My story depicts the inner journey of discovery and acceptance of a gay Muslim against the unique backdrop of being raised in an orthodox Muslim family of Indian origin, rooted for generations in East Africa. Entering adulthood, impartial pursuits in journalism gave way to activism and my influence grew until I was eventually forced into exile. While Sweden has become a place of refuge, it is also true to say that one set of oppressions has been traded for another. With 9 years academia in International Relations, Sociology, Political Science and a Masters in Human Rights, it has been and is a struggle to secure a paid job due to the complexity of the person I represent. As I navigate life under various structural barriers, the past 14 years have taught me as much about what I can learn here as it has about what I can teach, and to be able to raise awareness about various context. I have been able to raise awareness on structural racism and the damage it can cause to one’s self esteem and how inequal opportunities affect the whole society,also from a postcolonial perspective. My story contributes to broadening the popular understanding of the “gay Muslim” accepted in the West and brings attention to the diversity within Islamic society overlooked in popular representations. It explores a personal account of how the intersection of Islam, sexual identity, gender dynamics, war, and a colonial legacy has shaped identities and prejudices. As society attempts to increase inclusivity, we have acknowledged the multidimensional nature of human beings and put names to the various identities that help define them – religion, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality. As a Muslim, gay man, of Indian and Burundian origin raised in East Africa, mine is a story distinctive yet relatable. While there are millions of individuals who share some of my identities, there are a few represented in Western culture with this specific intersection. My mission is to inspire people that it is possible to re-read the Islamic text and find them compatible for who you are and concentrate on a personal relation to a creator .