Imam Daayiee Abdullah received the 2025 Creating Change Award from the National LGBTQ Task Force on Friday, January 24, 2025. He’s awarded for his pioneering work in advocating for LGBTQ+ Muslims.
As the first openly gay imam in the U.S., he has created spaces of spiritual support and community for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Muslim faith. His leadership bridges gaps between faith and identity, promoting inclusivity and challenging harmful norms.
Through his work, Imam Abdullah has inspired both LGBTQ+ and Muslim communities, fostering greater acceptance, understanding, and justice. His award underscores his vital role in advancing equality and social change.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is the founder of MECCA Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding Progressive Islam through education and research. Based in the U.S., the institute offers a school, research department, online community, publishing, and public presentations. All as part of cultivating an inclusive, thoughtful approach to Islam for contemporary audiences.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is the author of Progressive Islam. This is a book that celebrates the liberal and inclusive aspects of the Muslim faith.
Exploring themes of freedom, opportunity, responsibility, and cooperation, his book dives into diverse perspectives from China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The book covers five sections. There is a personal autobiography, the life of Prophet Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the principles of Progressive Islam.
It’s a modern and thoughtful interpretation of Islamic teachings.
Short Biography of Imam Daayiee
Imam Daayiee Abdullah was born in 1954 in Detroit, Michigan. He’s an American imam and a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ Muslims. He converted to Islam at age 30 while studying in Beijing. Later, he learned more about the faith’s diversity in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and many other Muslim-majority countries.
Known as one of the world’s few openly gay imams, Imam Daayiee has faced controversy due to Islam’s traditional stance on homosexuality. He has played a key role in advocating for LGBTQ+ Muslims, officiating same-sex marriages and offering counseling services.
In 2011, he founded Masjid Nur Al-Isslaah, an LGBTQ-friendly mosque in Washington, D.C. Later, he worked with Muslims for Progressive Value, leading an LGBTQ-focused program.
In 2014, he established the Mecca Institute to promote progressive Islam through education. Abdullah has contributed to the LGBTQ Muslim community as a spiritual leader, activist, and educator, emphasizing inclusivity and social justice in both Muslim and LGBTQ+ contexts.
About the Creating Change Award
The “Creating Change Award” is presented at the annual Creating Change conference by the National LGBTQ Task Force. It honors individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The award recognizes activists, organizers, and allies advancing LGBTQ+ rights through advocacy, education, and community building. It may include multiple categories, such as youth activism, transgender rights, or legal advocacy, depending on the year.
The conference serves as a gathering for LGBTQ+ advocates to share strategies, build community, and address key issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Over the past several decades, Imam Daayiee Abdullah has worked with the Task Force and the Creating Change conference, including presenting material in multiple years.
Imam Daayiee Remarks
“My thanks to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Bishop Flunder, and the Creating Change audience,” Imam Daayiee Abdullah said in a statement delivered to the conference. “I am honored by your recognition of my dedication to and the evolution of my vision for an accepting Muslim community and its LGBTQ Muslims globally.”
Imam Daayiee shared his vision for the future through his leadership at MECCA Institute and expressed a deep commitment to building a legacy grounded in the strength and wisdom of progressive Muslims. He highlighted how Queer Muslims, including himself, have historically drawn from these foundations.
His work, he emphasized, is dedicated to providing the necessary support and guidance for future LGBTQ+ Muslim leaders. The imam also expressed gratitude to the growing LGBTQ+ community and all progressive thinkers from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging the critical importance of their work.
In closing, Imam Abdullah called for divine guidance, wishing that all of our efforts continue to be inspired by the Creator.
How to Support Imam Daayiee
Supporting Imam Daayiee Abdullah and his work can be done in several impactful ways. First of all, you can purchase his book Progressive Islam. This not only offers insightful perspectives on Islam but also helps fund his ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ Muslims.
The book is a great resource for anyone interested in a modern, inclusive understanding of Islam.
Additionally, joining the MECCA Institute’s community membership is another great way to support the imam. Joining the community membership allows you to be part of a progressive educational platform that promotes inclusive Islamic teachings.
As a member, you’ll gain access to valuable resources, courses, and a supportive community that aligns with Imam Abdullah’s vision of a more inclusive and compassionate faith.
Finally, making a donation to MECCA Institute helps support its work as a non-profit organization. Your contribution ensures that the Institute can continue its mission of expanding Progressive Islam through education, research, and outreach, making a positive impact on both the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities.