To Be Queer and Muslim

By: Hana Shafi

In a small boardroom with fluorescent lighting, tables have been pushed up against the wall and blue mats have been laid out and covered with blankets for Friday Jummah prayers. It’s a small prayer space, but with only fifteen people in attendance, it’ll do.

But it’s the not the kind of group one might picture when they think of Muslims gathering for Friday prayers. Some women are wearing hijabs, but not all. People are in all kinds of clothing- bright red sweaters, yellow pants, dresses, and more traditional garb. A woman is leading the prayers- not something you usually see at a Mosque.

And most surprising, this space is queer friendly.In fact, the Friday Jummah Circle, as its been named, was founded by El-Farouk Khaki, his partner Troy Jackson, and Laury Silvers. Khaki and Jackson are openly gay, and no one at the Jummah Circle has a problem with it.

Read more here at Angry Gal Blog