EastEnders with my family, they know Iqra Ahmed is my favourite character. First introduced as ‘no-nonsense, bold and intelligent’, Iqra is just like me.
She often provokes the ire of those around her, including her relatives, yet she also wants her family’s approval. But what my family doesn’t know is that I love Iqra most for being a Muslim lesbian – like I am.
In her latest storyline, she is confronted by a homophobe who takes issue with a Muslim prayer room being next to a gay bar.
Iqra challenges the common misconception that Islam and queerness don’t mix, because she is proudly both. I didn’t even know being gay was a thing until I turned 10.