About the Podcast:
- Why should we talk about Shi’ism and LGB issues?
- What do the texts say about homosexuality in Shi’ism?
- Homophobia vs religious belief: where’s the line?
In this episode, we explore the complex intersection between Shi’a Muslim identity and LGB experiences through the lens of sociology. Dr Muhammed Reza Tajri unpacks the lived realities of Shia Muslims grappling with non-normative sexualities, revealing critical tensions between religious belonging, psychological well-being, and community silence. The conversation highlights the pressing need for more awareness, empathy, and informed pastoral care in Shia communities. From spiritual suffering and domestic rejection to the jurisprudential discourse on homosexuality, Dr Tajri’s research brings fresh insight into one of the most underexplored yet urgent conversations in contemporary Islamic studies.
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Learn More About Our Guest:
Dr Muhammed Reza Tajri is a Lecturer in Arabic and Research Lead in Muslim Cultures and Societies at Al-Mahdi Institute. He holds a PhD from Lancaster University (2023), exploring the evolving perceptions of Shīʿī religious authority on British university campuses. With a background in traditional seminary studies and academic research, his work focuses on Muslims in the UK, contemporary Shi’ism, gender, and religious authority.
Read More of His Insights:
Tajri, M.R., 2024. “Dealing with Dichotomy: Exploring the Lived Realities of LGB Shia Muslims.” Conference Paper, Al-Mahdi Institute
Tajri, M.R. (2023) Evolving Perceptions of Shīʿī Religious Authority on British University Campuses. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.
Tajri, M.R. (2016) ‘Assessing Perceptions of Islamic Authority amongst British Shia Muslim Youth’ in Suleiman, Y. and Anderson, P. (eds.) Muslims in the UK and Europe II. Cambridge: Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge, pp. 148-156.
