2000年国际穆斯林同志大会将召开

(作者或来源) 穆斯林同志和朋友 gaymuslims@yahoo.com以最仁慈、最亲爱的真主的名义

新闻发布
Al-Fatiha基金会（Al-Fatiha Foundation，穆斯林同志和朋友，LGBTQ Muslims & Friends）

LGBTQ的意义：lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning

联系地址：
Al-Fatiha基金会
美国纽约市电话 (212) 752-3188
电子信箱：gaymuslims@yahoo.com
http://www.al-fatiha.org/mlists.html

2000年国际穆斯林同志大会将召开
LGBTQ Muslims Announce Plans for International Gathering in 2000

1999年12月14日，Al-Fatiha基金会发布通知，给组织将于2000年5月在英国伦敦召开一次国际会议，欢迎世界各地穆斯林同志参加。

"…And we (have) created you into nations and tribes… so that you may know one another…" - The Holy Quran (49:13)

"This international gathering will bring together Muslims from around the world who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) in a safe and spiritual environment, where they can discuss issues important to the community."   - Faisal Alam, Founder & Director,
Al-Fatiha Foundation

December 14, 1999 - The Al-Fatiha Foundation, an international organization dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and their friends, announced today its plans for an international gathering to be held in London, England, in May of 2000.

Following meetings held between Al-Fatiha representatives and local LGBTQ Muslims, community members in London agreed to host Al-Fatiha's Second International Retreat.   The Second International Retreat for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Muslims and their Friends is tentatively planned to be held from May 26 - 29, 2000.   In announcing the retreat, Faisal Alam, the Founder & Director of the Al-Fatiha Foundation said that, "this international gathering will bring together Muslims from around the world who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) in a safe and spiritual environment, where they can discuss issues important to the community."

The Second International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims & Friends will be the first time that Al-Fatiha has sponsored an event outside of the United States and Canada.   The will bring together LGBTQ Muslims from all over England and Europe in addition to the many people that are expected to come from other locations around the globe.   The goal of the retreat is to bring together LGBTQ Muslims and their friends to discuss issues important to the community.   "Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Muslims abandon Islam because they cannot reconcile their religion with their sexual orientation or gender identity.   We hope that by meeting other LGBTQ Muslims and by sharing individual experiences, people can begin understand that these two important identities are not exclusive to one another." said Faisal
Alam.

The Al-Fatiha Foundation also announced that UNISON, the United Kingdom's largest trade union for the public sector passed a resolution endorsing Al-Fatiha and its upcoming retreat in London.   The resolution was submitted by the National Black Lesbian and Gay Members Caucus and passed by UNISON's National Lesbian and Gay Conference to support Al-Fatiha and its activities.

The Al-Fatiha Foundation was formed in October of 1998 at the First International Retreat for LGBTQ Muslims & Friends, held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.   More than thirty participants gathered from four countries representing thirteen nationalities and ethnicities.   In May of 1999, the Al-Fatiha Foundation held its First North American Conference in New York City, New York, USA.   More than sixty participants came together and participated in fifteen workshops and five plenary sessions.   Workshop and plenary session topics included: HIV/AIDS in the Muslim community, Coming Out to Muslim families, Human Rights and LGBTQ Muslims, The Quran and Homosexuality, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues and Islam.  

Since Al-Fatiha's for