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{{short description|Homosexual Muslim activist}}
{{short description|Gay Muslim activist}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Gay Daayiee Abdullah
|name = Daayiee Abdullah
|image =
|image =
|birth_name =Sidney Thompson
|birth_name =Sidney Thompson
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|party =
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'''Daayiee Abdullah''' (born '''Sidney Thompson''' {{lang-ar|داعي عبد الله}})<ref name="voice-online1">{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Juliana |url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/meet-america%E2%80%99s-first-gay-black-imam |title=Meet America's first gay black imam |publisher=The Voice Online |date=2013-12-24 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913055423/http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/meet-america%E2%80%99s-first-gay-black-imam |archive-date=2018-09-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |author=Max Rodriguez |url=http://www.law.udc.edu/news/74079/Imam-Daayiee-Abdullah-95-New-LGBT-Friendly-Mosque-to-Host-Community-Forum.htm |title=Imam Daayiee Abdullah '95, New LGBT-Friendly Mosque to Host Community Forum |publisher=UDC David A. Clarke School of Law |date=October 4, 2011 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306235738/http://www.law.udc.edu/news/74079/Imam-Daayiee-Abdullah-95-New-LGBT-Friendly-Mosque-to-Host-Community-Forum.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is an American [[Imam]] based in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="voice-online1"/><ref name="alarabiya1">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2013/04/18/Same-sex-marriage-and-the-Muslim-community-in-the-U-S-.html |title=Washington Imam marries gay Muslim couples despite backlash |publisher=Al Arabiya News |date=18 April 2013 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref name="pennington1">{{cite web|last=Pennington|first=Rosemary|title=Daayiee Abdullah: Being out and being Muslim|url=http://muslimvoices.org/daayie-abdullah-being-out-muslim/|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103132823/http://muslimvoices.org/daayie-abdullah-being-out-muslim/|archive-date=2017-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Abdullah is said to be one of five [[openly gay]] Imams in the world (the others being [[Muhsin Hendricks]] of South Africa, [[Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed]] of France, [[El-Farouk Khaki]] of Toronto's el-Tawhid Juma Circle/The Unity Mosque, and [[Nur Warsame]] of [[Australia]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2458 |title=A Man for All Seasons: Imam Daayiee Abdullah offers a gay Muslim's insights for the holidays: Feature Story section |publisher=Metro Weekly magazine |date=2006-12-21 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=57953 |title=Gay Muslims Struggle To Find Inclusion |publisher=PrideSource |date=2013-01-17 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5gkg7n/life-as-a-gay-imam-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds|title=Life as a Gay Imam Isn't as Bad as It Sounds|website=www.vice.com|accessdate=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gay-muslim-imam-brings-message-of-tolerance-to-europe-a-985863.html|title=Gay Muslim Imam Brings Message of Tolerance to Europe - DER SPIEGEL - International|first=Takis|last=Würger|website=www.spiegel.de|accessdate=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref> Abdullah was a member of and spiritual advisor of the [[Al-Fatiha Foundation]] until it closed in 2011.<ref name="abdullah1">{{cite web|last=Abdullah|first=Imam Daayiee|title=Daayiee's Place of Inner Peace|url=http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/}}</ref>
'''Daayiee Abdullah''' ({{lang-ar|داعي عبد الله}}, born '''Sidney Thompson''')<ref name="voice-online1">{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Juliana |url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/meet-america%E2%80%99s-first-gay-black-imam |title=Meet America's first gay black imam |publisher=The Voice Online |date=2013-12-24 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913055423/http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/meet-america%E2%80%99s-first-gay-black-imam |archive-date=2018-09-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |author=Max Rodriguez |url=http://www.law.udc.edu/news/74079/Imam-Daayiee-Abdullah-95-New-LGBT-Friendly-Mosque-to-Host-Community-Forum.htm |title=Imam Daayiee Abdullah '95, New LGBT-Friendly Mosque to Host Community Forum |publisher=UDC David A. Clarke School of Law |date=October 4, 2011 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306235738/http://www.law.udc.edu/news/74079/Imam-Daayiee-Abdullah-95-New-LGBT-Friendly-Mosque-to-Host-Community-Forum.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is an American [[Imam]] based in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="voice-online1"/><ref name="alarabiya1">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2013/04/18/Same-sex-marriage-and-the-Muslim-community-in-the-U-S-.html |title=Washington Imam marries gay Muslim couples despite backlash |publisher=Al Arabiya News |date=18 April 2013 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref name="pennington1">{{cite web|last=Pennington|first=Rosemary|title=Daayiee Abdullah: Being out and being Muslim|url=http://muslimvoices.org/daayie-abdullah-being-out-muslim/|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103132823/http://muslimvoices.org/daayie-abdullah-being-out-muslim/|archive-date=2017-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Abdullah is said to be one of five [[openly gay]] Imams in the world (the others being [[Muhsin Hendricks]] of South Africa, [[Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed]] of France, [[El-Farouk Khaki]] of Toronto's el-Tawhid Juma Circle/The Unity Mosque, and [[Nur Warsame]] of [[Australia]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2458 |title=A Man for All Seasons: Imam Daayiee Abdullah offers a gay Muslim's insights for the holidays: Feature Story section |publisher=Metro Weekly magazine |date=2006-12-21 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=57953 |title=Gay Muslims Struggle To Find Inclusion |publisher=PrideSource |date=2013-01-17 |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5gkg7n/life-as-a-gay-imam-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds|title=Life as a Gay Imam Isn't as Bad as It Sounds|website=www.vice.com|date=14 February 2014 |accessdate=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gay-muslim-imam-brings-message-of-tolerance-to-europe-a-985863.html|title=Gay Muslim Imam Brings Message of Tolerance to Europe - DER SPIEGEL - International|first=Takis|last=Würger|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=13 August 2014 |accessdate=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref> Abdullah was a member of and spiritual advisor of the [[Al-Fatiha Foundation]] until it closed in 2011.<ref name="abdullah1">{{cite web|last=Abdullah|first=Imam Daayiee|title=Daayiee's Place of Inner Peace|url=http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/}}</ref>
As a Muslim leader, Abdullah's homosexuality has caused controversy due to the traditionally upheld beliefs about [[LGBT in Islam|male homosexuality in Islam]].<ref name="alarabiya1"/>
As a Muslim leader, Abdullah's homosexuality has caused controversy due to the traditionally upheld beliefs about [[LGBT in Islam|male homosexuality in Islam]].<ref name="alarabiya1"/>


