News
2011 Trustee Elections
We elected an interim board of trustees earlier
this year, to take Imaan through to normal elections.
We need to confirm the election or appointment of
trustees for 2011, and this means that we are calling again for
volunteers who can dedicate their time, skills and energies to help take
Imaan forward.
The present trustees, with the exception of the
Secretary, are all volunteering to stand again in 2011 and to continue
in their present roles. The candidates and positions are:
Chair: Tawseef Khan
Since becoming the Chair of Imaan, I have been involved in a number of
different projects and tried to exercise my role across all areas.
I have undertaken a number of Speaker's Events, such as at the Pride
Conference in June 2010 and at the University of Sussex, which also
generated some much-needed revenue for Imaan. I also led Imaan's
return to Pride London to a fantastic public reception, after sitting
out the 2009 event.
Additionally, as members identified deficiencies in the Imaan
Constitution, I have written a more expansive document, which has had
significant member-input and will go through another consultation period
with the membership before being incorporated. In an effort to
harmonise Imaan's brand identity, I also brought in changes to the Imaan
logo with the great creativity of the Women's Officer.
I represented Imaan at the Annual International Retreat of the Inner
Circle in South Africa, speaking at the event with our Women's Officer
and attempting to bring the learning gained from this experience into
Imaan. Additionally, I also helped entertain a visit from members of
Skeiv Verden, a Norwegian-based LGBT organisation. Most recently,
I have also assisted in the facilitation of a series of events involving
Imam Daayiee Abdullah from Washington DC. I have also supported
the 'Gapshap' initiative of events in Manchester, which was started by
two members. On recommendation of a forum member, we have also
introduced a live chatting facility, adding another dimension to the
online Imaan experience.
Finally, I have worked on behalf of Imaan to build a series of links and
networks with external organisations, such as the Pride London; the
Association of British Muslims; the Inner Circle; HM2F; and the
Safra Project.
If I were to be re-elected, I would like to continue
the progress that the Imaan Board of Trustees have made as a collective.
Over the next year, we would like to address issues of membership,
resources and outreach. In particular, we will focus on organising
more fundraising events and making more applications for external
funding, in order to further our aim of gaining charity status and
improving the type and level of services we can provide our membership.
We also aim to build on the existing links made with external
organisations in order to help Imaan an organisation with a truly
national outreach.
Treasurer: Azeem Ahmad
Since I've been the treasurer I feel I haven't achieved much as I still
don't have control of the account. This has been due to the very slow
co-operation of the previous board. I am determined that the Imaan
account will be returned to the elected board and that in future
procedures are in place to ensure the smooth transition of accounts to
any newly elected board.
Meanwhile the future of the treasurer is to open a new
account so that we can start accepting donations again and continue with
fundraising activities. We would also like to start the process to
register as a charity. If I'm elected i will pursue having Imaan
registered as a charity so that we can have the benefits of charity
status.
Events officer: Gada Da’Na
Since I started as events officer with Imaan my first
experience was Gay Pride, and after this the book reading with Farzana
Doctor, and a few week ago Habibi. I am planning for the future
monthly meetings and in November we have Eid party if I am elected again
as events officer.
I am happy to continue as events officer.
Women’s Officer: Qurra
At the beginning of the year my work was sidetracked as i worked on
other area's within Imaan such as setting up the online store and
organising Imam Daaiyee's trip to the UK. Shortly after my work had to
postponed due to my father's death and I was unable to continue for a
number of months.
I have since been working closely with two sister's in much need of
support. Their vulnerable situation require me to liaison with Sahar for
advice and direction, give advice, listen and find resources particular
to their case. These two cases are on-going and i will continue to
support them in whatever capacity I can.
Unfortunately i was unable to fulfill my objectives for this position
due my father's passing and hope I can do so if I am elected again.
Research officer: Dervla
Since joining the Board I've published two academic papers which loosely
relate to Imaan members and, more widely, to LGBTQI Muslims (one on
feminist theology, the other on queer Muslim films, pending
publication). I'm currently preparing a chapter manuscript for an edited
reference collection on religion and sexuality, which I hope that the
Imaan board and members will contribute to.
I have also spent time making the Imaan library website which aims to
help close the gap between LGBTQI Muslims who are being written about,
and the work that is being made, as well as providing a one-stop
information point for the range of films, books, magazines, blogs,
artistic practices which are created by queer Muslims. I regularly
update the website with new research publications, conferences and
interesting events. So far the library site has been really
well-received, having more than a thousand hits since its creation, from
literally all over the world, and a few new members have contacted Imaan
through the library website. More recently I have been assisting Imam
Daayiee Abdullah arrange UK speaking events for his pending visit (Oct.
2010).
If I stay on the Board I hope to work with other BOTs to update the
information available on Imaan's main website, and to assist in any
research projects that are needed by the Board and/or membership.
Domestic Violence & Forced Marriage Officer: Sahar
No report provided
Secretary: No Candidate, position open.
The role of secretary is essentially to be the person responsible for
receiving all communications into the group, and making sure that
replies are sent: either dealing with the issues and requests, or making
sure that another trustee or volunteer takes ownership of the enquiry
and completes it.
The secretary also maintains the Imaan website and mailing lists:
ensuring that all communications from Imaan are clear, professional and
accurate.
So, what do you have to do to get involved?
We encourage anyone and everyone to get involved in Imaan’s future and
to stand for a specific role or as a simple Trustee. OK, maybe not so
simple, but as a board member with no fixed brief: someone who shares in
the work of the board and brings their energy, commitment and vote to
the proceedings of the group. You will be expected to take a full share
of the strain of keeping Imaan going and building it, these are not
empty posts. The number of trustee-positions cannot be infinite – or
else no business would ever get done – but the trustees are committed to
creating an inclusive and balanced board of trustees - so get your
nominations in and insha’Allah we will have a wealth of candidates for
members to vote upon.
To stand for election, please complete and return
a nomination form to the
returning officer, Fazal Mahmood –
fazal.mahmood@positiveeast.org.uk – by 15 November 2010
If officer-posts are not contested, the candidates will be duly
appointed.
Nominations for trustees without posts will likely be referred to an AGM
for approval – as an AGM would have to agree the size and operation of
an extended board.
We are aiming to hold an AGM in early December but if the demand for
nominations and trustee-posts is sufficient then some time might be
needed for proposals to be put to the membership and the realities of
life in December might force the AGM to be pushed back to the start of
January 2011. We will be able to update you on the close of
nominations on 15 November 2010.
So that’s it?
Pretty much, yes. We hope that many of you will feel motivated to get
involved and shape Imaan’s future. The group needs new blood, new
energy; and only you can provide it. We particularly need to fill the
role of secretary, so we ask everyone to consider their options and get
those nominations in!
Wasalaam,
Imaan.
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
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.