Al-Fatiha Foundation

Members of Al Fatiha at the LGBT Pride parade in San Francisco 2008.

The Al-Fatiha Foundation is an organization which advances the cause of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims. It was founded in 1997 by Faisal Alam, a Pakistani American, and is registered as a nonprofit organization in the United States. Imam Daayiee Abdullah is also a board member of the Al-Fatiha Foundation.

History

The organization grew out of an internet listserve that brought together many gay, lesbian, and questioning Muslims from 25 countries, and by 1998 had developed numerous in-person chapters.[1][2] Al-Fatiha has 14 chapters in the United States, as well as offices in England, Canada, Spain, Turkey, and South Africa.

The name means "the Opening" and is shared with Al-Fatiha or the first surah of the Qur'an. In the beginning of that surah, Allah is described as compassionate and merciful; the organization's founders believe that these attributes characterize Islam, rather than hatred and homophobia.[3]

Each year, Al-Fatiha hosts an international membership retreat and conference.[2] Early conferences took place in Boston, New York, and London in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and focused on issues such as the reconciliation of religion and sexual orientation.[1][4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cyber mecca". The Advocate. March 14, 2000. p. 27.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thumma, Scott; Gray, Edward R. (2005). Gay religion. Rowman Altamira. p. 379. ISBN 9780759103269.
  3. ↑ Kincheloe, Joe L. (2010). Teaching against Islamophobia. Peter Lang. p. 192. ISBN 9781433103360.
  4. ↑ "Where the others stand". Out. November 1999. p. 97.