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Khanith

Khanith/Xanith (Arabic: خنيث) is a gender-diverse community of Arabian peninsula. Most of the Khaniths are born as male, associated with feminine expression & gender non-confirmity. The term khanith is colloquially used in Oman and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula to describe effeminate male, transvestite, passive homosexual, queer, gender non-confirming & non-binary individuals.

Etymology

The term khanith derived from the Arabic triliteral root kha-nu-tha — a root which also provides the words khuntha (intersex) and mukhannath/mukhannas (effeminate male, trans femme,cross-gender). Mu'khanith is the plural form of Khanith. The term Khanith/Mukhanith has been existed in Arabian Peninsula since about 600 AD. [citation needed]

The term khanith was first documented in anthropological scholarship by Unni Wikan (1977). Unni Wikan described Khanith group as transsexual homosexual [citation needed]. Wikan’s study proved to be controversial among anthropologists, triggering a heated debate about definitions and methodology of Arabic Khanith identity.

Life Style

The Khanith has medium long hair & comb their hair diagonally forward from a side parting, and they oil it heavily in the style of women. Both men and women cover their head, but Kaniths do not.Khaniths are generally heavily perfumed, and uses make-up.They often dressed up in a white and tight-fitting kandorah (an ankle-length garment worn in the region), while some worn ghutrah (a white headdress). By profession, khaniths are entertainer, matchmaker & servant.

In legal terms the khaniths are regarded as men and referred to by others with masculine pronouns. While some consider them as third gender in Omani society. Some khanith may marry a female, by doing so they would be bound by the rules of patriarchal norms & gender segregation. The usual reason given for marriage is to have someone care for them and keep them company in old age. Moreover, khanith individuals can engage in same-sex relationship, their sexuality was much tolerated in earliest days of Arabia.

In Popular Culture

The Diesel is one of the popular critical pieces of Gulf literature, was written by Thani al-Suwaidi, an Emirati poet & writer. The novella was published in 1994. The story revolves around a transgender/khanith djinn who face the difficult decision of living in a man's body as a conventional 'man' or embracing their inner female soul. Diesel is born to parents who long for a son after many pregnancy difficulties. The mother passed away after giving birth. The father and family hold Diesel responsible for her/their mother's death & ultimately marginalised growing up in her/their community. Eventually, she/they experiences a 'calling' and takes on a daring career as a female entertainer and singer. She/they becomes the most sought-after voice luring sheikhs who beg to hear her voice at their celebrations and weddings. Eventually, Diesel's popularity grows to the extent that she/they is able to incite a rebellion against the ruling elite.

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Members of Bangladesh’s transgender hijra community, who were disallowed from attending other prayer services, have been welcomed at a new mosque in the Muslim-majority nation with the promise of worship without discrimination. The humble structure, a single-room shed with walls and a tin roof, is a new community hub for the minority, who have enjoyed greater legal and political recognition in recent years but still suffer from entrenched prejudice. The mosque near Mymensingh, north of the capital Dhaka, on the banks of the Brahmaputra river, was built on land donated by the government after the city’s hijra community was expelled from an established congregation. “I never dreamt I could pray at a mosque again in my lifetime,” said Sonia, 42, who as a child loved to recite the Quran and studied at an Islamic seminary. But when she came out as hijra, as transgender people in South Asia are commonly known, she was blocked from praying in a mosque. “People would tell us: ‘Why are you hijra people here at the mosques? You should pray at home. Don’t come to the mosques’,” said Sonia, who uses only one name. “It was shameful for us, so we didn’t go,” she added. “Now, this is our mosque. Now, no one can say no.”

Continue Reading.

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Photography and interview by Samra Habib

Who: Farhat, New York

I was raised in a somewhat liberal Bangladeshi family in Dhaka, Bangladesh. However, my parents were very punitive in terms of having relationships with the exterior world, hence my interactions with school friends and other family members were minimal. We also lived in a working class environment, yet my sister and I were sent to a prestigious English medium school with the hopes that both of us would one day end up in the United States. In middle and high school, I was bullied and was treated disrespectfully by several of my peers due to my gender non conforming presentation and those years were pretty isolating for me. Hence, I would always turn to movies and cartoons to brighten up my day since reality was too difficult to deal with at times. I was not the best student in school and used to get into trouble often with the administration. Yet I somehow managed to ace the exams, especially Mathematics and finally came to the United States for my undergrad.

