Hidayah Virtual Book Club for LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies

In this book club, we will discuss the latest chosen title, We Wrote in Symbols: Love and Lust by Arab Women Writers, edited by Selma Dabbagh.

It is a little-known secret that Arabic literature has a long tradition of erotic writing. Behind that secret lies another – that many of the writers are women. We Wrote in Symbols celebrates the works of 75 of these female writers of Arab heritage who articulate love and lust with artistry and skill.

Here, a wedding night takes an unexpected turn beneath a canopy of stars; a woman on the run meets her match in a flirtatious encounter at Dubai Airport; and a carnal awakening occurs in a Palestinian refugee camp. From a masked rendezvous in a circus, to meetings in underground bars and unmade beds, there is no such thing as a typical sexual encounter, as this electrifying anthology shows. Powerfully conveying the complexities and intrigues of desire, We Wrote in Symbols invites you to share these characters’ wildest fantasies and most intimate moments.

To get the most out of the session, please ensure you have read the book ahead of time. We will be getting in to the key themes and how they represent what it is to be an LGBTQ+ Muslim/person of colour.

We have partnered with an LGBTQI+ founded and run bookstore – The Bookish Type, who have kindly provided a 20% discount for any Hidayah Book Club members who wish to purchase each of our titles, via their online and retail stores. Details will be provided with the order confirmation to each Hidayah Book Club event.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Deenah on programs@hidayahlgbt.co.uk.