by Maryam Din (they/she)
TransActual’s Director for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
As a non-binary Muslim, the convergence of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) and Eid al-Fitr feels profoundly significant – a moment where two core parts of my identity are celebrated simultaneously. For many LGBTQ+ Muslims, this overlap is an opportunity to reflect on the intersections of faith, gender and resilience, while also navigating the complexities of existing in spaces that don’t always recognise our full selves.
✨ A dual celebration of resilience and joy
Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the end of Ramadan – a month of fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims worldwide. It’s a time of celebration, gratitude and community, where families and friends come together to pray, share meals, exchange gifts and give to those in need.
Eid symbolises the rewards of patience, perseverance and faith. After a month of spiritual discipline through fasting and charity, Muslims celebrate the blessings they’ve received and reaffirm their commitment to compassion and generosity.
As the Qur’an reminds us:
“Surely with hardship comes ease.” (94:7)
This message resonates deeply today, as many around the world face hardship – from economic struggles to conflicts. Eid reminds us that resilience and solidarity can lead to hope and renewal. This message also resonates deeply with trans communities, who understand all too well the struggles of enduring oppression while striving for liberation.
Similarly, Trans Day of Visibility is a day to uplift trans lives, honour our contributions and demand recognition in a world that often seeks to erase us. For trans Muslims, this day carries added weight – we exist at the crossroads of identities that are frequently pitted against each other, yet we persist, embodying the truth that being trans and Muslim is not just possible but beautiful.
✨ The challenges of existing at the intersection
While both occasions are rooted in celebration, they also highlight the ongoing struggles faced by trans Muslims. Many in our community experience rejection from religious spaces, Islamophobic discrimination and racism within LGBTQ+ circles and the constant pressure to justify our existence. The same faith that teaches
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (2:286)
is weaponised against us, despite Islam’s deep traditions of gender diversity and compassion.
This Eid, as we rejoice in the blessings of community, we must also acknowledge those who are marginalised within it – trans Muslims, especially those in crisis zones like Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, the Congo and beyond, who face compounded violence. Our solidarity must extend to them, affirming that their struggles are ours and their liberation is inseparable from our collective justice.
✨ A call for inclusive solidarity
For allies, this dual observance is an opportunity to reflect on how support can be truly inclusive:
- Recognise LGBTQ+ Muslims: Celebrate our existence not as a contradiction but as a testament to the diversity of both faith and identity.
- Challenge Islamophobia, racism and transphobia: Stand against bigotry in all forms, whether it targets Muslims, trans people, or most crucially – those of us who are both.
- Create space for intersectional voices: In workplaces, mosques and LGBTQ+ spaces, ensure that trans Muslims are heard, respected and included.
As a non-binary Muslim, I find hope in the overlap of these two days – a reminder that my transness and my faith are not in conflict but in conversation. Eid is a celebration of divine mercy and TDOV is a celebration of trans resilience. Together, they affirm that we are whole, we are loved and we are worthy of belonging.
To my trans siblings, Muslim or otherwise: You are seen. You are loved.
To my Muslim community, trans or otherwise: Eid Mubarak.
May this day bring us closer to a world where all of us are free to celebrate every part of ourselves without fear.