Al-Fatiha Foundation facts for kids
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The Al-Fatiha Foundation was an organization that worked to support Muslim people who are also part of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. It was started in 1997 by Faisal Alam, an American whose family came from Pakistan. This group was set up as a nonprofit organization in the United States. Imam Daayiee Abdullah was also a leader on the board of the Al-Fatiha Foundation.
How the Al-Fatiha Foundation Started
The Al-Fatiha Foundation began as an online group where many Muslims who identified as gay, lesbian, or were questioning their identity could connect. This online group brought together people from about 25 different countries. By 1998, the organization had grown and started many in-person groups in different places.
Al-Fatiha had 14 local groups in the United States. It also had offices in other countries like England, Canada, Spain, Turkey, and South Africa.
What "Al-Fatiha" Means
The name "Al-Fatiha" means "the Opening." This name is also used for the first chapter, or surah, of the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. At the beginning of that surah, God (Allah) is described as being very kind and merciful. The people who started the Al-Fatiha Foundation believed that these qualities – kindness and mercy – truly show what Islam is about, rather than feelings of hate or fear towards people who are different.
Gatherings and Events
Each year, the Al-Fatiha Foundation held a special meeting and conference for its members from all over the world. Some of the first conferences took place in cities like Boston, New York, and London in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These meetings often focused on how people could find peace between their religious beliefs and their personal identity.
