Marhaba, a support group for LGBTI Muslims in Melbourne, begun in November 2013.

Marhaba, which means welcome in Arabic, begun after the convener learnt of a young transgender girl struggling with her gender identity.

In a distressing and traumatic experience which left her emotionally scared and paranoid, she was told by her mother that her own prayers would curse her.

This utter rejection of who she was left her so paranoid, she struggled to open up even to those who supported her at Marhaba.

Unfortunately, her story of trauma and isolation is not unique among those struggling with reconciling faith and religion within themselves and within their families.

A Marhaba member was kicked out of home, had his clothes burnt and his possessions given away as charity.

Another was asked by his own father to kill himself for that was better than living as a homosexual.

“When my father found out, the first thing he said to me was, ‘son, I love you, go kill yourself’.  He said it in such a calm way that I was shocked.”

Another feared for his life at the hands of his own mother who was struggling to reconcile her faith with her son’s sexuality.

The Marhaba convener, who wishes to remain anonymous, also speaks of a member in the grips of self-harm.  He cuts himself multiple times when it gets bad.

Despite psycho-spiritual counselling sessions at Marhaba, he still continues to self-harm.

“The transition will never be effective, people will not be able to lead a normal life if they cannot be truthful to themselves and be truthful to Allah [God].  Forget [other] people, be truthful to yourself, be truthful to Allah.”

Marhaba is looking to change the harsh reality of trying to reconcile faith and religion.

“The change we’re aiming for is to erase the fear to speak up and that fear is legitimate because the losses are too great. If a child comes out they will be ostracized and marginalized. You lose everything. Our intention is to change that.”