A Conversation with a Young British Muslim Woman and a Trans Woman on Culture and Identity

BY AMINA AND SOPHIE

Participants

Amina: A young British Muslim woman who is passionate about her faith and cultural heritage.

Sophie: A Trans woman who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and has been navigating her journey of gender identity with courage and resilience.

Amina: I'm really glad we’re having this conversation Sophie. It’s rare that people from different walks of life sit down and really listen to one another. For me, being a Muslim woman isn’t just a personal identity it’s tied to centuries of culture, family tradition and a deep spiritual commitment. It informs how I carry myself, how I dress, how I speak and even how I make decisions.

Sophie: Thanks Amina. I’m equally grateful to be here. I’ll be honest being a Trans woman in Britain today is still a bit of a tightrope. You spend so much time trying to live authentically, but society doesn’t always make space for that. I think both of us have had to fight, in our own ways, just to be seen as who we are.

Amina: Without question. Take my hijab for example. For me it’s an act of devotion, something I’ve chosen because it connects me to my Creator and my community. But it’s astonishing how quickly people make assumptions, some see it as a symbol of oppression which couldn’t be further from the truth for me. Have you experienced similar kinds of misjudgement?

Sophie: Oh constantly. People get so fixated on the surface, what surgeries you’ve had, how you look, whether you “pass”. But the real story is about identity and integrity. It’s not just physical - it’s emotional, mental and spiritual. There’s a whole inner world that often gets overlooked.

Amina: That resonates. I think a lot of misunderstanding stems from ignorance. I’ve seen people change their views simply because they took the time to learn more about Islam. Once they realise it’s not this monolith they’ve been fed by the media, they start to appreciate the nuance.

Sophie: Same goes for being Trans. Once people understand the realities and the fears, the joy, the everyday stuff it becomes less abstract and more human. I always say, visibility is vital, but education is what really moves the needle.

Amina: One thing I’ve been reflecting on is the strength I draw from my community. My local mosque, my extended family they form a kind of social net. Even when things are difficult, that sense of belonging gives me something to hold onto. Do you have something similar in the Trans community?

Sophie: It’s a mixed bag, if I’m honest. There are incredible pockets of support, especially online or through grassroots groups. But many of us have been cut off from our families, faith communities, even old friendships. So we’ve had to build new homes and new families. That said, when you find your people, it’s powerful. It’s survival really.

Amina: I suppose that’s the challenge, trying to find or create spaces where you’re not merely tolerated but truly accepted. Even within Muslim spaces, there’s a lot of unlearning that still needs to happen. It can be lonely at times.

Sophie: Absolutely. I’ve learned to read a room quickly and figure out where I can be open, and where I need to hold back. It’s tiring, constantly assessing risk. But I also use those experiences to advocate, to educate when I can. I believe change starts in the everyday moments.

Amina: Yes the balancing act. I often feel like I’m straddling two worlds: my cultural and religious identity on one side and the wider British society on the other. Both are part of me but they don’t always understand each other.

Sophie: That tension that you’re speaking about is my language. I think the hardest part is knowing you can never fully fit into any one box. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Maybe that’s where growth happens, when you’re able to live in the grey areas and still claim your place.

Amina: That’s a powerful way to look at it. Maybe our differences are actually an opportunity to build bridges where others might see divides. I really believe that when people are brave enough to speak and listen openly, something special can happen.

Sophie: Couldn’t agree more. It’s not about erasing difference; it’s about embracing it. I’ve learned so much from hearing your story Amina. It’s reminded me that solidarity doesn’t mean sameness, it means standing together even when our paths look different.

Amina: And I’ve learned from you as well, Sophie. Thank you for your openness. These kinds of conversations are how we create real understanding and that’s something all our communities need more of.