Al-Fatiha Foundation

Al Fatiha ( named after the first Koran sura ) is a worldwide Muslim organization that is aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims and their families and friends.

Al Fatiha want according to their self-presentation promoting the Islamic notions of peace, equality and justice, and in the U.S. is a registered non -profit organization. There are chapters in seven U.S. cities (Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver and Washington DC ), one in Toronto and sister organizations in the UK ( Eemaan, 250 members in 2002 ), Canada ( Salaam ) and South Africa ( al- fitrah ). Worldwide, the organization has approximately 900 members in 2002.

History

In November 1997, the then 19 -year-old Pakistani native Faisal Alam began with a mailing list for LGBT Muslims. In March 1998, first met four members of the list who knew personally not a single LGBT Muslims until then, in Washington, DC At a further meeting of over 40 people in Boston Al Fatiha was founded. The participants came from 13 nations and ethnic groups, mostly lived in America, but four participants came from South Africa, Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands. The first local association was after a few months in Toronto and in 1999 the first local chapter outside of North America was founded in London. In January 1999, Al Fatiha has been registered in the United States formally recognized as tax-exempt, non-profit religious organization. In 2002 it was decided on a strategy planning session that the U.S. Al- Fatiha is supposed to work only on issues of the United States. You should have the name Al- Fatiha Foundation, manage members and maintain contact with sister organizations in other countries. In 2002, a board was installed in the currently sit eight people.

For Anglo-American media, the organization has grown to become a recognized partner. Reports on the organization also appeared in Bangladesh, India, South Africa, the Middle and Far East.

In 2004, Faisal Alam has handed over the management to the Board members Khalida Syed Asif Sayed and Hassan.