iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

New York City does remember 9/11. Do you?

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After 9/11, never forget whom?

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Many faiths make New York stronger together.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

A blessing for New York City on 9/11

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Included in the Sufism on Bluesky feed:

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

A work in progress: A three-dimensional compass to graph one's notion of Sufism, and spirituality more generally.

A three-dimensional cube defined by three common axes along which versions or expressions of Sufism are often distinguished:

1. Shari'a-compliance — the degree to which a practitioner or order emphasizes strict adherence to Islamic law versus a more antinomian, law-transcending spirituality (the tension between "exoteric" and "esoteric" Islam).

2. Sobriety vs. Intoxication (sahw vs. sukr) — whether the tradition favors the sober, disciplined mysticism of figures like al-Junayd, or the ecstatic, self-annihilating expression associated with al-Hallaj or Rumi's more rapturous poetry.

3. Philosophical orientation — the extent to which a practitioner engages with speculative metaphysics (especially wahdat al-wujud, the "unity of being" associated with Ibn Arabi) versus a more devotional, love-based (ishq), or praktical (suluk, the path of spiritual stations and states) approach.

These three axes — legal, psychological/experiential, and metaphysical — can map out a fairly rich space of Sufi orientations across history and geography.

Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

When people tell me that they support or oppose Zionism, it is never clear to me what they really mean. Like many ideologies, Zionism can be libertarian or authoritarian, secular or religious, inclusive or exclusive, colonial or individualist.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Join Muslims for Progressive Values on April 16 as Ani Zonneveld (@anizonneveld.bsky.social) talks with David Parker of Lived Places Publishing, about her memoir, "An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior." cassyni.com/events/EGxVc...

Intersections of Faith, Feminism & Activism:
Progressive Islam & Social Justice

Where We Stand: Conversations on Identity, Place, & Lived Experience
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

David Parker: Mission-driven publisher at Lived Places Publishing
Ani Zonneveld: Founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values, author, and songwriter

In this session, Ani Zonneveld, author of An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior, reflects on intersections between faith, feminism, and activism and the various initiatives she's created to counter patriarchy and sexism, and in opposing the misuse of religion to justify prejudice.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

It disappoints me to see some U.S. Democrats using the Iran war to spread hatred of anyone who upholds human rights and democracy for people in Gaza, Lebanon, or the West Bank. Support for human rights for all is not "antisemitic."

Supporting a Democratic & Human Rights-Centered Israel

Promotes
• Fair treatment of all religious groups
• Equal rights for Jews & Palestinians
• Peaceful coexistence

Opposes
• Civilian harm
• Discriminatory laws in the West Bank
• Excessive force against protesters

Supports
• Human rights organizations
• International law
• Criticism of military occupation

Supporting a democratic Israel includes defending equal rights and human rights for all people... and opposing abuses of power. This is not antisemitic.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Join the Rumi Center for a community gathering of poetry, remembrance & reflection with Baraka Blue. All are welcome! Sunday, March 8, 2026 3 pm PDT | 6 pm EDT | 10 pm UK | 2 am UAE www.rumicenter.love/events

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

This lecture explores how patriarchal interpretations across Muslim history have diminished women’s spiritual authority and practices. Grounded in Muslim feminist scholarship, the lecture invites us to reimagine an Islamic tradition where women’s sacred and spiritual agency is fully restored.

"The De-Spiritualization of Women: Patriarchy and the Erasure of Female Sacred Agency in Islamic Tradition"
A Ramadan learning circle with Dr. Hasib Nasiri

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM PT | 2:30 PM ET | 8:30 PM CET
Register: bit.ly/march7circle

Join MPV as we reimagine an Islamic tradition where women's sacred agency is fully restored.

www.mpvusa.org

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

“Fasting of the Body, Nourishment of the Soul”: Ramadan lessons inspired by Shaykh Muhammad al-Hafiz al-Misri, the Tijani master. Nick Orzech will share how true fasting disciplines the nafs and nourishes the soul with sincerity, dhikr, and presence with Allah. Register: soutilaahi.eventbrite.sg

[Pictures of Shaykh Muhammad al-Hafiz al-Misri and Sidi Uwais Orzech]

Fasting of the body, nourishment of the soul

Ramadan lessons from
Shaykh Muhammad al-Hafiz al-Misri

with Sidi Uwais Orzech

5 March (Thur), 10.30pm SGT
Online Via Zoom
Register at: soutilaahi.eventbrite.sg

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Watkins Books hosts an intimate book launch with the leader of the Inayatiyya - Pir Zia Inayat Khan - scholar and teacher of Sufism in the lineage of his grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan. 🧵1/2

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Coleman Bryan Barks (April 23, 1937 – February 23, 2026) was an American poet and literature faculty member at the University of Georgia. Although he neither spoke nor read Persian, he was a popular interpreter of Rumi, rewriting the poems based on other English translations. 🧵1/5

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Mawaddah: A Ramadan magazine: www.canva.com/design/DAG7N... More Hidayah LGBT+ links: linktr.ee/hidayahlgbt

The Story of Ramadan
Today, Ramadan is a month of returning to God, to community, and to ourselves. It is a time for reflection, intention, and care, not perfection.
Beyond fasting, Ramadan invites us to practise love (mawaddah), generosity (sadaqah), and compassion in our daily lives.
For many queer Muslims, Ramadan can become a space of gentleness, healing, and reconnection - choosing love over fear, and mercy over shame.
،القلب كالمرآة، والشهواتُ كالصَّدَإ
.فإذا صُقِلَ القلبُ بالذِّكرِ انجلثْ عنهُ الصُّور
"The heart is like a mirror: when it is polished, it reflects the light of God."
-Imăm al-Ghazali

Need some guidance?
Our free zine Mawaddah is available now!
This zine offers you step-by-step guidance on how to make the most of your Ramadan, including helpful tips, tricks and trackers to keep you focused and engaged.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7Nin4UZY/aIl6UQcQrqeHVMy3H-ot8w/view?utm_content=DAG7Nin4UZY

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Hidayah LGBT+ introduces #Madrasa, an introduction to queer theology in Islam 🫶 From the basics of Ramadan, to looking at queer interpretations of Qur'an and Hadith passages, the project seeks deep reflection and discussion.

MADRASA
An introduction to Queer Theology in Islam

WEEK ONE:
Ramadan

What even is Ramadan?
and how can Ramadan be used not only to strengthen your faith, but also connect more deeply with your queerness?
السَلَامُ عَلَيْكمُ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَرَكَاتُهُ
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims that is seen as a way of connecting, exploring, and strengthening your faith in Allah, and the wider religion of Islam.
Fasting and praying are a focal point of the month, but there are lots of other practices to engage in, particularly sadagah, which is the voluntary act of charity. Sadagah can be a way of doing good deeds for yourself and others.
At Hidayah, we love gathering Queer Muslims together, especially in Ramadan.
We're hosting Iftar events across the UK and an Eid event.

What even is Ramadan?
and how can Ramadan be used not only to strengthen your faith, but also connect more deeply with your queerness?
السَّلَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحَمَةً لله بَرَكَاتُهُ
It is important to remember that not everyone experiences Ramadan in the same way. Capacity differs, physically, mentally, socially, and financially, and Islam has always recognised that people's circumstances change.
Sadaqah can be simple
Sadaqah is the voluntary act of charity. It differs from zakat (the obligatory annual payment), and it can be as inexpensive as you want.
Some easy ideas include:
• Giving someone a compliment
• Helping others
• Donating items or money
If you're low on energy, sadagah can be small: a kind message, offering time, making du'a for someone else, sharing food, or just being a safe person for another queer Muslim.

The Story of Ramadan
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad marking the beginning of divine guidance for the Muslim community. It is closely connected to Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), a night described as better than a thousand months.
Ramadan has always been a time of revelation, reflection, and transformation.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْءَانُ هَدى لَلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَتٍ مِنَ ٱلْهَدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ
"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance for humankind."
-Qur'an 2:185

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"As we celebrate this beautiful month and pray for barakah for ourselves and our loved ones, may we also keep space in hearts and prayers for the Muslims who are honoring Ramadan in the face of oppression, injustice, hardship, and genocide." -- Muslims for Progressive Values

THIS RAMADAN WE'RE THINKING OF:
The 13 million people displaced in Sudan as a result of the civil war.
The 5.4 million Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in their homeland
The 15,000+ Iranian political prisoners detained in Evin's Prison.
The 1.8 million Uyghurs detained by China in concentration camps
The 21,000 migrant workers detained by the Saudi government.
The 12.5 million Kashmiris living under the Indian occupation of their homeland.

CoMPVUSA I #ISLAMISJUSTICE

Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

"He founded The Inner Circle and later established Masjidul Ghurbaah — creating sacred space for LGBTQIA+ Muslims to practice Islam without shame. "He lived with threats. He knew the risks. And still, he chose courage.

Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

From Global Interfaith Network (gin-ssogie.org): "Imam Muhsin Hendricks was gunned down on 15 February 2025 in Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha. The motive remains unknown. The investigation continues. But for his family, community, and queer Muslims around the world, justice feels painfully distant.

A Year Later, No Arrests in the Killing of Muhsin Hendricks, the World's First Openly Gay Imam

Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-01-08-a-year-later-no-arrests-for-the-killing-of-muhsin-hendricks-sas-first-openly-gay

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

This weekend marked one year since the assassination of Imam Muhsin Hendricks. Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) created these images to acknowledge necessary work and the future that must be built.

Learn more about Imam Muhsin Hendrick's Legacy:

The Radical (2022) - a documentary recounting the life and work of Imam Muhsin Hendricks

Islamic Texts: A Source for Acceptance of Queer Individuals into Mainstream Muslim Society by Imam Muhsin Hendricks

FAW with Imam Muhsin Hendricks - LGBTQ+ and Gay Marriage in Islam on Amina Wadud's Youtube Channel.

Hijab: Unveiling Queer Muslim Lives
by Pepe Hendricks (Editor), Muhsin Hendricks (Foreword by)

Queer and Muslim: On Faith, Family, and Healing by Rahim Thawer (Editor), Maryam Khan (Editor), Muhsin Hendricks (Foreword) - to be released April 2026

DIVERSITY OF SEXUALITY IN ISLAM: Interview with Imam Muhsin Hendricks by Imam Muhsin Hendricks and Björn Krondorfer

Response to the Tragic Murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks By: MASGD (substack.com/@themasgd1/p-169618391)

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

From 2014 to today: Trumpworld seeks excuses to wage open and violent war against U.S. citizens

From "The Nation" magazine, February 28, 2014

Headline: US Border Agents Intentionally Stepped in Front of Moving Vehicles to Justify Shooting at Them

Subheadline: An internal review of the US Border Patrol raises serious questions about the agency's use-of-force policy.

From The New Republic magazine, January 14, 2026

Headline: Trump Tirades About Shooting Get Darker as Polls Turn Brutal on ICE

Subheadline: As new polling shows Trump is losing the argument over the Minneapolis shooting, the writer of a new piece on this horror explains how Trumpworld sees this as an opening to wage open war on Americans.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

"@anizonneveld.bsky.social has written a penetrating and inspiring examination of the constructive and nurturing influences, as well as the many invidious forces, that have shaped and honed her unique identity. ... 1/4

Book cover: "An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making My Life Count as a Muslim Feminist" by Ani Zonneveld. The image is a colorful abstract depiction of a Muslim woman.

American Muslim scholar Omid Safi (@brotheromid.bsky.social) writes on Sufism, love-based ethics, and social justice. His work examines how figures like Rumi and Rabia inform contemporary conversations on dignity, equality, and solidarity. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omid_Safi #sufijustice 7/10

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Sufi teacher Idries Shah introduced millions to Sufi ethical ideas—humility, service, and human development. While not a political figure, his writings influenced many activists who drew on Sufi concepts of compassion in their work. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idries_... #sufijustice 6/10

Pakistani scholar Fazlur Rahman, though not Sufi by order, drew on Islamic ethical traditions to argue for justice-oriented Qur’anic interpretation. His “double movement” method shaped many progressive Muslim thinkers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fazlur_... #sufijustice 4/10

Sudanese Sufi-influenced thinker Mahmoud Mohamed Taha promoted “the Second Message of Islam,” interpreting the Qur’an through equality and nonviolence. He opposed authoritarian rule and was executed in 1985 for his reformist positions. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud... #sufijustice 3/10

Malcolm X’s late-life embrace of a more expansive Islamic vision after his 1964 pilgrimage influenced his shift toward global human-rights language. His letters from Mecca reflect a universalist turn that shaped later justice movements. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_X #sufijustice 2/10

Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Chain of Light is a studio album by Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, published posthumously on 20 September 2024. The album features four traditional qawwali compositions recorded in 1990. It remained unreleased until rediscovered in 2021, after being lost for 27 years.

Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Let's discuss the retrospective construction of a religious tradition, and the recursive paradox of religious identity: Via Under the Green Dome on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT_G...

