Nemat Sadat

Nemat Sadat is a novelist, journalist, and activist, known for his debut novel The Carpet Weaver and his campaigning for LGBTQIA rights, particularly in the context of Muslim communities.[1][2] Sadat is one of the first Afghans to have openly come out as gay and to campaign for gender freedom and sexual liberty.[1]

Activism

In 2012, having secured the position of Assistant Professor in Political Science at the American University of Afghanistan, Sadat returned to Kabul.[3] During his employment at the university, he used social media to mobilize an underground movement to openly campaign for LGBTQIA+ rights in Afghanistan.[4]

In July 2013, his public outreach came to the attention of the Afghan government, which alleged that his activities were undermining Islam in the country and deemed him a threat to national security.[5] Sadat was fired from his position at AUAF and he left Afghanistan, settling in New York City.[6]

In August 2013, Nemat Sadat publicly announced his sexuality, becoming the first Afghanistan native to come out as gay.[1] According to Nemat, he received several death threats including a fatwa issued against him by the Mullahs of Afghanistan due to this.[7] In October the same year, Sadat faced a second wave of widespread hostility in Afghan media.[3] Commenting on his LGBT activism in an interview for The Guardian in November 2013, Sadat said, I am making a sacrifice, but I want Afghan youth to look at me and see that there are people who are Afghan and Muslim and gay. It will give them hope.[8]

In June 2016, after the Orlando nightclub shooting, Nemat Sadat voiced his perspective as a U.S.-based, gay ex-Muslim who faced adversity for his sexuality and background. He made several TV appearances, including giving interviews for CNN’s Christiane Amanpour,[9] Amara Walker, and Don Lemon, as well as by NBC News.[10][11][12]

Also in 2016, Sadat participated in BBC’s extended news feature on Afghanistan’s LGBT community,[13] as well as taking part in a BBC Pashto debate on Islam and homosexuality.[14]

Sadat took part in the National Pride March in 2017 in Washington, D.C., appearing on the cover on the Washington Blade[15] and giving an interview for NPR.[16]

Journalism

Sadat has published articles and papers in numerous publications, including the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs and Out Magazine.[17] Prior to accepting the position at the American University of Afghanistan, has also produced content for ABC News Nightline, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, and the UN Chronicle.[18][19]

See also

References
  1. "Meet Afghanistan's first openly gay activist and author, Nemat Sadat". Vogue magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  2. George, Sarahbeth (7 July 2019). "Nemat Sadat: 'I too would like to go back to Afghanistan and not be stoned for being gay'". National Herald. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  3. "As Russia Runs For the Closet, Afghanistan Comes Out". www.out.com. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  4. Rangnekar, Sharif D. (3 August 2019). "Nemat Sadat: Gay, Muslim, Afghan, immigrant". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  5. "Despite Death Threats A Gay Leader Emerges In Afghanistan". www.corcoranproductions.com. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  6. "As Russia Runs For the Closet, Afghanistan Comes Out". www.out.com. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  7. "Afghan-American writer Nemat Sadat on weaving a gay love story, living in a homeless shelter in the US and why he feels at home in India". The Indian Express. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  8. "Over the rainbow: what is it like to be gay around the world? | World news". The Guardian. 26 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  9. "Afghan gay rights activist: 'Minority within a minority'". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  10. Craig, Tim (14 June 2016). "After Orlando attack, prevailing view is there are 'not any gays' in Afghanistan". Washington Post. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  11. "Why Death Is Easier Than Coming Out for Some Gay Muslims". NBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  12. "CNN.com - Transcripts". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  13. "Afghanistan LGBT community living under threat of death". BBC News. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  14. "فکرلارې: شریعت او افغاني ټولنه د همجنس خوښوونکو په اړه څه نظر لري؟". BBC News پښتو (in Pashto). 8 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  15. "Washington Blade - June 16, 2017". Issuu. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  16. "D.C. Equality March Makes Pride Political". NPR.org. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  17. "Blood Sport Returns to Afghanistan by Nemat Sadat". Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  18. "Nemat Sadat: What It's Like To Be Gay & An Afghan". IndiaTimes. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  19. Chatterjee, Amal (16 September 2018). "MSt almunus Nemat Sadat's novel "The Carpet Weaver " to be published by Penguin Random House, June 2019". conted.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
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