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Tate Modern talks_lectures

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir

5 March 2020 at 19.00–20.00
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Portrait of the Speakers

Photograph of Samra Habib courtesy of Yuula Benivolski

Join us for a celebration of We Have Always Been Here with Samra Habib and Sanah Ahsan

Samra Habib’s story is a memoir of hope, faith and love. It starts with growing up as part of a threatened minority sect in Pakistan. It then follows her arrival in Canada as a refugee, before escaping an arranged marriage at sixteen. When she realized she was queer, it was yet another way she felt like an outsider.

It's a journey that takes her to the far reaches of the globe to uncover a truth that was within her all along. It shows how Muslims can embrace queer sexuality, and families can embrace change. A triumphant story of forgiveness and freedom, We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir is a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt alone. It's a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one’s truest self.

Biographies

Samra Habib

Samra Habib is a writer, photographer, and activist. As a journalist she’s covered topics ranging from fashion trends and Muslim dating apps to the rise of Islamophobia in the US. Her portraits have been exhibited at the V&A in London. She works with LGBTQ organizations, raising awareness of issues that impact queer Muslims around the world.

Sanah Ahsan

Sanah Ahsan is a Queer Pakistani Muslim Womxn, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Spoken Word Artist, Channel 4 Reporter and TEDx Speaker. She is currently conducting research to deconstruct whiteness within clinical psychology, whilst developing community projects promoting further dialogue around QTIPOC and spaces for queer muslim womxn. Sanah works with the WOW Festival with her talk ‘Women of Colour and Mental Health’ discussing how do gender and race affect mental health care and why do women of colour often go unheard. Sanah recently won the Outspoken Prize 2019.

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5 March 2020 at 19.00–20.00

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