The Ayah Project’s second annual queer Muslim conference wasn’t just a chance for faith members to commiserate and find community—it was a place of active resistance amid a worldwide rise in xenophobia and homophobia.
The non-profit—formerly the US branch of Hidayah, a UK-based community outreach organization—arrived at the University of Illinois at Chicago April 26 for a day-long conference featuring several panels, speakers and workshops, followed by an informal after party at Eli Tea Bar.
The event welcomed more than 100 guests into UIC’s student center, a significant increase from last year’s conference in DC, according to Zain Islam-Hashmi, the group’s chair.
Markedly different from last year’s “more informative” event in DC, the conference gave attendees a chance to get to know each other and immerse themselves within the event, with a diverse array of speakers leading the charge. Discussing how to reconcile one’s Muslim faith with a queer identity, speakers offered attendees insights on how to navigate life.
“I’m Black in a lot of spaces that are very white. I am Muslim in a lot of spaces that are very Christian. And so there’s just an overall exhaustion,” Idries Abdur-Rahman, one half of the Twin Doctors duo, said during a segment titled “Queer Muslim Journeys: Strength in Community.”
“I try to use that exhaustion as my superpower,” he added. “I really do try and just find strength in that exhaustion.”
The organization has largely served the community through virtual events, which helped introduce the Project’s current treasurer, Sharjeel, to the fold.
Having joined in 2020 as part of his coming out journey, he found solace in the group’s offerings of restorative healing and just getting to talk about his experiences with others who understand.
The group’s online presence—a Discord server connecting LGBTQ+ Muslims everywhere—is strong as ever, reaffirming that they are not alone—and that their identity is not an oxymoron.
“I’m not going to give up this faith that I feel such a strong affinity towards because of my sexuality, and I’m also not going to live inauthentically just because some people in this faith group have this interpretation that makes us invisible,” Sharjeel said.
As of the Ayah Project’s registration as a nonprofit, they were the only organization recognized nationally that specializes in supporting queer Muslims.
The Project’s arrival in Chicago came in a time of need for the city, following the closing of Masjid al-Rabia, a queer-oriented Muslim church whose progressive policies provided a haven for marginalized Muslims, which has been closed for more than a year.
“Chicago almost approached us,” Islam-Hashmi said. “They lost that gathering point. And so we were hearing from a lot of people from Chicago who were wondering, ‘Are there places in Chicago, are there other groups who can fill the void?’”
“We’re very intentional,” he added, pointing to partnerships with local groups and spaces, in particular the University of Illinois Chicago’s gender and sexuality center. “We don’t want to just parachute in, solve the problem and then leave with no support.”
Although the organization has based their operations virtually, leaders hope to bring the annual conference across the country—next year is already set to take place in California.
“The fact that 130 people showed up—that’s more than double last year—and that there’s already interest in doing it in California over a year before we’re actually there—I think that also says something,” Islam-Hashmi said. “We’re really excited to keep this initiative going and trying to figure out how we can be equitable and support for Muslims all across the country.”