Muslim LGBT Group Announces International Conference to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Challenging Homophobia and Islamophobia 

Imaan, Europe's largest Muslim LGBT support organisation, is celebrating its tenth anniversary in October 2008 with a conference that will bring together leading figures from around the world to discuss issues of faith and sexuality and to support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender Muslims. 

The conference will also showcase artistic, educational and spiritual workshops, activities, and debates. 

Imaan International Conference 17-19 October2008,London   

Delegates and speakers from Britain, Europe, the Middle East and Africa will include high-profile Islamic imams, leading international LGBT activists and senior civil service advisors, as well as British Muslim and LGBT community support organizations like the Lesbian & Gay Coalition Against Racism, the Naz Project, Metropolitan Police, Stonewall, the Terence Higgins Trust, UK Black Pride and leading equalities and public service union, UNISON. This year’s conference will also include guests from other LGBT communities including Jewish, Christian and Baha’i organizations and non faith groups.  

The conference is set to make a major impact as academics and commentators debate conference themes of gender, migration, racism, homophobia and the British LGBT Muslim community. It will prove a vital resource for improving understanding among social and community sector professionals and further insight into the experience of LGBT Muslim people. Delegates at previous conferences described the event as: "a profound experience", "warm and supportive", "a welcome relief to connect with others who know Islam is not a homophobic faith, and one that we can practice."  

Announcing the event, Pav Akhtar, Imaan’s Chair, said: "With the rise in Islamophobia since September 11 and the stark experience of homophobia in wider society, LGBT Muslim people can find themselves doubly isolated as the victims of prejudice and discrimination within the LGBT, Muslim and wider community. I am proud that for the past decade Imaan has provided much needed confidence and support to its members and supporters, and that we have worked closely with the Muslim and LGBT communities to address our issues. There has not been a more important time or opportunity for Muslim LGBT people to stand up and speak for ourselves."  

Delegates can register for the weekend event by emailing Denne e-postadressen er beskyttet mot programmer som samler e-postadresser. Du må aktivere JavaScript for å kunne se adressen Tickets start at £10 with discounts. The program, registration form and other details can be found online at:  www.imaan.org.uk/conference  

NOTES FOR EDITORS:  Further details on Imaan and recent newsletters can be found at www.imaan.org.uk All press enquiries should be directed to the Chair, Pav Akhtar: Denne e-postadressen er beskyttet mot programmer som samler e-postadresser. Du må aktivere JavaScript for å kunne se adressen or 07950 484587.  

Imaan has supported LGBT Muslim people, their families and friends, to explore issues of sexual orientation within Islam. It provides a safe space and support network to address issues of common concern by sharing individual experiences and institutional resources. Imaan is the largest network for Muslim LGBT people outside the USA.