Du’a Queer Muslim Connection Peer Support Group

Open to all LGBTQ individuals who identify as Muslim

Du’a is a confidential and safe space providing peer support to LGBTQ individuals who identify as Muslim, whether culturally, spiritually, or otherwise.

Du’a is a word meaning ‘personal prayer’ in Arabic, the language of the Islamic holy texts. In Islam, Du’a is differentiated from everyday prayer, being used for special occasions and personalized for every individual.

The group, Du’a, is a collective of LGBTQ Muslims of all ages wanting to connect with one another and build community. Our meetings are a queer-positive, trans-positive safe space where we can come together, discuss the difficulties and joys of our lives in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. In addition to our group meetings, we also occassionally organize social and cultural activities.

Who: Du’a is open to all LGBTQ individuals who identify as Muslim, whether culturally, spiritually, or otherwise. The group is a peer support environment, so we ask that if you do not identify as LGBTQ and Muslim, that you do not attend this group at this time. If you are generally interested in Islam or LGBTQ issues and would like to learn more, feel free to contact the facilitators.

When: 4^th Thursday of each month (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)

Where: Contact us directly for information about the location of our meetings.

We welcome all your questions, concerns and ideas. If you are interested in attending our group, contact us for the location of our meeting and other details. Email dua@thewellhamilton.ca or call 905-525-0300.

Confidential and safe

If you contact us or attend the group, we will not disclose your information to anyone under any circumstances, unless you give us permission. Members of the group are free to establish with us any safety or confidentiality concerns or requirements they may have. Due to the reality of queer and trans Muslims in Canada, we do not disclose the location of our monthly support group meetings. If you would like to attend, contact us directly and we will go from there.

Giving you a voice

We believe that Du’a has a strong role to play in providing queer and trans Muslims with their own voice. Already, there have been many people who wish to speak on our behalf, whether to vilify us or our religion and cultures. Du’a believes that we should speak for ourselves, from our experiences and realities on the issues that affect our everyday lives. We are an anti-racist and anti-sexist organization that opposes all forms of oppression against us and other humans we share this world with.