News
Next London Meeting - POSTPONED
When: TBA
Where: TBA - Possibly a new West-End venue!
Time: TBA
Owing to a shortage of personnel and the commitments of members to Brighton and Liverpool Pride, we we have postponed the 7 August meeting
We have however been contacted by Skaverveden (a very similar group to Imaan, but based in Norway) with whom we have worked in the past. We are trying to arrange a joint Imaan / Skaververden event in London later this month and will confirm details ASAP.
To register for news and updates, email info@imaan.org.uk and tell us a bit about yourself.
Don't forget the Imaan forum as a source of advice, chat and announcements. Registration is free and we now have a live chat facility. www.forum.imaan.org.uk
Imaan Presents: Farzana Doctor
When: Saturday 17 July 2010
Where: Positive East, 159 Mile End Road, London E1 4AQ
Time: 15:00 to 17:00 Writing Workshop
17:30 to 19:00 Book reading and Q & A session
Farzana Doctor, a Canadian author and Board Member of Salaam Canada, Queer Muslim Community, will be leading a free writers’ workshop: “Writing Fiction about Our Own Communities” on Saturday July 17th 3-5pm at 159 Mile End Rd, London. Everyone (of all writing abilities and aspirations) is welcome. Bring paper and a pen.
Afterwards, between 5.30-7, Farzana will be reading from her latest novel, 'Six Metres of Pavement', followed by a Q&A session. Farzana will also be signing copies of her novels.
Ideally, try to pre-register with gada@imaan.org.uk and please arrive early so that we can start at 3pm! This promises to be a brilliant event so please also spread the word through your social networks and friends! Pre-registration is not essential, just easier for us to plan the event!
(Farzana Doctor’s first novel, Stealing Nasreen, received critical acclaim and earned a devoted readership upon its release in 2007. Her second novel, Six Metres of Pavement, will be published by The Dundurn Group in 2011. In her spare time, she is also a psychotherapist, and a sex and relationship advice columnist for Jiah Magazine. She lives in Toronto. More information at www.farzanadoctor.com)
Mark Ames Outburst against Muslims
30 June 2010
Mark Ames, the owner of London-based bear nightclub XXL, apparently wrote on Facebook last Monday that he would boycott all shops and restaurants owned by Muslims and called them "scum".
According to screen-grabs of his account, he wrote: “From today i will be boycotting any shops, petrol stations restaurants or businesses i know are owned by Muslims this also includes holidays to muslim countries today see our death toll up to 300 so why the hell are we not just flying this scum back out to there beloved states and pull out and let them fight out there own issues! Funny thing is most of there parent’s would have used i am escaping the brutal rules of muslim society when they arrived on UK shores [sic]."
The comments were made after police were attacked at an anti-racist protest in east London on June 21st.
Imaan commented:
"Our view would be that Mr. Ames, if he holds the views attributed to him, has shown himself to be a rather unpleasant, but unrepresentative example of the LGBT community in London and further afield."
"Whilst racist and Islamophobic views like this do exist amongst a minority of LGBT people (our members experience this sort of outburst and prejudice on the scene, but thankfully rarely) he is not representative of the majority of fair-minded and decent people."
"If Mr. Ames chooses – whilst most of are preparing to celebrate the diversity of our communities in ‘Pride 2010’ – to descend into his own ‘gay shame’, then that is his loss. He is as representative of LGBT people as the drug-peddling, murdering gangsters of Afghanistan are representative of ordinary Muslims – whether gay, straight, in this country or elsewhere."
Imaan, and LGBT Muslims, are preparing to celebrate Pride 2010 with our brothers and sisters of all communities, both in the parade and with events in London and in Bradford. We suggest Mr. Ames is best ignored."
Imaan online shop is launched!
We are now in the e-commerce family. In our own small and friendly way of course. Show your allegiance to the cause with our range of T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps. mugs and badges.
Prices are so very reasonable, and every purchase includes a donation to Imaan funds - so everyone is a winner.
Check this out at http://shop.imaan.org.uk
Meeting - 6 June 2010
Guest Speaker, Dr. Patrick Williams - "Should LGBTQI Muslims March at Pride"
Place: Positive East, 159 Mile End Road, London E1 4AQ
Time: 13:00 - 16:00 - Prompt start!!
Dr. Williams (vice-chair of Pride London) will talk and take questions for the first hour, which will be an LGBTQI Muslim space only. From 14:00 the meeting is open to all friends, family, partners and supporters on a drop-in / out basis for socialising and general discussion. Refreshments will be provided, contributions will be welcomed.
Contact Gada for further details or any assistance.
26 May 2010 - Election Results
That's it folks, the restructuring and elections are all over, and the new band of volunteer trustees / officers are as follows
| Chair | Tawseef Khan |
| Secretary | Royston Ford |
| Treasurer | Azeem Ahmad |
| Women's officer | Qurra |
| Events officer | Gada Da'na |
| Forced marriage and domestic violence officer | Sahar |
| Research officer | Dervla |
All can be emailed by clicking above or by the addresses name@imaan.org.uk and the EGM minutes can be found HERE
Imaan Library is launched
Under the guidance of our reseach officer, Dervla, we have launched an online library of books, essays, articles and thoughts on Islam and on sexuality from a spiritual viewpoint. This is not intended as a theological resource and is not prepared by an Imam, it explores a wide range of voices, experiences and viewpoints of sexuality and spirituality within Islam and Muslim communities.