Queer Muslim Futures Archive
The Queer Muslim Project, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi, is seeking submissions for Queer Muslim Futures, a digital living archive of the new and evolving stories of South Asian queer Muslim lives.
The archive brings together stories from the everyday to the extraordinary that celebrate and explore queerness in Islamic History, Myth, and contemporary South Asian culture.
We aim to create an accessible mixed media archive, to be made available digitally and as a limited edition zine. This platform aspires to empower queer Muslims from the region to define their own narratives within mainstream literature, cinema and visual arts.
Presented on our website, the project will serve as a living archive, providing a platform for artists and audience members to contemplate our shared past, present, and the evolving identities and narratives that represent South Asian queer Muslim culture.
We invite you to contribute your art, writing and other creative outputs to help us shape this vital and transformative projec
Themes
The application invites poets, writers, photographers, illustrators, and visual artists based in South Asia to share proposals on the following themes:
- Queer Muslims in the Here and Now: Share coming-of-age stories about the mundaneness of queer Muslim lives, emphasising the nuances of their relationships with family and community, their love interests, and their aspirations and dreams.
- Queerness in Islamic History and Mythology: Draw from historical text tales and mythology that you heard as a child or a young adult and uncover the possibilities of queerness and present a reimagined poetic, inclusive and hopeful reading of history and folklores of divine mythical creatures.
- Queerness and Muslimness in Mainstream South Asian Media: Explore the cultural impact of films, literature, music, and fashion on the broader queer narrative in South Asia. Shed light on the artistic, literary, and cinematic excellence of queer Muslims, celebrating and honouring the splendour of being both queer and Muslim.
What we are looking for
The archive will feature 12 stories centred on the themes mentioned above. We seek diverse content that can take various forms, here are a few examples:
- A ‘what if’ story that reimagines history
- A photo essay exploring the gentleness of queer love
- An anthem/rap song for queer Muslims
- An essay on generations of queer Muslim writers and artists finding community
- A fashion photo shoot that explores Muslim queer icons
- A modern love story between trans individuals challenging restrictive ideas of gender, faith and sexuality
- Poetry capturing the beauty and mundaneness of everyday queer lived experiences
The possibilities are endless. Here are some forms you might consider:
- Short Essays: Maximum 1500 words
- Written interviews: Maximum 1000 Words
- Poems: Up to 3 poems
- Photo Essays: A series of 5-10 photos on a particular theme with a short description (150-200 words)
- Digital Visual Art: 3-6 Pieces
- Illustrations: 3-6 Illustrations
Application Process
The application is only open to poets, writers, photographers, illustrators, and visual artists based in South Asia.
We encourage you to share stories that stem from personal experiences and vulnerabilities, allowing the audience to gain a deeper understanding of your motivation behind the specific story.
DEADLINE: 15th September 2024, 11:55 PM IST
For any queries, please contact us at info@tqmp.in with the subject line “QMF Query”.
We will notify you regarding the status of your submission by first week of October 2024.
Project Timeline and Honorarium
We will offer an honorarium of 200 USD to each artist.
We look forward to your creative contributions to help shape a diverse and inclusive archive that celebrates the multifaceted experiences of queer Muslims in South Asia.
