been featured in mainstream publications including The
New York Times, Oakland Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, India Abroad, and The Washington Post. The Associated Press and Reuters have
also mentioned Al-Fatiha in various articles. In August of 1999, Al-Fatiha was featured in the Akutel magazine of Turkey (a
mainstream lifestyle publication). Coverage has also been received abroad in 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.
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