My relationship with Islam has changed significantly over the past few years. I was not religious while growing up and I also knew I was queer since age 10. My queerness was my best kept secret over the next few years of my growth. However, I felt ashamed of my sexuality and my gender and I continued to pathologize it over the course of my teenage years. After I entered my first year at college, I was confronted with my queerness head-on and I took a year’s leave from college and went back to Bangladesh with the hopes of driving my queerness away. I devoted all my time to practicing Islam and incorporating the best  values of the Prophet Mohammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. I had a dear friend who accompanied me and truly guided me through this amazing journey of intricately understanding glorious Islam. Yet, I continued feeling that I would not be able to change or suppress my orientation or gender nonconforming self. I returned to the US for my 2nd year at college after which I started making some queer friends and became more comfortable with my sexuality and gender. There continues to exist a massive tension between navigating activist radical queer spaces and being a Muslim who calls to Allah every day. I continue to have debates within myself on what it means to incorporate Islam in my life and to be a part of a community that I deeply care about and believe in as well.

I am looking for more gender non-conforming and transgender Muslims with anti-racist and femme identifying politics to be in community with, which I have failed to find so far. Maybe that will change in the future.

I am an aspiring filmmaker. I love to read political/film theory, diasporic fiction, take early morning runs, eating dirt cheap amazing foods, sifting through colorful clothing, and brainstorming ideas for short comedies/dramas.

I think that the biggest challenge facing queer Muslims in America is in creating space to incorporate more black LGBTQGNC Muslims in different social and political spaces. I feel this world has been built to be anti-black in nature and our priority if we are to form a wholesome community is to work on who we are forming community with and to recognize how anti-blackness can seep into our relationship formations as queer Muslims. 

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Know the difference between Islam and Political Islamism

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What is Sharia law: Part–2

It's the last part of 'What is Sharia law'. This infography was originally created by Muslim for Progressive Values

[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

What is Sharia law: Part–1

This infography was originally created by Muslim for Progressive Values, an International Progressive Muslim organization, to raise awareness for human rights violation & educate people about true meaning of Sharia from a different lens

👉 For the part–2 click here

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[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

Allah/God is non-binary being. Allah/God transcends the rigid gender binaries or trancends the gender duality. In Quran, Allah/God has both feminine & masculine names/attributes. Allah is also referred as “divine feminine” or “woman” in Sufi cultures.

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🌈☪️ List of LGBTQI+ friendly Mosques and Muslim Congregations:

This is a list of mosques,muslim/islamic congregations that welcomes queer,trans,non-binary,intersex,BIPOC Muslims. The list is curated by Bangladeshi Bisexual Muslim @nakibistan. In this list some of the mosques/islamic congregations are radically “inclusive” to all folks. Please note that, some of the mosques & muslim congregations in this list only welcome to queer folks.

USA 🇺🇸

Atlanta Unity Mosque - Started by el-Tawhid Juma Circle & MPV

Unity Mosque, Columbus - Started by MPV-Columbus

MPV-LA Unity Mosque - Started by MPV-LA chapter

Unity Mosque, San Francisco - Started by MPV-SF Chapter

Unity Mosque, Boston - Started by MPV-Boston Chapter.

Unity Mosque, New York - Started by MPV-NY Chapter

Unity Mosque, Chicago - Started by MPV Chicago

New England Unity Mosque (NEUM), Massachusetts - the mosque was affiliated with eTJC

Masjid Daar ul-Gharib - a virtual women-led, queer-led mosque. It is inclusive to women, BIPOC & LGBTQI+ people.

Masjid an-Nural Issalah - MPV-DC & eTJC affiliated Mosque.

Masjid Al-Rabia, South Loop of downtown Chicago - BIPOC, Queer-friendly mosque.

Masjid al-Inshirah- Created by Pioneer Valley Progressive Muslims Org

Masjid-ul-Hub - An online mosque for LGBTQI+ Muslims

Masjid al-Musawa - An online platform for BIPOC & queer folks

Haven - Philly-based inclusive muslim congregation.

