Muslim Women’s Group to Hold Vigil for Orlando Victims in Dupont Circle
A local advocacy group centered around Muslim women will hold a candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle tonight to stand against homophobia, transphobia and Islamophobia.
The Muslim American Women’s Policy Forum (MAWPF) will host the event tonight at 7:30 p.m. Abiha Bilgrami, one of the event’s organizers, said tonight’s vigil is meant to remember the victims of the mass shooting in an Orlando gay nightclub that left 50 people dead and 53 more wounded.
“The victims of the shooting were people of color, and that’s something that’s not being addressed in the media,” Bilgrami said.
The event is also meant to combat homophobia, transphobia and Islamophobia, and will include speeches and statements by queer Muslim men and women, Bilgrami added.
“The Muslim American Women’s Policy Forum is hosting a vigil to mourn the lives of people killed and wounded in Orlando, Florida due to homophobic and transphobic violence,” organizers wrote in a statement. “We are calling on communities to reject using Islamophobia and xenophobia as a response to fighting homophobic and transphobic violence.”
Attendees are encouraged to dress in black and bring signs, candles and a rose to lay at the base of the fountain.
Read more about the vigil and RSVP for the event on its Facebook event page:
The Muslim American Women’s Policy Forum is hosting a vigil to mourn the lives of people killed and wounded in Orlando, Florida due to homophobic and transphobic violence.
For Muslims who are observing Ramadan and are able to fast, we ask that you fast in solidarity with the victims and their families in Orlando.
– We are also calling on our communities to stand with LGBTQI community members and address transphobic and homophobic violence.
– We are calling on communities to reject using Islamophobia and xenophobia as a response to fighting homophobic and transphobic violence.
– As a group centered on Muslim communities, our thoughts are also with our Muslim LGBTQ friends at this difficult time.Please wear all Black and bring candles and signs tomorrow.
