Queer Muslim Empowerment Program (QMEP)
The Queer Muslim Empowerment Program focuses on fostering self-acceptance and building resilience within the queer Muslim communities. This program offers tailored training enabling participants to drive change within their own contexts. Through this program, participants gain critical knowledge about the intersection of Muslimness, gender, and sexual diversity, while cultivating the confidence to navigate their identities within both Muslim and broader communities.
Maruf has successfully facilitated twenty rounds of QMEP, supporting more than 400 participants, with a diverse composition of 35% male, 40% female, and 25% trans or nonbinary identifying individuals. Additionally, the average age of participants is between 21 and 27. Our program is grounded in creating a safe and supportive environment, where participants are empowered to embrace their identities and overcome societal pressures. Our end goal is to create different ways to foster collective care.
Program Highlights
Comprehensive Curriculum: The program spans a series of workshops that cover vital topics, including Islam and sexual/gender diversity, self-acceptance, coping with societal rejection, and leadership development. Participants read and discuss variety of texts, explore the relationship between gender and sexuality in Muslim contexts, and learn how to effectively communicate with their surroundings.
Leadership Focus: QMEP encourages participants to become “changemakers” within their own communities, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead social change. By engaging in leadership development, participants are empowered to take active roles in community building.
Over the course of 12 years of evaluation, participants have consistently conveyed a high level of appreciation for the workshops and the program’s comprehensive approach to fostering self-acceptance and leadership development.
“I gained so much clarity about my identity and learned to be proud of who I am. QMEP has given me the tools to face the world with confidence, and I know that Maruf will always be there to support me.”
Sarah, 24
“During the program, I realized that the knowledge you gain through the informative sessions gives you a positive boost in how you think about yourself and life. I no longer need to compare myself to others.”
Yasmine, 21
“This program gave me the tools to embrace my true self. For the first time, I feel empowered as both a queer person and a Muslim. It changed my life and gave me the strength to stand proud in my identity.”
Ahmed, 32
“Through QMEP, I learned to accept myself fully, without shame or fear. It has shown me that I am not alone, and that there is a community of support and love that I never knew existed.”
Adi, 25
“This program taught me that self-acceptance is the first step to empowering others. I now feel confident to lead and support those who are struggling with their identity, just as I was.”
Abdullah, 31
“QMEP opened doors I didn’t even know were possible for me. It gave me the courage to live authentically and showed me that I can be a changemaker within my community.”
Baris, 28
“The support and knowledge I gained from this program not only changed how I see myself, but it also gave me the tools to help others who are on a similar journey. It’s more than a program—it’s a movement for acceptance and empowerment.”
Rosa, 36
Support Queer Muslims
QMEP is a critical part of Maruf’s broader mission to empower queer Muslims and foster leadership in their communities. However, as the program grows, so does the need for additional resources and capacity to serve more individuals. With the increasing number of participants, particularly non-Dutch speakers, we aim to expand QMEP’s reach and develop new materials in multiple languages. Your support can help us continue providing vital resources to some of the most vulnerable members of the queer Muslim community. By supporting QMEP, you are directly contributing to the empowerment of queer Muslims, enabling them to embrace their identities, lead social change, and thrive in an inclusive, supportive environment.
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