At the heart of the Habibi Plz movement is the word "fakher," which means pride in Arabic. This sense of pride extends beyond just ourselves; it's a celebration of who we are, our identities, our rich culture, the beauty of our various languages and dialects, and every thread that weaves the fabric of our existence.
Among the various Habibi Plz campaigns, the standout of 2023 was undeniably Habibi Pride 2023, where Fakher wasn't just a word, but a vibrant community. Habibi Pride's main goal was to make a direct impact on the lives of Arab/Swana queer people everywhere. During the campaign, Habibi Pride visited four cities in just 34 days, all with one mission—to proudly show Fakher in our Arab/SWANA queer identities and proudly uphold our Arab/SWANA heritage and beauty. Profits and products made by Habibi Pride 2023 campaign were donated to local LGBTQ+ groups like @mubaadarat and @helemtl, which do important work for our community. The main aim of every Habibi Plz campaign is to create a strong and caring community by giving back to supportive organizations.
People who joined the Habibi Pride 2023 campaign shared their thoughts with us: Sano said, "My experience as a part of this movement was beautiful. To see people from SWANA and elsewhere alike light up at the display of pride in Arabic, it felt like many people were thirsty for it. Seeing both identities, the ethnic and the queer, merged together was moving for many, more than I imagined it could be!"
Another member, Carine, known as Habibi’s Sexpert, added, "What an honour and a pleasure to have participated in Habibi Pride 2023. It only anchored me more in why I do what I do. Sending you all love."
In the end, Habibi Pride 2023 shows how powerful it is when people come together, proud of who they are. By harmonizing different parts of our Arab/Swana identity and embracing our queer identity, this campaign is making a path for a brighter future.