10/05/2024
Sydney Star Observer, the respected Australian LGBT+ newspaper, reports that in Melbourne, LGBT+ Muslims joined forces to celebrate the Iftar meal together, to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was organised by Queer Muslim Narm. The Observer paper notes "Organisers Sasja Sÿdek and Abdurahman Katamish said the response from the queer Muslim community has been “overwhelmingly positive and empowering”. “Having a queer Iftar is essential as it addresses the intersectionality of identities, and provides a safe space for individuals who may feel marginalised or excluded from traditional religious and cultural spaces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Sÿdek said. Attendees to the event were able to enjoy a tasty selection of foods from across the traditionally Islamic world, from the Middle East to South Asia. Queer Palestinian community member Anas has attended several Iftar events, and said they brought a sense of unity among religious queer communities. “It’s one thing to speak about intersectionality and another thing to actually put it into practice. And I think these queer Iftar events are some of the most intersectional events I’ve been to,” he said. In addition, prayers were said for peace in the troubled Middle East. Queer Muslim Naarm has a website at Instagram and sent its Eid Mubarak greetings to the community wishing "hope, faith and joy... on Eid-ul-Fitr and always".