== Early life and education==
== Early life and education==
Abdullah was born in 1954 as Sidney Thompson in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Eldin|first=Rasheed|title=Daayiee Abdullah: Imam of perversion|url=http://gaymuslims.org/2008/01/11/daayiee-abdullah-imam-of-perversion|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403021905/http://gaymuslims.org/2008/01/11/daayiee-abdullah-imam-of-perversion/|archive-date=2015-04-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metroweekly1">{{cite news|last=O'Bryan|first=Will|title=A Man for All Seasons|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2458}}</ref> He is [[African American]]. His parents supported him, his six older brothers, his younger sister, and his oldest step-sister from his father's first marriage to find religion despite his parent's [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] beliefs.<ref name="pennington1"/><ref name="metroweekly1"/> When he was 8 years old, he visited a [[Synagogue]], a [[Hindu temple]], and an assortment of [[Christianity|Christian]] denominations.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> None of these religions he had explored fit him exactly, so he continued to search for a religion he could put his faith into. He converted to Islam at age 30.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>
Abdullah was born in 1954 as Sidney Thompson in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Eldin|first=Rasheed|title=Daayiee Abdullah: Imam of perversion|url=http://gaymuslims.org/2008/01/11/daayiee-abdullah-imam-of-perversion|access-date=2011-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403021905/http://gaymuslims.org/2008/01/11/daayiee-abdullah-imam-of-perversion/|archive-date=2015-04-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metroweekly1">{{cite news |last=O'Bryan |first=Will |title=A Man for All Seasons |url=http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=2458 |work=Metro Weekly}}</ref> He is [[African American]]. His parents supported him, his six older brothers, his younger sister, and his oldest step-sister from his father's first marriage to find religion despite his parents' [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] beliefs.<ref name="pennington1"/><ref name="metroweekly1"/> When he was 8 years old, he visited a [[synagogue]], a [[Hindu temple]], and an assortment of [[Christianity|Christian]] denominations.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> None of these religions he had explored fit him exactly, so he continued to search for a religion he could put his faith into. He converted to Islam at age 30.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>
When Abdullah was 15, he graduated from high school early because he had gone to summer school most summers.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Along with summer school, he and his family traveled around North America so that he could see what the world was truly like.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> His parents believed that once a member of the family had graduated high school, he was an adult.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Knowing this, Abdullah [[Coming out|came out]] to his parents, and was accepted after assuring his parents that they had "done nothing wrong."<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Abdullah has said that he knew he was attracted to other boys at the age of five.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> His parents, now both deceased, were a source of inspiration and confidence for him growing up.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>
When Abdullah was 15, he graduated from high school early because he had gone to summer school most summers.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Along with summer school, he and his family travelled around [[North America]] so that he could see what the world was truly like.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> His parents believed that once a member of the family had graduated high school, he was an adult.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Knowing this, Abdullah [[Coming out|came out]] to his parents, and was accepted after assuring his parents that they had "done nothing wrong."<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Abdullah has said that he knew he was attracted to other boys at the age of five.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> His parents, now both deceased, were a source of inspiration and confidence for him growing up.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>


