On Thursday 7 December, Omar Orhan Akhtar (26) was elected as the new chairman of Skeiv Verden at an extraordinary annual meeting. Akhtar was elected deputy chairman at the 2023 annual meeting and has served as chairman since June 2023.
The nomination committee based its recommendation on a great deal of positive feedback on Omar's work as a representative of Skeiv Verden, and clear input on the need for continuity and stability in the organisation.
Omar has a degree in religious studies and currently works as a lecturer for Bærum municipality. He has previously led Rosa kompetanse skole for two years, as well as being involved in queer Muslim activism since 2016. Omar's causes are often linked to religion and queerness, trans, anti-colonialist perspectives and changing Western majority narratives about what it is like to be a queer multi-minority.
Siri Helena Skarby (29) is stepping in as deputy chair. Siri is a lecturer in Nordic studies and has studied international studies at UiO. She has experience as an activist, leader of the Latin American groups (LAG) Blindern and dialogue facilitator at the international student festival in Trondheim 2019 (ISDiT19). In addition, she is particularly interested in how Skeiv Verden, as a growing organisation, also manages to protect the grassroots and ensure space and commitment for volunteers.
Elisar Sayegh (27) was also elected deputy member of the central board. She is taking a master's degree in human rights at the University of Oslo, and works as a consultant at the university. Previously, she worked as a communications advisor at the Church City Mission, and as a mentor for young refugees at the former Vibro magazine. Elisar is engaged in issues related to transnational activism and multidisciplinary approaches, and how these factors can contribute to changing narratives about queer minorities.
Queer World wishes the new management team good luck with their work!
Omar Orhan Akhtar, Manager
Siri Helena Skarby, deputy chairman
Karen Pinholt, board member responsible for finance
Joo Helena Hansen, board member
Maya Økland, board member
Thomas André Syvertsen, board member
Wesam Almadani, board member
Elisar Sayegh, 1st deputy member
Karolina Kjeldsen, 2nd deputy member
Andrea Grønningsæter, 3rd deputy member