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

A Sufi rendering Life is the answer because it is the questioner and the questioned, the breath and the one who breathes. Do not demand it to be other than it is; sip it like sweet water, day by day. 1/3

Life is its own answer.
Accept it and enjoy it, day by day.
Live as well as possible. Expect no more.
Destroy nothing. Humble nothing. Look for fault in nothing.
Leave unsullied and untouched all that is beautiful.
Hold that which lives, in all reverence.
For life is given by the sovereign of our universe: given to be savored, to be luxuriated in, to be respected.
But that is no secret. You're intelligent. You know as well as I what is needed to be done.
—Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Do conservatives, in subtle ways, admire the Devil? 🤔 In both Islam and Christianity, sermons dwell on Shayṭān/Satan so much that he often feels more central than Allah's mercy. Let’s unpack. 🧵 #Islam #Christianity #Satan #Fear

The image is a Pixar-style cartoon illustration with a warm, playful tone.
• At the center is a red devil character with small horns, a goatee, and a mischievous grin. He has one hand on his chin as if scheming, and above his head is a thought bubble that reads:
“Conservatives admire me.”
• To the left, a smiling Muslim man is drawn in a cartoonish way. He wears a white cap and robe, has a dark beard, and holds his hands together in front of him as if in prayer or admiration.
• To the right, a cheerful Christian woman in a blue robe with a cross on her chest also clasps her hands together, looking up with wide, admiring eyes.
• The background is warm beige, soft and simple, highlighting the three figures.

The overall effect is lighthearted and satirical, suggesting that conservatives in both religions unintentionally “lift up” or empower Satan by their excessive focus on him.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

💡 Conclusion: Conservative Islam & Christianity can act like internal colonizers—not foreign empires, but religious empires using colonial tactics to subdue progressive societies under “divine” authority. #yaqeeninstitute #colonialism #islam

The image is drawn in a vintage political-cartoon style with muted, earthy tones.
• At the top of the picture, two large male figures dominate the scene:
• On the left, a man dressed in traditional Islamic clothing (long tunic, cap, and beard) holds a black flag that reads “Conservative Islam” with a crescent and star.
• On the right, a man in a dark business suit and tie, with a stern expression, holds another black flag that reads “Conservative Christianity” with a white cross.
• Both men are standing on top of a globe of the Earth, pressing down heavily with their feet.
• Below them, along the bottom half of the image, several weary, struggling people—men and women of different ethnic backgrounds—are hunched over, straining to hold the world on their backs. Their faces show exhaustion, pain, and despair.

The overall effect is symbolic: it suggests that conservative Islam and conservative Christianity act like oppressive forces weighing down ordinary people worldwide, much like colonial powers once did.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Via Paul Salahuddin Armstrong: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God; what reaches Him is your piety.” — Holy Qur’an 22:37 (Safi Kaskas) Wishing you a joyful Eid al-Adha filled with love, laughter, and the sweetness of shared blessings.

A digital painting of a rural family celebrating an eid

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Islamic liberation theology is an imperative part of practicing the Islamic faith: It affirms that faith is an indispensable part of struggling against oppression and injustice. #LiberationTheology #ILT #IslamicLiberationTheology

ISLAMIC LIBERATION THEOLOGY (ILT)
Liberation Theology
* is a critical reflection on the historical praxis of liberation in a concrete situation of oppression and decrimination
* was coined by Jesuit Fr. General Pedro Arrupe in 1968, at the advent of a movement in Latin America that tied faith to social justice
* claims that unjust socioeconomic structures are sinful and that it is the duty of people of faith to advocate for the poor and politically oppressed through systemic reform rather than simple charity.

Islamic Liberation Theology
* is a term that was coined in the aftermath of the original movement in Latin America to describe concepts that have been an aspect of Islamic teachings since the religion was first introduced centuries ago.
* argues that in order to truly honor the word of God. Musims must translate their religious beliefs into actual proctice rather than simple scholarship or rituals
* calls on progressive thedogians and activists to learn from perspectives of the neglected and oppressed rather than attempting to speak on behalf of them or providing basic charity.

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Sufism on Bluesky @sufism.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Registration for the second Progressive Islam Curriculum Live Workshop with Kendra Cordova is now live. 📅 Saturday April 5 ⏰ 7:00 PM PT | 9:00 PM CT | 10:00 PM ET 📍 Live on Zoom! 🔗 Please register here to join us: bit.ly/PIunit2live

Join us as we learn about:
% The Basics of Progressive Islam
Scholarly Definitions
Themes of Progressive Islam
History of Progressive Islam
Islamic Modernism