Abdullah graduated from the [[David A. Clarke School of Law]] in Washington, D.C. in 1995 as a [[juris doctor]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He attended the [[Cordoba University|Graduate School of Islamic Social Sciences]] in [[Ashburn, Virginia]] from 2000 to 2003, but was kicked out when the school discovered he was gay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgbtran.org/Profile.aspx?ID=304 |title=Daayiee Abdullah • Profile|publisher=LGBT-RAN |date= |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref>
Abdullah was a Community Scholar at [[Georgetown University]] studying Chinese<ref>{{cite web |title=Imam Daayiee Abdullah Profile |url=https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/daayiee-abdullah |website=LGBTQ Religious Archives Network |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref> and graduated from the [[David A. Clarke School of Law]] in Washington, D.C. in 1995 as a [[juris doctor]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He attended the [[Cordoba University|Graduate School of Islamic Social Sciences]] in [[Ashburn, Virginia]] from 2000 to 2003, but was expelled when the school discovered he was gay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgbtran.org/Profile.aspx?ID=304 |title=Daayiee Abdullah • Profile|publisher=LGBT-RAN |date= |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref>


==Career==
==Activism==
{{Update|date=March 2014}}
{{Update|date=March 2014}}
{{See also|LGBT in Islam#LGBT movements within Islam}}
{{See also|LGBT in Islam#LGBT movements within Islam}}
In 1978, Abdullah went to [[Washington D.C.]] for a conference because he was working for Governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s office in San Francisco.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Then, in 1979 he returned to D.C. for the National March on Washington for [[LGBT social movements|Lesbian and Gay Rights]] as one of the coordinators.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Because he was a coordinator, he went a week early and then stayed a week later for his vacation only to return a month later.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> After two weeks in [[San Francisco]], he decided that he wanted to live in D.C.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>
In 1978, Abdullah went to [[Washington D.C.]] for a conference because he was working for Governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s office in San Francisco.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> In 1979, he returned to D.C. as a coordinator for the National March on Washington for [[LGBT social movements|Lesbian and Gay Rights]].<ref name="metroweekly1" /> Because he was a coordinator, he went a week early and then stayed a week later for his vacation only to return a month later.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> After two weeks in [[San Francisco]], he decided that he wanted to live in D.C.<ref name="metroweekly1" />
In the 80's Abdullah began his tenure at Georgetown University and spent several years at Beijing University and Taiwan National University [[Peking University|Beijing University]].<ref name="metroweekly1"/> He studied the Chinese language and literature, and later Arabic, Arabic Linguistics, North African, and [[Middle Eastern Studies]], and several years working and studying in Muslim countries.<ref name="abdullah1"/><ref name="metroweekly1"/> Some of his classmates were from [[Ürümqi]], and were Chinese Muslims.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> They asked him what he knew of Islam, which led to being invited to his very first [[Beijing]] Mosque.<ref name="abdullah1"/><ref name="metroweekly1"/> At this first mosque, Abdullah understood everything that was being said and knew this was the faith he had been searching for.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> At age 30, he became a Muslim and chose to sometimes go by the name Daayiee Abdullah. He didn't add on the title [[Imam (Sunni Islam)|Imam]] until later.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>


