Queer and Muslim

Rahim Thawer (he/him) is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and author based in Toronto, Canada. Rahim explores intersections of mental health and systemic oppression in his practice and writing.Maryam Khan (she/her) is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Maryam conducts community-based research with 2SLGBTTIQ+ individuals and communities.

• Foreword-Imam Mushin HendricksIntroduction-Rahim Thawer and Maryam KhanPART ONE. IDENTITY AND FAMILYPagal Ke Beta Chaka Ka Ma: Son of Mad, Mother of Fag-Sami SharifWound (Open) Letter to My Mother-SaaraSamajhdaar-Y.K.The glass from my chest is melting into my toes-Maha NoorMe My Mama and My Mama's Racism-Ayan Yusuf KarsheSelf-Care? No, Thank You-Maryam KhanPART TWO. STRUGGLES AND RESILIENCELessons of Resistance-FiraFighting the Islamic State and Islamophobia-Nazanin MoghadamiAn Overdue Letter to My Inner Child-Adnan PatelRethinking Therapy: Building Resilience through Culture and Spirituality-Robbie AhmedPART THREE. HEALING AND TRANSFORMATIONHonouring Shame: An Embodied Experience of Queering Islam-Sarah ShahPsychedelics and Possibilities-S.H.Party 'n' Pray: A Conversation about Substances and Spirituality-Shafik Kamani and Rahim ThawerPART FOUR. COMMUNITY AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICESTrans Wudu-Aaron El SabroutThe Garden Is My Home-Nathan Viktor FawazQueer Conversations with Allah-Mond MotadiIs That Muslim?: Building Community in Diverse Ways-El-Farouk Khaki in collaboration with Troy JacksonDiving Into Allah's Mercy-Elias B.Clustering Into Collective Care-Amal Ishaquequasa Meeting Minutes-NasConclusion Epilogue: Honoring Imam Muhsin Hendricks

"Psychologists often speak about neutrality. In practice, neutrality is rarely possible. Our interpretations are shaped by the political and cultural contexts we inhabit. The ethical task is not to remove politics from therapy. That would be impossible. It is to recognise when our reactions are shaping the care we provide" -When politics enters the therapy room | BPS"A vibrant anthology, Queer and Muslim gathers essays and verse from twenty-three authors who reconciled religion and sexuality and traded trauma for good mental health.""A luminous, soul-stirring testament to queer Muslim resilience, radical faith, and unapologetic healing."-- Pepe Hendricks, editor of Hijab: Unveiling Queer Muslim Lives"Queer and Muslim is a raw, vital collection illuminating LGBTQ Muslim lives with complexity and transformative care and a courageous tribute to Muhsin Hendricks' enduring legacy of healing."-- K. D. Thompson"A rich, powerful, and compelling anthology, full of timely, unflinching, tender, intimate narratives of LGBTQ Muslim lives and experiences."-- Wim Peumans"This collection of personal narratives is both important and full of hope. By adding more understanding to how queer Muslims inhabit their lives, loves, and faith, and by leading us to think about healing and belonging through these stories, this collection provides original and uplifting interventions that aid queer Muslims being seen and heard for who they are, in their own words."-- Momin Rahman