Who We Are
Founded in 2012, Maruf is a Dutch-based, non-profit, non-governmental organization.
Our work is anchored in two key entities: Maruf Live and Maruf Hub.
- Maruf Live is a community-driven initiative that provides mutual support, empowerment, and autonomous spaces for queer Muslims. It highlights the experiences of multiple forms of discrimination faced by queer Muslims, while inspiring the community and allies to navigate these challenges collectively.
- Maruf Hub is a cross-disciplinary center that operates at the intersection of activism, art, and academia. Through our in-house think tank, EqualityLab, we generate insights that strengthen the queer Muslim movement and its allies. Our work is disseminated through publications, public events, lectures, panels, and conferences.
BoardAmplifying Queer Muslim Voices since 2012
Vision
We envision a world where queer Muslims enjoy equal opportunities, are free to express all their identities, and are empowered to achieve their full potential.
We aim to create a world where justice, equality, freedom, acceptance, and dignity are protected and serve as the cornerstone of all human relationships; a world free from exclusion and discrimination.
Mission
Our mission is to understand the present and anticipate the future, empowering queer Muslims to unlock their full potential.
Maruf is a pioneering organization led by queer Muslims.
We build upon decades of grassroots efforts to confront societal challenges faced by queer Muslims and their allies.
Maruf works at the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, and religion. We demonstrate that pluralism is not just an ideal, but a lived reality within Muslim communities. Whether it’s standing up against homophobia, islamophobia, mass surveillance, racial profiling, or dangerous cultural stereotypes, we are working together to build a society where queer Muslims can thrive.
Maruf is committed to addressing the marginalization of Muslim communities caused by structural Islamophobia, including its gendered and queered forms, by focusing on promoting transformative and healing justice. Our guiding belief is that every individual deserves the freedom to express their beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status without fear.
At Maruf, we believe that addressing local, national, and global challenges requires open, meaningful dialogue where everyone is free to share their experiences. Our platform gives a voice to those who are often silenced, ensuring their contributions shape the broader human rights movement. Collaboration and partnership are central to our work; we strengthen the queer Muslim movement by supporting our partners and allies, fostering connections, and building synergies. By bringing together diverse voices, we work collectively to create a more inclusive and just society.
Maruf is committed to building inclusive societies grounded in human rights, the rule of law, open society, and democratic values.
Our Commitment
At Maruf, we are dedicated to the following goals:
- Facilitating Empowerment and Growth: We create spaces where individuals and organizations can come together to strengthen the queer Muslim movement by connecting, empowering, and supporting queer Muslims and their allies.
- Building and Sharing Knowledge: We are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the intersections between beliefs, sexual orientation, intersex status, and gender identity through education and knowledge sharing.
- Advocating for Social Change: We work to drive change at multiple levels, promoting greater social acceptance of queer Muslims both in the Netherlands and globally.
- Strengthening the Movement: We aim to build a strong and sustainable queer Muslim movement, empowering communities locally and abroad to advocate for their rights.
- Combating Discrimination: We are determined to combat discrimination in all its forms, including racism, religious intolerance, and biases based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status.
- Fostering Collaboration: We actively facilitate partnerships and collaborations between queer Muslims, civil society, and governments to promote inclusion and equality.
Maruf’s Framework JEFAD
At the core of Maruf’s work is the Maruf Framework, which is built on five fundamental principles. These principles guide all our efforts to create a world free from exclusion and discrimination. Each of our projects, activities, and programs is designed to uphold and advance one or more of these pillars, ensuring that we consistently work toward our vision.
The five pillars – Justice, Equality, Freedom, Acceptance, and Dignity (JEFAD) – are the foundation upon which we build our initiatives. These principles are deeply rooted in both Quranic teachings and human rights values, affirming our commitment to fostering an inclusive and just society.
Justice
Equality
Freedom
Acceptance
Dignity
Moving Toward a Just and Inclusive Future
Maruf has made significant strides in promoting equality and empowerment for queer Muslims, but there is still work ahead. As we move forward, we remain committed to shaping public discourse and influencing policymaking by addressing intersectional discrimination related to race, gender, class, and other systems of oppression.
Our work spans critical areas such as empowerment, employment, education, artificial intelligence, migration, asylum, and health, ensuring that we address the diverse challenges faced by queer Muslims. Through strategic collaboration, advocacy, and leadership-building, we continue to push for a world where queer Muslims are free to express their identities and pursue their aspirations.
Maruf’s Pathways to Transformation
At Maruf, we are dedicated to advancing our fundemental principles of Justice, Equality, Freedom, Acceptance, and Dignity (JEFAD) in every aspect of our work. Our goal is to empower queer Muslims and their allies, promote dignity, and build inclusive communities. To achieve this, we have established four key pathways that guide all our projects, activities, and programs, ensuring that everything we do is aligned with our vision, mission, and principles.
These pathways are divided into two primary categories:
Empower & Educate
Maruf is committed to building a strong and sustainable queer Muslim movement by providing comprehensive empowerment and support to individuals, communities, and organizations. Through our personal, leadership, and organizational development programs – such as the Queer Muslim Empowerment Program and the Queer Muslim Voyagers Program – we empower queer Muslims and their allies to take action.
We create safe, supportive environments where queer Muslims can gather, share experiences, and grow in their journey toward self-acceptance. Our workshops and training programs promote equality, cultivate leadership, and foster collective care, ensuring that future leaders of the movement are equipped to advance our shared goals. Additionally, we provide training and lectures for professionals, helping them better understand and support queer Muslims in various sectors, including education and healthcare.
Elevate & Engage
Maruf strengthens the queer Muslim movement by expanding its reach and deepening its impact, both nationally and internationally. We have established robust networks and collaborations with allies. For example, our ICRA Conference – the largest gathering of queer Muslims in one place – creates a unique space for knowledge sharing and community building. Additionally, we facilitate the European Queer Muslim Network and foster interfaith collaboration through our Queer Interfaith Network, connecting individuals and organizations committed to inclusivity and social justice.
Our presence extends beyond events. Through panel discussions, opinion pieces, and our online platform, we actively engage in public discourse to raise awareness and foster change. Our website serves as a hub for resources, connecting queer Muslims and their allies, and mobilizing them toward collective empowerment and transformation.
By leveraging these pathways, Maruf continues to advance its mission of creating an inclusive, just society where queer Muslims can thrive and lead.
Maruf’s Values
Assertive
Maruf is committed to equality, which means taking brave steps and challenging the status quo. We do not shy away from difficult conversations, as we believe these dialogues are essential for driving positive change. We engage with open hearts, speaking with those who are willing to listen and respect our dignity as equals.
Independent
Maruf operates as an independent, nonprofit organization with no affiliations to political parties, government entities, or ideological institutions. As part of the broader queer Muslim movement, we collaborate with diverse networks of individuals and organizations working toward intersectional justice, regardless of formal partnerships.
Intersectional
At Maruf, we recognize that all forms of injustice are interconnected and must be addressed simultaneously. We believe that true social justice and equality can only be achieved when societies are fully inclusive and embrace everyone.
Interconnected
Our efforts to combat inequality extend beyond national borders, as the systems of oppression we challenge operate on a global scale. Maruf promotes exchange, learning, and solidarity across the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond. We understand that systemic inequalities are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, and we work toward addressing them collectively to achieve lasting progress.
Decolonial
Maruf contributes to social justice efforts in post-colonial and diasporic communities by adopting a decolonial approach. We explore how colonial histories and post-colonial realities continue to shape today’s challenges. Our work focuses on decolonizing knowledge around Islam, gender, and sexuality, while fostering a deeper understanding of their intersections.
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