In the 1980s, Abdullah began his tenure at Georgetown University and spent several years at Beijing University and Taiwan National University [[Peking University|Beijing University]].<ref name="metroweekly1" /> He studied the Chinese language and literature, and later Arabic, Arabic Linguistics, North African, and [[Middle Eastern Studies]], and several years working and studying in Muslim countries.<ref name="abdullah1" /><ref name="metroweekly1" /> Some of his classmates were Chinese Muslims from [[Ürümqi]],<ref name="metroweekly1" /> who invited him to a [[Beijing]] Mosque, the first mosque he had visited.<ref name="abdullah1" /><ref name="metroweekly1" /> Following that experience, at age 30, he became a Muslim and adopted the Islamic name Daayiee Abdullah. He didn't add on the title [[Imam (Sunni Islam)|Imam]] until later.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> Abdullah would go on to study Islam in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Meagan |date=2015-06-15 |title=Meet Daayiee Abdullah, America's gay imam |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/meet-daayiee-abdullah-america-s-gay-imam-1.3109051 |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=CBC}}</ref>
Around 2000, he joined the online [[Yahoo!]] group [https://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuslimGayMen/ Muslim Gay Men].<ref name="metroweekly1"/> On this forum, there were many who were gay, but were intent on telling those who were seeking help that the Qur'an forbids homosexuality.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Abdullah refuted these comments by explaining that one is to follow the [[Qur'an]] first and the [[Haddith]] second.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>{{how|date=April 2014}} Through this, he began to gain popularity among homosexuals and allies across the online community.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>
One of the reasons he had begun to be called Imam was because he has performed many ceremonies for people in who were considered pariahs in their community due to illnesses or the gender or religion of the person they wished to marry.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> A few gay Muslims died of [[AIDS]], and no one would do their [[Salat al-Janazah|Janazah]].<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Abdullah also performed [[same-sex marriages]] for men and women and counseling for all couples—heterosexual and homosexual.<ref name="metroweekly1"/> Along with performing these ceremonies that others would not, he married mixed couples and religiously differing couples who are from the [[Abrahamic religions|Abrahamic faith]].<ref name="abdullah1"/><ref name="metroweekly1"/> Because the Abrahamic faiths are sister religions, and because the Qu'ran says that Abrahamic believers can interact with other Abrahamic believers, Abdullah believes that it is plausible to marry between Abrahamic religions.<ref name="metroweekly1"/>


He was the business manager at Georgetown Fitness Center from 2007 to 2009. Abdullah, under his legal name Sidney Thompson, is the CEO of Asiad & Associates, a software company in Washington, D.C.
He was the business manager at Georgetown Fitness Center from 2007 to 2009. Abdullah, under his legal name Sidney Thompson, is the CEO of Asiad & Associates, a software company in Washington, D.C.


===Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah===
=== Pro-LGBT activism ===
Around 2000, he joined the online [[Yahoo!]] group [https://archive.today/20130210043834/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuslimGayMen/ Muslim Gay Men].<ref name="metroweekly1" /> On this forum, there were many who were gay, but were intent on telling those who were seeking help that the Qur'an forbids homosexuality.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> Abdullah refuted these comments by explaining that one is to follow the [[Qur'an]] first and the [[Haddith]] second.<ref name="metroweekly1" />{{how|date=April 2014}} Through this, he began to gain popularity among homosexuals and allies across the online community.<ref name="metroweekly1" />
Abdullah created an [[LGBT]]-friendly [[Mosque|masjid]] in Washington D.C. Later, in 2011, he helped create a mosque for anyone who wanted to attend located in a public library in D.C.<ref name="colin1">{{cite news|last=Colin|title=Library Serves as Reformist Mosque|url=http://insideislam.wisc.edu/2011/01/library-serves-as-reformist-mosque/|newspaper=Wisconsin Public Radio}}</ref> The plan is to raise funds to create a purpose-built mosque of their own where all are free to worship.<ref name="colin1"/> Since 2000, Abdullah has provided specialized counseling services for Muslims from a wide spectrum of Muslim religious and cultural backgrounds.<ref name="abdullah1"/>


