firing ramadan right before the ramadan :)

salam, friends,

the city of rotterdam in the netherlands has fired its in-house muslim "integrator", tariq ramadan. the decision follows after the scandal that ramadan works for the iranian regime via its worldwide funded tv called presstv. the nrc.nl article discusses this. in the meantime, afshin ellian has penned a critical opinion piece. a day later, tariq ramadan penned his own opinion piece in the same paper.

mr. ramadan is definitely one to watch out for. he is a very charismatic man who claims to bear progressive thoughts, but he is far more of an islamist than he would ever be willing to admit.

Iraqi LGBT welcome Human Rights Watch report on pogrom, urges practical aid

salam, friends,

from the iraqi lgbt group in london.

afdhere

#

Iraqi LGBT welcome Human Rights Watch report on pogrom, urges practical aid

The Iraqi LGBT group today welcomed the release by Human Rights Watch of its report 'They want us exterminated' which documents the killing of LGBT people in Iraq, in particular the extensive media coverage it has generated. Much of the information in the report is sourced from Iraqi LGBT members.

"This report underlines what we have been saying since our group's formation in 2006," said Iraqi LGBT spokesperson, Ali Hili. "We have information on over 700 killings including honour killings."

However Hili says that the group, which has 100 members inside Iraq (as well as refugees in neighboring countries) and supports LGBT people through safe houses, offers practical support (food etc.), psychological and educational support, is chronically underfunded.

"We are the only people offering support to our fellow Iraqi LGBT inside Iraq but because we do not have the funds we have had to turn people away," he said.

The group recently published its annual report, available on its website, which showed how the money it receives is spent.

The report explains how it has developed methods of operating clandestinely which are essential for such an operation in the Middle East. Hili is the only visible member of the group and as a result has attracted death threats in his exile in London. He is under police protection.

Recently it received a second substantial donation from a Dutch group. However due to low funding it has had to close safe houses and slow its development plans.

At the same time it has seen very large amounts of money raised in the United States go to a Lebanese group which is supposed to be supporting Iraqi LGBT refugees. Ali says that the refugees, delivered to Lebanon by Human Rights Watch, have in fact been abandoned and some have returned to Iraq because they had no practical support.

"We have been trying to support one refugee who returned to Iraq from Lebanon because his medical needs were not being supported and who is now in danger. Through the United Nations, he has actually been accepted as a refugee by Sweden however it costs $2000 just for him to get back to Lebanon and then there are his travel costs to Sweden on top of that plus organising support in Sweden."

"This is an example of a case where we have great difficulty helping. It also shows something of the real costs involved in actually supporting people. Another example of that would be the bribes we have had to pay to save peoples lives."

"Our group represents Iraqi LGBT - they are our members - and, despite immense difficulties, our group has gained a lot of experience since we were established. Please support us if you want to help save LGBT people in Iraq."

Donations to Iraqi LGBT can be made to the PayPal Account iraqilgbt@yahoo.co.uk .

Or make cheques payable to (IRAQI LGBT) and send them to:

Iraqi LGBT
22 Notting Hill Gate
Unit 111London,
W11 3JE
United Kingdom

For further information please call ++44 (0) 79-819 59453 or email iraqilgbt@googlemail.com or see http://iraqilgbtuk.blogspot.com

Ali said that the group also welcomed those who could donate their skills.

pro-gay marriage Muslim delegate stirs conservatives

In 2007, Saqib Ali became the first Muslim elected to the Maryland state legislature. But Ali made headlines again this year in July, after his Op-ed supporting same sex marriage was published in a local newspaper. The piece gained him support among gay rights groups, but also stirred his conservative base and relatives against him. Ali talks about his decision, his role as a public servant and the separation between religious beliefs and public policy.

link: 89.3 kpcc (read, listen, and download!)

hijab: unveiling queer muslim lives

salam, friends,

here is info about a new book being published out of south africa:

Dear Colleagues, friends & Others

Book Launch: Hijab: Unveiling Queer Muslim Lives

The Inner Circle is launching its book on the 14 August 2009 at 18H30 for 19H00 at the Centre for the Book, in Queen Victoria Road, Cape Town. This is a social history project that presents a voice that has been silent for too long; it addresses issues of Islam and sexual (and gender) diversity, more specifically queer Muslims. This has been a sweat equity project, whereby with limited funding, we have brought it to fruition.

Please RSVP to 021 761 0037 OR reception@theinnerc ircle.org. za in order for us to arrange catering.

Hoping to see you at the launch!!!

Please forward to your contacts!!!

Hijab: Unveiling Queer Muslim Lives is a groundbreaking anthology of queer Muslim stories. This aptly titled book represents a set of voices from various backgrounds and generations whose stories are true. It explores and addresses, through these personal accounts, the fear and isolation of being queer and Muslim as well as the triumphs despite a largely homophobic society. In almost all of these pieces one sees the difficulties queer Muslims journey through in order to reconcile their sexuality with their spirituality.

Any compassionate human being would be deeply moved by the way that truth and individuality is embraced in every single story. It is thought provoking and often heartbreaking. It touches you and its words will get under your skin. Hijab speaks to and should be required reading for every parent, teacher, religious leader & politician as it shows all of us how important it is that we be more attentive, tolerant & accepting to aspects of difference in religion, race, ethnicity and sexuality.

I highly recommend this selection of heart-rending stories to anyone with a personal interest – or quite simply, to anyone who cares.

Mariam Ismail-Baderoon (Educationist)