Rainbow Crescent Mosque - A virtual intersectional, queer-friendly mosque

Dergah al-Farah, Manhattan Downtown of NY - Sufi lodge of Nur Ashki Jerrahi Community.

Nur Ashki Jerrahi Michigan Dervish- Sufi lodge & congregation of Michigan area.

The Circle of Ishq - An inclusive Sufi lodge in Minneapolis,MN

Nur Ashki Jerrahi Pittsburg Drevish

The Atlanta Circle - Sufi lodge of Nur Ashki Jerrahi

La Order Sufi Yerraji/Nur Ashki al-Jerrahi Sufi Order of New Mexico

Masjed Fatimah - a shia centric queer-friendly mosque

Muslim Space, ATX - A texas-based BIPOC,queer-friendly,gender-inclusive Islamic centre

Redwood Unity Mosque Initiative (RUMI),CA - Its affiliated with eTJC(Don't know it still active or not)

Mercy Community Center

Qalbu Maryam Mosque, Berkeley,CA - a women-led,intersectional,queer-friendly mosque

Italy 🇮🇹

Moschea al-Kawthar/Al-kawthar Mosque - a virtual intersectional mosque for all

France 🇫🇷

Progressive Islamic Center, Marseille of Paris

Voice of an Enlightened Islam (VOIX) - a progressive,spiritual & radically inclusive congregation for all people. VOIX runs Simorgh Mosque in France

Mosquée de l'Unicité , Goutte d'Or, Paris - An intersectional, queer-friendly mosque

Fatima Mosque - A women-led, mixed-gender, liberal mosque

Musulmans Inclusifs de France - An progressive & inclusive congregations for French muslims

Frederico Joko Procopio's Buddhist Dojo, Paris

Canada 🇨🇦

Toronto Unity Mosque, Ontario - Its the first mosque of el-Tawhid Juma Circle (eTJC) Congregation.

Halifax Unity Mosque, Nova Scotia (Dont know it still active or not.Please contact eTJC for details)

Vancouver Unity Mosque ,British Columbia

Calgary Alberta Unity Mosque

Ottawa Valley Unity Mosque (OVUM)

Madison Unity Mosque

Kitchener Waterloo Unity Mosque

Mexico 🇲🇽

Tasním Nur Ashki Al Yerrahi, Cuernavaca- An radically inclusive sufi dervish for all

Germany 🇩🇪

Ibn Rushd Goethe Moschee,Berlin - A liberal,intersectional feminist mosque for Sunni, Shia, Sufi, BIPOC, Queer, Women, Men & Others

Liberal-Islamischer Bund e.V. - A largest feminist, liberal muslim congregation of German

UK 🇬🇧

Inclusive Mosque Initiative (IMI) - An inclusive congregation that opened first LGBTQI+ friendly, women-led mosque in Britain

Soho Mosque

Imaan LGBTQ+ Muslim Charity

Nur Ashki Jerrahi Order of UK - Sufi lodge of Leeds/London

Norway 🇳🇴

Masjid Al-Nisa - A women-led, LGBTQ+ friendly mosque in Oslo

Australia 🇦🇺

Australia's first Unity Mosque

MPV-Australia

South Africa 🇿🇦

Masjid ul-Ghurbaah - an inclusive mosque for marginalised muslims, run by al-Ghurbaah Foundation

Masjid ul-Umam/People's Mosque, Cape town - first egalitarian mosque of Africa

The Open Mosque - another egalitarian, mixed gender mosque of South Africa

Claremont Main Road Mosque, Cape town - mixed-gender mosque in South Africa. The mosque also welcome HIV+ people & LGBTQI+ members

Pakistan 🇵🇰

Rehmatul Alameen Masjid,Islamabad

Khusrain Wale Masjid/ Khusray Wale Masjid, Jalalpur of Punjab

Dargah of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar

Shrine of Shah Hussain/Madhoo Lal Hussain – An important site for queer & trans muslims where they can explore the divinity of love

India 🇮🇳

Hijron Ka Khanqah Delhi - A historical sufi khanqah with a small mosque. The mosque is only for muslim Hijras (an umbrella term for transgender,eunuch, transvestite,gender non-binary & intersex folks)

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Khawaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah

Nizamuddin Dargah

Hazrat Lal Shabaz Qalaander Dargah of Lengre Village, Sangli District in Maharashtra