He began being called Imam after performing ceremonies for people who were considered pariahs in their community due to illnesses or the gender or religion of the person they wished to marry.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> For example, Abdullah has performed [[Salat al-Janazah|Janazah]] for gay Muslims who have died from [[AIDS]]-related complications.<ref name="metroweekly1" />
Abdullah is the imam and religious director of Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah (English: "Mosque for Enlightenment and Reformation" or "Light of Reform Mosque"), an LGBT-welcoming mosque.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/MPV-WASHINGTON__DC_2.html |title=MPV-WASHINGTON, DC 2 |publisher=Daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214100618/http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/MPV-WASHINGTON__DC_2.html |archive-date=2013-12-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Imam Daayiee was Director of LGBT Outreach at Muslims for Progressive Values from 2010 until 2014 and remains on the Advisory Board of [[Muslims for Progressive Values]].<ref name="abdullah1"/> He also holds a position in [[Oslo|Oslo, Norway]] at Skeiv Verden ("Gay World").<ref name="abdullah1"/><ref name="macfarquhar2007">{{cite news|last=Macfarquhar|first=Neil|title=Gay Muslims Find Freedom, of a Sort, in the U.S.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/us/07gaymuslim.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=November 7, 2007}}</ref> Since 2014, Imam Daayiee Abdullah is Executive Director of MECCA Institute, an educational and research organization whose mission is to help re-educate Muslims and non-Muslims on an inclusive and progressive Islamic theology.

Abdullah also performs [[same-sex marriages]] for men and women and counseling for all couples—heterosexual and homosexual.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> He has also married religiously differing couples who are from the [[Abrahamic religions|Abrahamic faith]].<ref name="abdullah1" /><ref name="metroweekly1" /> Because the Abrahamic faiths are sister religions, and because the Qu'ran says that Abrahamic believers can interact with other Abrahamic believers, Abdullah believes that it is plausible to marry between Abrahamic religions.<ref name="metroweekly1" /> In 2015, Abdullah reported having officiated 65 marriages.<ref name=":0" />

Since 2000, Abdullah has provided specialized counseling services for Muslims from a wide spectrum of Muslim religious and cultural backgrounds.<ref name="abdullah1" />

Abdullah was Director of LGBT Outreach at Muslims for Progressive Values from 2010 until 2014 and remains on the advisory board of [[Muslims for Progressive Values]].<ref name="abdullah1" /> He also holds a position in [[Oslo|Oslo, Norway]] at Skeiv Verden ("Gay World").<ref name="abdullah1" /><ref name="macfarquhar2007">{{cite news |last=Macfarquhar |first=Neil |date=November 7, 2007 |title=Gay Muslims Find Freedom, of a Sort, in the U.S. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/us/07gaymuslim.html |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref>

Abdullah was a board member of the round table of the [[Al-Fatiha Foundation]] for several years.<ref name="abdullah1" /> From 2011 to 2012, he served as part of the Queer Muslim Working Group, which evolved into the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity |url=http://www.muslimalliance.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805082228/http://www.muslimalliance.org/ |archive-date=2014-08-05 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |publisher=Muslimalliance.org}}</ref> Abdullah also has served on the planning team for the LGBT Muslim Retreat<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=About Us |url=http://www.lgbtmuslimretreat.com/about-us.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230101037/http://www.lgbtmuslimretreat.com/about-us.php |archive-date=2019-12-30 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |publisher=Lgbtmuslimretreat.com}}</ref> since 2011.

===Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah===
Abdullah created an [[LGBT]]-friendly [[Mosque|masjid]] in Washington D.C in 2011, called Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah (English: "Mosque for Enlightenment and Reformation" or "Light of Reform Mosque"), of which he is the imam and religious director.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Toesland |first=Finbarr |date=2019-04-01 |title=Affirming mosques help gay Muslims reconcile faith, sexuality |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/affirming-mosques-help-gay-muslims-reconcile-faith-sexuality-n988151 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MPV-WASHINGTON, DC 2 |url=http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/MPV-WASHINGTON__DC_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214100618/http://daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com/MPV-WASHINGTON__DC_2.html |archive-date=2013-12-14 |accessdate=2014-03-06 |publisher=Daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Azmat |date=2013-12-20 |title=Meet America’s first openly gay imam |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/america-tonight-blog/2013/12/20/meet-america-s-firstopenlygayimam.html |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=america.aljazeera.com}}</ref> The mosque was initially hosted by a public library in D.C.,<ref name="colin1">{{cite news|last=Colin|title=Library Serves as Reformist Mosque|url=http://insideislam.wisc.edu/2011/01/library-serves-as-reformist-mosque/|newspaper=Wisconsin Public Radio}}</ref> with a plan to raise funds to create a purpose-built mosque of their own.<ref name="colin1"/>


===Al-Fatiha Foundation===
=== MECCA Institute ===
In 2015, Abdullah founded the Mecca Institute, a self-described "inclusive and progressive online Islamic seminary," in Washington D.C.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maloney |first=Susan |date=2017-02-10 |title=Openly gay Muslim leader shares life story, hopes to change perceptions of identity |url=https://badgerherald.com/news/2017/02/10/openly-gay-muslim-leader-shares-life-story-hopes-to-change-perceptions-of-identity |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=The Badger Herald}}</ref>
Abdullah was a board member of the round table of the [[Al-Fatiha Foundation]] for several years.<ref name="abdullah1"/> From 2011 to 2012, he served as part of the Queer Muslim Working Group, which evolved into the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muslimalliance.org |title=Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity |publisher=Muslimalliance.org |date= |accessdate=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805082228/http://www.muslimalliance.org/ |archive-date=2014-08-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Abdullah also has served on the planning team for the LGBT Muslim Retreat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgbtmuslimretreat.com/about-us.php |title=About Us |publisher=Lgbtmuslimretreat.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref> since 2011.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[African American Muslims#Black Muslim movements|African American Muslim converts]]
*[[African American Muslims#Black Muslim movements|African American Muslim converts]]
*[[Islam in Washington, D.C.]]
*[[LGBT in Islam]]
*[[LGBT in Islam]]
*[[Al-Fatiha Foundation#Fatwa|Al-Fatiha Foundation Fatwa]]
*[[Al-Fatiha Foundation#Fatwa|Al-Fatiha Foundation Fatwa]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdullah, Daayiee, Imam}}
[[Category:American imams]]
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[[Category:LGBT Muslims]]
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Gay men]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:African-American religious leaders]]
[[Category:American Muslim activists]]
[[Category:African-American Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:Sunni imams]]
[[Category:LGBT people from Michigan]]
[[Category:Religious leaders from Michigan]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from Christianity]]
[[Category:David A. Clarke School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Georgetown University alumni]]
[[Category:University of Michigan alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American activists]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American activists]]
[[Category:20th-century imams]]
[[Category:20th-century imams]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBT people]]
[[Category:21st-century imams]]
[[Category:21st-century imams]]
[[Category:Activists from Detroit]]
[[Category:Activists from Detroit]]
[[Category:21st-century LGBT people]]
[[Category:African-American activists]]
[[Category:African-American LGBT people]]
[[Category:African-American Muslim clergy]]
[[Category:African-American Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:American gay men]]
[[Category:American imams]]
[[Category:American LGBT rights activists]]
[[Category:American Muslim activists]]
[[Category:Converts to Sunni Islam from Christianity]]
[[Category:David A. Clarke School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Gay Muslims]]
[[Category:Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:LGBT imams]]
[[Category:LGBT people from Michigan]]
[[Category:Religious leaders from Michigan]]
[[Category:Sunni imams]]

Revision as of 08:37, 13 February 2024

Daayiee Abdullah
Born
Sidney Thompson

1954 (age 69–70)
EducationGeorgetown University (BSLA)
University of Michigan (MA)
University of the District of Columbia (JD)
OccupationImam

