September 2026: Resisting the Playbook of Oppression

Bismillah-arahman-araheem.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

In the last 25 years, since the start of the War on Terror, Queer and Trans folks have been weaponized against other marginalized identities (e.g. the National Women’s Action Plan (2016) to save Queer and Trans folks from Muslims, Palestinians). At the same time, we have been targeted by the very same systems that are supposedly trying to save us—a practice that predates the War on Terror and lives on from 1492.  

There is a playbook of oppression that we are facing as a community – even beyond Turtle Island. Parliamentary elections will happen in Morocco in September and civil engagement is at an all time low. Anti-trans SCOTUS rulings are happening fast. This month we focus on resistance to the playbook of oppression as it moves through official channels – the frameworks that are used to target our communities.

Accessibility Note

We are honored to offer ASL services throughout this training program! ASL is available with at least two weeks request. Please email hey@themasgd.org to request ASL services.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee ASL with less than two weeks notice. We will do our best to honor these types of requests.

Session Topics

Session 1 | Special Conversation on Prayer & Community, presented by MASGD community member: September 4, 2026 @ 10 - 11 AM PT / 1 - 2 PM ET

Not a part of September’s theme, but we are still offering jummah!

Session 2 | 25 Years: Trans and Queer Implications of the War on Terror, presented by Safwan: September 11, 2026 @ 10 - 11 AM PT / 1 - 2 PM ET

Session 3 | Grief of Terror: Grieving our humanness, presented by Yaffa: September 18, 2026 @ 10 - 11 AM PT / 1 - 2 PM ET

Discussing the ways we are impacted psychologically and spiritually when we are viewed as inhuman because of our Muslimness, our transness, our queerness, our disabilities and pathways to navigate that grief. 

Session 4 | Insights into Anti-Trans SCOTUS Rulings, presented by Gabriel Arkles: September 25, 2026 @ 10 - 11 AM PT / 1 - 2 PM ET

Gabriel Arkles was previously a senior staff attorney with the ACLU's LGBT and HIV Project. His work includes protecting transgender people from discrimination and fighting the criminalization of HIV.

Session 5 | Moroccan Parliamentary Elections and Ramifications for Queer & Trans Community, presented by Safwan: October 2, 2026 @ 10 - 11 AM PT / 1 - 2 PM ET