Masjid-e-Mukhannisan/Hijron Wali Shahi Masjid, Lohamandi of Agra - A historical mosque was built by Emperor Akbar to honour his favourite Mukhannas Itibar Khan

Masjid Syed Gauhar Ali Shah Qadeem, Delhi - A male-led, hijra/transgender affirming mosque (This mosque doesn't allow woman to pray besides men)

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Pondok Pesantren Waria Al-Fatah, Yogyakarta - Indonesia's first Islamic centre for Warias (a colloquial term for trans woman in Indonesia)

Bangladesh 🇧🇩

Dakshin Char Kalibari Masjid - Bangladesh's first hijra mosque

Turkey 🇹🇷

Alevi Muslims are providing safe spaces for LGBTQI+ to pray

Ağalar Mosque of Topkapı Palace - a historical mosque for gender non-confirming eunuchs

[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

Bangladesh's Historic Pride Walk

Rongdhonu Shovajatra ( means "Rainbow Rally" in Bengali) was an annual pride held in Bangladesh. The pride rally was organized by Roopbaan. In 2014, during the Bengali New Year, members of Roopbaan and LGBTQI+ community participated in a parade in Sahabaag, Dhaka. It was a significant moment that remains memorable for many Bangladeshis, especially Queer Bangladeshis. However the Rongdhonu Shovajatra garnered considerable media attention and faced both support and backlash.

The pride was attended by many notable LGBTQI+ icons, such as, Xulhaz Mannan, Mahabub Rabbi Tonoy, Joya Shikder, Tanvir Annoy, Tanveer Rouf, Mazharul Islam, Rasel Ahmad, etc.

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[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

Muslim world's only mosque with Rainbow

I never imagine that there could be a mosque or masjid with a rainbow, especially in a conservative muslim-majority country. It can be a momentum for LGBTQIA+ muslims of Bangladeshi backgrounds to embrace the diversity of Allah. When I came know about this mosque, I was pretty shocked. It could be the only mosque in entire muslim world that has a vibrant rainbow minaret.

This mosque's name is Chawkbazar Shahi Jame Masjid, located in Chawkbazar, Puran-Dhaka. It was built by Emperor Shaista Khan. It is one of the oldest & largest mosques in Bangladesh. Guys, let me remind you of one thing: it is not a “LGBTQ+ friendly mosque." The mosque's rainbow minaret has also become a tourist attraction. It's ironic that the Bengali people living in this suburb have never had objections regarding the mosque's rainbow minaret. I think they are/were unaware of the symbolism of the rainbow, which stands for solidarity among queer and trans folks. BTW, there are some LGBTQI+ and hijra groups in the Puran-Dhaka suburb.

Homosexuality is a punishable offense in Bangladesh, under the British-inherited Penal Code Section 377. Hijras & kothis are visible queer individuals in South Asia. The South Asian term "hijra" refers to multiple genders, such as AMAB transgender individuals, transvestites, masculine women (intersex type), AMAB non-binary individuals, & intersex folks. The term doesn't include trans male. The term "kothi" specifically refers to transvestites, bottom gays, and effeminate males. Hijra community has existed since the early 10th century. In 2013, Bangladesh officially recognized hijras as a third gender. However, this subcultural gender minority still faces social stigma and discrimination.

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Resources for LGBT Muslims

Networks/groups:

[Trans Muslim Support Network]

[Muslim Europeans]

[Muslims for Progressive Values Rescources]

[Muslims for Progressive Values on Sexual Diversity in Islam]

[Bedayaa, Egypt and Sudan]

[H2M, France]

[Hidayah, UK]

[CALEM, Europe]

[Queer Muslim Project, India]

Tumblrs/Blogs:

[I am not Haraam]

[Queer Muslims]

[Transgender Muslims]

[Bisexual Bangaldeshi]

[You Know You’re A Queer Muslim When]

[Allah Made Me Queer]

[Just Me and Allah: A Queer Muslim Photo Project]

[The Huriyah Blog]

Reading:

[Op-ed: Islam and LGBT are Not Mutually Exclusive]

[Tuwais and the Mukhannathun (Transgender reading)]

[I need a proof from Quran and Sunnah that I’m not Haraam]

[Egyptian Fatwa]

[The Lut Problem]

[Embracing Ramadan in the LGBTQ Muslim Community]

[Seeking home: The lives of gay and transgender asylum seekers of the Middle East]

[How a transgender man tries to honour his Muslim faith]

[Coming Out in the Muslim Community]

Personal Issues:

[I’m losing my faith!]

