#87 - For Imams, Chaplains and Community Leaders

A Way Beyond the Rainbow

This episode is a discussion with Imam Dawud Walid on the current challenges facing imams, chaplains and community leaders given the current global pro-LGBT socio-political climate, and how we, as Muslim communities, can help our imams and community leaders navigate these challenges so they can, in turn, effectively help their communities.
What are some of the struggles that imams and community leaders face in their mosques and communities as far as issues related to same-sex attractions or gender dysphoria? Why are imams scattered when it comes to these matters and not unified in their stance? What is the "jurisdiction" of imams and community leaders in that regard, and what is out of their league? How can we support our imams, chaplains and community leaders as we pave our way together amidst all of these challenges? These and other questions are explored in this episode.
Imam Dawud Walid's books:
- Towards Sacred Activism
- Blackness and Islam
- Centering Black Narrative: Black Muslim Nobles Among the Early Pious Muslims
- Centering Black Narrative: Ahl al-Bayt, Blackness & Africa

Chapters

1. #87 - For Imams, Chaplains and Community Leaders (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:00:37)

3. Introduction of Imam Dawud Walid (00:03:30)

4. On Imam Dawud's Experience with LGBT Matters (00:10:27)

5. On Challenges Facing Imams, Chaplains and Community Leaders (00:14:18)

6. On Why Imams and Community Leaders are Scattered on this Issue (00:29:28)

7. On Counseling Muslims Struggling with SSA or GD (00:36:47)

8. On Counseling Parents and Families (00:43:43)

9. On the Jurisdiction of Imams and What is Beyond Them (00:49:54)

10. Survey Responses from the Straight Struggle Online Community (00:55:38)

11. On How Muslim Communities Could Support Imams and Community Leaders (01:38:30)

12. Contact Information (01:45:31)

13. Ending Remarks (01:49:12)