Daayiee Abdullah (Arabic: داعي عبد الله, born Sidney Thompson)[1][2] is an American Imam based in Washington, D.C.[1][3][4] Abdullah is said to be one of five openly gay Imams in the world (the others being Muhsin Hendricks of South Africa, Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed of France, El-Farouk Khaki of Toronto's el-Tawhid Juma Circle/The Unity Mosque, and Nur Warsame of Australia).[5][6][7][8] Abdullah was a member of and spiritual advisor of the Al-Fatiha Foundation until it closed in 2011.[9] As a Muslim leader, Abdullah's homosexuality has caused controversy due to the traditionally upheld beliefs about male homosexuality in Islam.[3]

Early life and education

Abdullah was born in 1954 as Sidney Thompson in Detroit, Michigan.[2][10][11] He is African American. His parents supported him, his six older brothers, his younger sister, and his oldest step-sister from his father's first marriage to find religion despite his parents' Southern Baptist beliefs.[4][11] When he was 8 years old, he visited a synagogue, a Hindu temple, and an assortment of Christian denominations.[11] None of these religions he had explored fit him exactly, so he continued to search for a religion he could put his faith into. He converted to Islam at age 30.[11] When Abdullah was 15, he graduated from high school early because he had gone to summer school most summers.[11] Along with summer school, he and his family travelled around North America so that he could see what the world was truly like.[11] His parents believed that once a member of the family had graduated high school, he was an adult.[11] Knowing this, Abdullah came out to his parents, and was accepted after assuring his parents that they had "done nothing wrong."[11] Abdullah has said that he knew he was attracted to other boys at the age of five.[11] His parents, now both deceased, were a source of inspiration and confidence for him growing up.[11]

Abdullah was a Community Scholar at Georgetown University studying Chinese[12] and graduated from the David A. Clarke School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1995 as a juris doctor.[2] He attended the Graduate School of Islamic Social Sciences in Ashburn, Virginia from 2000 to 2003, but was expelled when the school discovered he was gay.[13]

Activism

In 1978, Abdullah went to Washington D.C. for a conference because he was working for Governor Jerry Brown's office in San Francisco.[11] In 1979, he returned to D.C. as a coordinator for the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.[11] Because he was a coordinator, he went a week early and then stayed a week later for his vacation only to return a month later.[11] After two weeks in San Francisco, he decided that he wanted to live in D.C.[11]

In the 1980s, Abdullah began his tenure at Georgetown University and spent several years at Beijing University and Taiwan National University Beijing University.[11] He studied the Chinese language and literature, and later Arabic, Arabic Linguistics, North African, and Middle Eastern Studies, and several years working and studying in Muslim countries.[9][11] Some of his classmates were Chinese Muslims from Ürümqi,[11] who invited him to a Beijing Mosque, the first mosque he had visited.[9][11] Following that experience, at age 30, he became a Muslim and adopted the Islamic name Daayiee Abdullah. He didn't add on the title Imam until later.[11] Abdullah would go on to study Islam in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.[14]

He was the business manager at Georgetown Fitness Center from 2007 to 2009. Abdullah, under his legal name Sidney Thompson, is the CEO of Asiad & Associates, a software company in Washington, D.C.

Pro-LGBT activism

Around 2000, he joined the online Yahoo! group Muslim Gay Men.[11] On this forum, there were many who were gay, but were intent on telling those who were seeking help that the Qur'an forbids homosexuality.[11] Abdullah refuted these comments by explaining that one is to follow the Qur'an first and the Haddith second.[11][how?] Through this, he began to gain popularity among homosexuals and allies across the online community.[11]

He began being called Imam after performing ceremonies for people who were considered pariahs in their community due to illnesses or the gender or religion of the person they wished to marry.[11] For example, Abdullah has performed Janazah for gay Muslims who have died from AIDS-related complications.[11]

Abdullah also performs same-sex marriages for men and women and counseling for all couples—heterosexual and homosexual.[11] He has also married religiously differing couples who are from the Abrahamic faith.[9][11] Because the Abrahamic faiths are sister religions, and because the Qu'ran says that Abrahamic believers can interact with other Abrahamic believers, Abdullah believes that it is plausible to marry between Abrahamic religions.[11] In 2015, Abdullah reported having officiated 65 marriages.[14]

Since 2000, Abdullah has provided specialized counseling services for Muslims from a wide spectrum of Muslim religious and cultural backgrounds.[9]

Abdullah was Director of LGBT Outreach at Muslims for Progressive Values from 2010 until 2014 and remains on the advisory board of Muslims for Progressive Values.[9] He also holds a position in Oslo, Norway at Skeiv Verden ("Gay World").[9][15]

Abdullah was a board member of the round table of the Al-Fatiha Foundation for several years.[9] From 2011 to 2012, he served as part of the Queer Muslim Working Group, which evolved into the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity in 2013.[16] Abdullah also has served on the planning team for the LGBT Muslim Retreat[17] since 2011.

Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah

Abdullah created an LGBT-friendly masjid in Washington D.C in 2011, called Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah (English: "Mosque for Enlightenment and Reformation" or "Light of Reform Mosque"), of which he is the imam and religious director.[18][19][20] The mosque was initially hosted by a public library in D.C.,[21] with a plan to raise funds to create a purpose-built mosque of their own.[21]

MECCA Institute

In 2015, Abdullah founded the Mecca Institute, a self-described "inclusive and progressive online Islamic seminary," in Washington D.C.[18][22]

Personal life

In 2006, Abdullah was in a long-term relationship of ten years. His partner was Christian, which is one of the reasons he performs religious ceremonies between Abrahamic religions.[11]

As of 2015, Abdullah was declared single, claiming that the pressure on his closeted partner was too much for the relationship.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Lucas, Juliana (2013-12-24). "Meet America's first gay black imam". The Voice Online. Archived from the original on 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  2. ^ a b c Max Rodriguez (October 4, 2011). "Imam Daayiee Abdullah '95, New LGBT-Friendly Mosque to Host Community Forum". UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  3. ^ a b "Washington Imam marries gay Muslim couples despite backlash". Al Arabiya News. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  4. ^ a b Pennington, Rosemary. "Daayiee Abdullah: Being out and being Muslim". Archived from the original on 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  5. ^ "A Man for All Seasons: Imam Daayiee Abdullah offers a gay Muslim's insights for the holidays: Feature Story section". Metro Weekly magazine. 2006-12-21. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  6. ^ "Gay Muslims Struggle To Find Inclusion". PrideSource. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  7. ^ "Life as a Gay Imam Isn't as Bad as It Sounds". www.vice.com. 14 February 2014. Retrieved Dec 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Würger, Takis (13 August 2014). "Gay Muslim Imam Brings Message of Tolerance to Europe - DER SPIEGEL - International". Der Spiegel. Retrieved Dec 21, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Abdullah, Imam Daayiee. "Daayiee's Place of Inner Peace".
  10. ^ Eldin, Rasheed. "Daayiee Abdullah: Imam of perversion". Archived from the original on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac O'Bryan, Will. "A Man for All Seasons". Metro Weekly.
  12. ^ "Imam Daayiee Abdullah Profile". LGBTQ Religious Archives Network. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Daayiee Abdullah • Profile". LGBT-RAN. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  14. ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Meagan (2015-06-15). "Meet Daayiee Abdullah, America's gay imam". CBC. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  15. ^ Macfarquhar, Neil (November 7, 2007). "Gay Muslims Find Freedom, of a Sort, in the U.S." New York Times.
  16. ^ "Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity". Muslimalliance.org. Archived from the original on 2014-08-05. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  17. ^ "About Us". Lgbtmuslimretreat.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  18. ^ a b Toesland, Finbarr (2019-04-01). "Affirming mosques help gay Muslims reconcile faith, sexuality". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  19. ^ "MPV-WASHINGTON, DC 2". Daayieesplaceofinnerpeace.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  20. ^ Khan, Azmat (2013-12-20). "Meet America's first openly gay imam". america.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  21. ^ a b Colin. "Library Serves as Reformist Mosque". Wisconsin Public Radio.
  22. ^ Maloney, Susan (2017-02-10). "Openly gay Muslim leader shares life story, hopes to change perceptions of identity". The Badger Herald. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  23. ^ Kuruvilla, Carol (10 April 2015). "6 Questions With A Gay Imam, Daayiee Abdullah". Huffington Post. Retrieved 27 November 2015., "," Huffington Post, April 10, 2015, retrieved November 27, 2015.