Queer Companions: Religion, Public Intimacy, and Saintly Affects in Pakistan

Queer Companions by Omar Kasmani explores saintly intimacy and the construction of queer social relations at Pakistan's most important Sufi pilgrimage site, focusing on the lives of ascetics known as fakirs. Kasmani argues that this intimacy offers a form of queer world-making with saints, as Islamic saints become lovers and queer companions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Queer Companions delves into the intricate tapestry of saintly intimacy and the formation of queer social bonds within Pakistan's revered Sufi pilgrimage site. Drawing upon queer theory and the anthropology of Islam, author Omar Kasmani unveils the profound and embodied ways in which saintly affections intertwine individuals, society, and the state in Pakistan, manifesting through a public architecture of intimacy. Islamic saints, akin to lovers and queer companions, emerge as vital figures in this transformative realm, enriching the religious universe with critical and queer perspectives.

Kasmani's study centers around the lives of ascetics known as fakirs in Pakistan, shedding light on the profound affective connections they foster with the patron saint, a thirteenth-century antinomian mystic. Through these intimate relationships, fakirs embrace unconventional modes of living in the present, challenging the rigid norms and expectations of their society. In the context of Pakistan, where religious shrines are intricately intertwined with the state's governance structures, engaging with saints entails a closer proximity to unofficial histories and public expressions of affect.

Through a series of captivating fakir life stories, Kasmani argues that this intimacy constitutes a unique form of queer world-making with saints. By exploring the intersections of religion, sexuality, and social norms, Queer Companions offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities and possibilities of queer identities within religious contexts. It serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of marginalized communities, as they navigate the boundaries between tradition and modernity, seeking solace and belonging in the embrace of sacred spaces.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478015413