Places:

[LGBT Muslim Retreat, a retreat for LGBT Muslims and their partners in Philadelphia, PA]

Masjid An-Nur Al-Isslaah, Washington D.C

The People’s Mosque, Cape Town South Africa

MPV Unity Mosque, 5998 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[MPV Unity Mosque, 3500 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA ]

[Masjid Al Quraan, Huston TX 5922 Hillcroft Street, Suite C]

[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

more resources for LGBT+ muslims 🕌🏳️‍🌈💖

i tried to compile as many as i could find, some of these aren’t specifically for muslim lgbt but i still think they could be useful to us. please share this post!

AMERICAN ORGS AND SITES

Muslims for Progressive Values

Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Al Gamea GLBT Association of Middle Eastern Americans

Tarab NYC

South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association

Trikone Organization for LGBT South Asians

OUTMuslim

Mecca Institute

Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

INTERNATIONAL ORGS AND SITES

Hidayah LGBTQI+ Muslims (UK)

Imaan LGBTQ Muslim Charity (UK)

London Queer Muslims (UK)

Confederation of Associations LGBTQIA Euro-African or Muslim (France)

Merhaba Organization (Belgium)

Maruf LGBT Muslim Organization (Netherlands)

Helem LGBTQI+ Legal Network (Lebanon)

Abaad Center for Gender Equality (Lebanon)

IraQueer (Iraq)

Ahwaa Forum for LGBT in MENA

Pan-Africa LGBTI Association

Shams Association (Tunisia)

LGBTI Association (Turkey)

Al-Qaws Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society

Aswat Palestinian Gay Women

LGBT Muslims Information (Indonesia)

Sher LGBT South Asians (Canada)

Salaam Canada

Boys of Bangladesh

Marhaba Muslim LGBTQI Support Group (Australia)

HELPLINES

Crisis Text Line (741741)

GLBT National Help Center (1 888-843-4564, 1 800-246-7743 for youth)

AlKhat LGBT Chat and Helpline (Arabic only)

Desi LGBTQ Helpline for South Asians (908-367-3374)

The Trevor Project (1 866-488-7386)

INCLUSIVE MOSQUES

El Tawhid Juma Circle, Toronto Unity Mosque: Toronto, Canada

Masjid Al-Rabia: Chicago, US

Masjid an-Nur al-Isslaah, Light of Reform Mosque: Washington D.C., US

Inclusive Mosque Initiative: London, UK

The Inner Circle: Cape Town, South Africa

PDFS and READINGS

Homosexuality in Islam by Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle

Coming home to Islam and to self

Resources for religion and faith: Islam

Recommended resources for LGBTQ American Muslims

Finding mental health care that fits your cultural background

LGBTQ lecture series by Imaam Daayjee Abdullah (YouTube)

Islamic Texts: A source for acceptance of queer individuals into mainstream Muslim society by Muhsin Hendricks

Is there room in Islam for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Muslims? by Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle

I am not Haraam

Report on Muslim LGBT inclusion

Longest Days, Sacred Nights: Queer/trans Ramadan stories

Quranic values as an inspiration for gay marriage

Excerpt from The Qur’an and Homosexuality by Olfa Youssef

Just Me and Allah: A queer Muslim photo project by Samra Habib

Queer Muslim tumblr masterpost

if any of the links are outdated or incorrect let me know!

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Rainbow coloured divisions of Bangladesh

[bangladeshiqueermuslims]

Welcome to Bangladeshi Queer Muslims !

Bangladeshi Queer Muslims was founded by @nakibistan in 2019. We welcomes all Queer, Trans, Ace/A-spec folks from Bangladesh,Bengali/South Asian Diaspora.

We are a diverse,intersectional collective of LGBTQIA+ Muslim Bengali. Our aim is to empower and amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ muslims of Bengali/Bangladeshi heritage & origin. We started our journey in 2019 when we saw a rise of hatred against LGBTIQ+ folks in Bangladesh. We want to create a large network of Bangladeshi/Bengali QTPoC folks.