Urooj Arshad

Senior Programme Manager of the Dignity for All: LGBTQI Assistance Programme & Muslim LGBTQ+ Advocate

  • Co-founder of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity
  • Served on the U.S. delegation to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
  • Former Board Member of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
  • Member of Centre for American Progress’ Women’s Health Leadership Network
  • Received the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance’s Community Catalyst Award

When [post:title] is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

LGBTQ Muslims in the age of Trump
Gendered Islamophobia and homonationalism
Global to local: Connecting LGBTQ work in Pakistan to issues affecting LGBTQ Muslims in the U.S.
Understanding Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate
LGBTQ Rights and activism in Pakistan

Urooj Arshad is one of the leading figures advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights as the former Director of International LGBTQ Youth Health and Rights at Advocate For Youth, empowering young women to advocate for their own reproductive and sexual health rights. She also served on the U.S. delegation to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. With her years of knowledge advocating the rights for LGBTQ+ Muslims, Urooj was responsible for managing the partnerships of experts and organisations within the LGBTQ+ rights movement and can frequently be heard speaking at elite conferences all around the world including Norway, the USA, Sweden and Australia on sexual health rights, Islamophobia, transphobia and homophobia.

Passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, and especially those of Muslim LGBTQ+ rights, Urooj first started her career working for Advocates For Youth as a Programme Manager of the Youth Colour Initiative before then becoming the Associate Director of Equity & Social Justice. After just one year in this position, Urooj was then promoted to Associate Director of the International Youth Health & Rights. From 2017-2019 Urooj was the Director of International LGBTQ Youth Health Rights and managed to secure over $1 million worth of funding to advance the work of its existing partners in helping the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and the sexual health rights of women across the global south. Since 2019 Urooj has been the Senior Programme Manager of the Dignity for All: LGBTQI Assistance Programme.

As one of the leading voices for the rights of the Muslim LGBTQ+ community, Urooj was a proud Board Member of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and is the co-founder of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, on the subject she has presented at International HIV/AIDS Conferences, the European Science Foundation’s conference on Religion, Gender and Human Rights and at national meetings of Muslim thought-leaders. She is also a Member of Centre for American Progress’ Women’s Health Leadership Network and in recognition of all her work, Urooj has been decorated with awards including the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance’s Community Catalyst Award, the Latino GLBT History Project’s Award, and the National Association of Asian American Professional’s Pride Award.

With work featured in numerous prestigious publications, there is no one more educated than Urooj who can address the subjects of the Muslim LGBTQ+ community and the intersectional impact a lack of acceptance can bring to societies. Urooj is always looking to improve herself, and her leadership skills to give the most impactful keynote speeches that leave the audience educated and shocked by the discrimination faced by members of the Muslim LGBTQ+ community, and the lack of female health rights globally. Look no further than Urooj Arshad to hire at your next event for a moving and warm speaker.

Official Testimonials

Urooj Arshad is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“We were lucky to have Urooj give an engaging and thoughtful presentation about the complexities of Queer Muslim life. She managed to encapsulate how her lived experiences and activism are inextricably enmeshed with larger societal structures and politics. She pushed students to think critically and engage beyond their perspectives with her anecdotes of work across continents and with a variety of communities. She didn’t shy away from the difficult questions and explaining complex topics, leaving students thought provoked and ready for a fruitful discussion.”

Amina Awad, co-chair of the Minority Coalition at Williams college

“Urooj was invited to present her work and expertise at a two day workshop held at Columbia University entitled Global Governance of the Intimate. Her presentation ‘Pushing back simultaneously against gendered islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia: LGBTQ Muslims in the age of Trump’ was deeply engaging and informative for our group of feminist scholars, journalists, and activists working on gender in South Asia and the Middle East. Urooj masterfully touched upon complex issues using accessible language. Urooj has a clear passion and commitment to her work that energized us all.”

Joymala Hajra, Program Coordinator, Religion and the Global Framing of Gender Violence, Columbia University

“Urooj Arshad is a gem. She is a deeply passionate community leader, an inspiring speaker who speaks from the heart. Her stories and deep knowledge of intersectional social justice as well as internationalism come out through her talks. She is also a gem because of literal sparkle– her outfits and style are on point, and she is well known for bringing the bling! Urooj’s deep experience, interactiveness, and style are bound to engage students and participants at events. I look forward to every opportunity I have to bring her back to speak on our campus.”

Shige, LGBT Equity Centre, University of Maryland

“Urooj was invited to present her work and expertise at a two day workshop held at Columbia University entitled Global Governance of the Intimate. Her presentation ‘Pushing back simultaneously against gendered islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia: LGBTQ Muslims in the age of Trump’ was deeply engaging and informative for our group of feminist scholars, journalists, and activists working on gender in South Asia and the Middle East. Urooj masterfully touched upon complex issues using accessible language. Urooj has a clear passion and commitment to her work that energized us all.”

Joymala Hajra, Program Coordinator, Religion and the Global Framing of Gender Violence, Columbia University

To enquire about Urooj Arshad for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@female-motivational-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0203 9158 282.