About the Reading Circles

About the Reading Circles: The Reading Circles in Queer Islam offer a rare and carefully curated exploration of gender and sexuality in Muslim traditions, bringing together critical gender analysis, deep historical insight, and contemporary Muslim narratives in a non‐ideological format. Led by Dr. Hasib Nasiri—an experienced facilitator of Islamic feminist reading circles—the program provides an authoritative and accessible entry into material seldom available in one coherent space.

Participants develop a deeper literacy in how gender and sexuality function within Islamic intellectual history. They learn to recognize the constructed nature of gender binaries, to understand the diversity of pre‐modern Muslim approaches to desire and relationality, and to distinguish between historical Islamic discourses and the assumptions of modern Muslim heteronormativity. This historical and conceptual grounding gives them the ability to read Islamic texts with greater nuance and to situate contemporary debates within a broader lineage.

The Reading Circle is designed as a safe and affirming learning space, where gender and sexual diversity is respected, and where participants can engage with complex material without fear of judgment or debate over anyone’s identity.

Reading Circle Schedule

This Reading Circle will run for 12 months, beginning in September 2026 and concluding in September 2027, with one session per month, each lasting 3 hours. Registration is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Each session will be held the first Sunday of every month from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST for November 2026 - March 2027 sessions).

Reading Circle Pricing

$300 USD / Participant for the full 12 month program

Reading Circle Registration

Please note, you must complete the registration form here, in addition to paying the registration fee, to confirm your attendance.

About the Facilitator

Dr. Hasib Nasiri is a Danish‑Afghan philosopher whose work sits at the intersection of Islamic philosophy, theology, and gender in the Islamic tradition. He earned his doctorate from Uppsala University on a dissertation examining the role of religious critique in Islamic thought.

Since 2020, Dr. Nasiri has facilitated reading circles in Islamic feminism with more than 140 participants across both introductory and advanced levels. These circles have become a space for learning, reflection, and community — but they were created for a deeper reason.

Reading Circles in Queer Islam - Fall 2026 Cohort