'We're not deterred': London's LGBTIQ+ Muslim festival postponed due to coronavirus

"We're not deterred from celebrating LGBTIQ+ Muslim identities and look forward to welcoming you all in December, inshallah."

ImaanFest

ImaanFest was set to take place this weekend. Source: EyeEm

London was set to host the this weekend, but has rescheduled the event to December due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spearheaded by the UK's leading , ImaanFest organisers.

"Over the weekend the Imaan team has been in discussion about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the implications for our Muslim Pride event, ImaanFest in London on Saturday 11th April 2020," Imaan tweeted last week.

"Because of the fast-moving situation and uncertainty around how the pandemic will evolve, we've taken the difficult decision to postpone the event until Saturday 12th December 2020."

The statement continued: "Tickets will be valid for the new date but refunds are available from EventBrite for those who are no longer able to attend.
"We know this will be a huge disappointment and inconvenience but given the gravity of the situation with this virus, we hope you'll agree it's the sensible thing to do."

"Please bear with us as we work now to reschedule for the new date, especially if you have any specific non-urgent questions."

The organisation's statement concluded: "We're not deterred from celebrating LGBTIQ+ Muslim identities and look forward to welcoming you all in December, inshallah."

Prior to being postponed, ImanFest was gaining momentum across social media, being described as the "perfect counter-narative" to usual depictions of Muslim culture in the mainstream media.

“The media has tried to control the narrative about Queer Islamic identities for too long, often thrusting us into a horrific culture war, as if Islam is the mortal enemy of queer identity,” British-Iraqi filmmaker Amrou Al-Kadhi, who was set to appear at the event, previously said in a statement.

“Imaan Fest, Muslim Pride is the perfect counter-narrative, reveling in the joys of queer Muslim identities, and giving us the chance to make our own space.”

Share
Published 6 April 2020 12:36pm
Updated 7 April 2020 10:49am
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


Share this with family and friends


SBS News in your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS News
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
The day's top stories from SBS News.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our sbs podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch SBS On Demand
Over 11,000 hours

Over 11,000 hours

News, drama, documentaries, SBS Originals and more - free.