Al-Fatiha is a unique agency. Meaning “the beginning” or “the opening” in Arabic and also referring to the first chapter of the Qur’an, Al-Fatiha is an organization dedicated to helping LGBTIQQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning) Muslims reconcile their sexuality with their religion. Alam’s desire to create this organization was borne out of his personal experience as a young man who felt from a young age that he was “different” from other boys. As a young college student, he was forced to appropriate two different identities: a homosexual man and a devout Muslim. After he was no longer able to effectively function in the two distinct identities he had created for himself, he had a nervous breakdown. That nervous breakdown was a catalyst to his personal transformation and his desire to reach out to other Muslims who were suffering in silence because of their sexual orientation. In 1998, he created Al-Fatiha Foundation.

All of the information Alam provided was fascinating; some of it was truly disheartening. For instance, he explained that in 2003, homosexual individuals in Egypt were persecuted and arrested. In 2006, two gay teenagers were executed in Iran. While Alam himself says he has received death threats, he continues his fight for LGBTQ rights within Islam. While there were questions from audience members regarding how he could interpret certain passages of the Qur’an, the holy scripture of Islam, in ways that supported LGBTQ rights, he made it clear that he was not interested in theological debates. As he said several times during his presentation he is not interested in theology, but rather he is interested in the “human stories” behind the religious persecution. What he wants most is to ensure every Muslim can live a safe and peaceful life.

The presentation was informative and intense, but I left with a feeling of inspiration. If someone like Faisal Alam can do give so much of his time to help marginalized individuals, I can certainly take time out of my schedule to listen to what he had to say.

For more information about Al-Fatiha, visit http://www.al-fatiha.org.

Even though she spoke with an accent from a distant place, it was impossible to miss the conviction in her voice, as she spoke during the 2010 Stop Traffic Now Conference at the University of Missouri this past weekend.

Exposing sex trafficking across the world has become more of a duty and responsibility for photojournalist Mimi Chakarova than a job.

“One reason why this is a very personal project and I’ve stuck with it for this duration is because I owed it to my generation of women to do the story, and to do it in an honest and compassionate way,” said Chakarova.

Chakarova grew up in a Bulgarian village before moving to the United States as a teenager. After the fall of communism, Chakarova says people began looking abroad for ways to make a decent living. Yet, few young women knew that these aspirations would make them the perfect prey for pimps and organized crime.

“None of us when we are little girls dream of being prostitutes one day,” said Chakarova.

Often times these women are offered jobs abroad by people they know. But when they arrive in the new country their passports are taken. When they see an exchange of money, they realize they’ve been deceived. After being forced into this dangerous under world, they most likely will never escape.

“This is a story that’s not only dangerous to do because you’re dealing with mafia, you’re dealing with criminal networks. As a female in order for me to get into some of these places, to get in this world, I cannot go in posing that I’m a client because the clientele is not female it’s male. So, as a female I’ve had to go undercover on many occasions where I had to become a part of that scene and experience and hear things and see things with my eyes that are incredibly disturbing,” said Chakarova.

It’s obvious that Chakarova is haunted by what she has seen. But this has become her mission for the past seven years. The situations she has put herself in to tell this story are unimaginable. But Chakarova does it for all the right reasons, to expose an injustice hoping that one day it will change.

For more information about Chakarova’s work visit her site here.
To read more from Samantha Liss, visit her blog here

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What would you do for George Washington’s birthday? Let us know by leaving your comment below.

This is our first valentine’s day, so all of us here at iknowcomo.com wanted to do something special for Columbians.  We decided to put you in front of the camera for the chance to give some V-day shout outs.  Thanks everyone for helping us out, you were awesome!

Wait, whats that? You can’t rush off to Louisiana for the weekend? Well not to worry, there’s still plenty going on in Columbia for the Gras.  The Internet, and for that matter the rest of the world, was seriously lacking a good Mardi Gras guide for CoMo, so here it is:

Whats happening around town?

Deuce Pub & Pit:

On Saturday, Feb. 13 Q106.1 will be broadcasting live from The Deuce.  There will be tons of beads and specials on Hurricanes and other drinks.  Also present will be promo teams from Bud Light, Malibu, and Cruzan Rum.

Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16 will feature more hurricane drink specials, as well as the SOCO promo team.

Shiloh Bar & Grill

Shiloh will have $3 yard glasses, shot specials, and will be serving a little taste of N’orleans; JUMBALAYA!

They will also be giving away beads and hats, with music provided by a live DJ.

Harpos

On Fat Tuesday, Feb 16. there will be $3 hurricanes, Classic Rock cover band The Baboons, and FREE RICE AND BEANS.

Deja Vu

Friday, Feb 12: Bacardi promo team and live broadcast from Y107. *Best female bead collection at midnight wins $100 cash*

Saturday Feb. 13: Free cover with college ID, and 30% off your bar tab (includes anything they’ve got behind the bar). 2 for 1 bombs, $2 bottles, $1.75 Jager shots with the Jager promo team, featuring the Jagerettes.

Jazz, a Louisiana Kitchen

Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16: Besides their usual Louisiana cuisine, Jazz will pack in promo teams from Jager, Budweiser, Coors Light, and Absolute.

Know of anything else going on, or just want to share your Mardi Gras festivities, leave a comment or email us at iknowcomo@gmail.com!

The Blue Note is hosting a “Hear for Haiti-Benefit Show” on Thursday Feb 11. The concert will feature New Locomotive, Noah Earle, The Paperclips, and John Gurney all for just $10.

If music isn’t your thing, you can simply eat at Shakespeare’s Pizza and mention “Dining for Haiti.” The restaurant will set aside 15% of your order to go back to Haitian relief funds. Any type of food or drink counts.

Several local businesses are giving you the option to add extra money to your total to donate as well.

Do you know of anything else people are doing locally to raise money for the situation in Haiti? Let us know by e-mail iknowcomo@gmail.com.

Football fans rejoice! Super Bowl XLIV is just around the corner, where the Indianapolis Colts will take on the New Orleans Saints down in sunny Miami, Florida.  What’s that, you’re not a football fan? Not to worry, this monumental television event is about much more than the game. Besides, you’re going to want to watch the commercials that everyone will be talking about in class on Monday, right?

This weekend will surely provide the perfect opportunity to throw some epic Super Bowl parties.  In fact, according to SuperBowlMonday.com (an organization attempting to make the Super Bowl a national holiday!), an average of 20 million Americans attend a Super Bowl party each year.  The most popular foods at these parties include the traditional pizza, wings, and guacamole.  You can bet that some of our favorite local pizza joints like Shakespeare’s and Gumby’s will have their hands full this weekend. Lee’s Chicken will have extra employees working Sunday to meet your wings needs, and while CJ’s won’t be open on gameday, they’re taking orders ahead of time to be picked up before the big game.

Think your Super Bowl bash is the best?  We want to see your pics!  Send us your wacky photos of Super Bowl parties. Show us your smorgasbord of Super Bowl eats and drinks, your painted gameday faces, even your best touchdown celebration dance.  If we like it, your photos COULD…GO…ALL…THE…WAY… to our homepage!  Email your pics to iKnowComo@gmail.com.