Feminist Imams – From Imagining to Planning

In-person: 6.30pm -8.30pm

Online: 6.40pm – 8.30pm

This might be the first time a mosque has invited its community to craft the role description for its imams. We’re inviting the Inclusive Mosque community to join us in-person or online to discuss what the essential criteria should be for Feminist Imams and what the desirable skills and knowledge should be. What do we hope for from feminist imams? What could their role look like? Also crucially, how can the IMI community support our imams and how can we move towards a collective, accountable and safe model of faith leadership? We look forward to seeing you there! Ticket are available via Eventbrite

We aim to explore this topic in a way that expands and challenges our understanding of gender so that we aren’t perpetuating a gender binary. Instead, we hold at the root of this conversation the belief that people of every gender and none are equal in spirituality, separated only by the content of our character. We believe that women and gender diverse people belong in leadership positions in Muslim communities, including leading prayers and that we should be using the word ‘imam’ when we describe people who lead prayers.

We will be asking our community how they can support Feminist Imams to lead and be of service to the community.

This is a hybrid event where some attendees will be online and some in-person. The facilitators will chair the conversation so that online and in-person attendees can be part of one joined up discussion. The chat function will be on if folks prefer to contribute that way.

Who is this event for?

• Muslims who feel the need to consciously remove patriarchal attitudes, practices and environments from mosque spaces.
• Muslims with children who want to show them an example of powerful feminist leadership.
• Muslims who are concerned that the practice of feminism in Muslim spaces will mimic White Feminism and imperial, colonial practices and lean into carceral Feminism (if these are jargon terms to you, let’s explore them in the discussion)
• Muslims who want to be part of discussions within their homes about Feminist Islam and challenge the marginalisation of women, nonbinary and genderqueer people in Muslim communities.
• LGBT+ Muslims who want to see mosque spaces that value and reflect their existence without imposing a gender binary.
• Muslims who are ready to plan and contribute to a mosque that encourages a feminist approach to mosque leadership.

Who is this event not for?

• If you are a journalist or a researcher doing research or journalism on this topic, we ask that you not attend. Our community deserves a place to speak, brainstorm and feel without voyeurs.
• If you want to debate Inclusive Mosque, this event is not for you. We don’t believe that learning and understanding happens through debate and this is a group discussion rather than a debate. It’s important that all attendees understand we aren’t trying to convince you of anything, you are entitled to your own beliefs, opinions and practices.
• We ask that everyone who attends this event contributes in good faith with the intention to listen and learn from others as well as contribute your thoughts. For a successful discussion, we all need to arrive with open hearts. If you try to stir hostility here we will ask you to leave.

Accessibility
We will be holding this discussion in a wheelchair accessible ground floor room near a wheelchair accessible ground floor toilet. Gender neutral toilets are available. We can use the area just outside the room for anyone who needs quiet space but please be aware that this quiet space is not a completely private area. If you need a free ticket, please feel free to use the promo code free1532 when you go to buy tickets. Remember to click ‘apply’ when you enter the code.

Image description: The Inclusive Mosque halaqa image. A digital illustration of a person of colour with long hair holding a book surrounded by plants. The text reads Inclusive Halaqa, From Imagining to Planning Feminist Imams. Friday 22nd November 2024 6.30-8.30pm online and in-person. The wheelchair accessible symbol is underneath the text.

• Activism
• Discussion
• Prayers
• Spirituality