Muslim leader urged: drop homophobia

Gay group calls for solidarity against intolerance

London – 4 January 2006

"It is sad to see the leader of the Muslim community attacking the gay
community," said Peter Tatchell of the gay human rights group
OutRage!.

"We share a parallel experience of prejudice and discrimination.
Victimisation of Muslim people is wrong, and so too is the
victimisation of gay people. Instead of sowing division and promoting
homophobia, the Muslim Council of Britain should be working with gay
organisations to challenge the twin evils of homophobia and
Islamophobia."

Mr Tatchell was responding to anti-gay comments made by the leader of
the Muslim Council of Britain on BBC Radio 4's PM Programme,
yesterday, 3 January 2006.

Sir Iqbal told the programme that homosexuality is "harmful" and "not
acceptable." He suggested it was immoral and spread disease. Implying
that being gay is a sickness, he said homosexuality is linked to
"other illnesses and diseases."

Mr Tatchell expressed concern that the MCB had long campaigned in
support of discrimination against lesbians and gay men:

"On every recent gay human rights issue, the MCB has campaigned in
favour of discrimination. It opposed an equal age of consent,
partnership rights for same-sex couples and the outlawing of
homophobic discrimination in the workplace. The MCB also backed the
retention of Section 28 and a ban on gay couples fostering or adopting
children."

Resorting to inflammatory language barely distinguishable from the
homophobic tirades of the BNP, news releases on the MCB website
condemn same-sex relationships as
"offensive", "immoral" and "repugnant".

"While demanding rights for Muslims, the MCB wants to deny rights to
lesbian and gay people – both Muslim and non-Muslim. It sees no double
standard or inconsistency in its selective approach to human rights,"
added Mr Tatchell.

"OutRage! has written to Sir Iqbal Sacranie several times, urging
dialogue to explore our common interest in defending the human rights
of both our communities. We suggested working together to eradicate
the twin hatreds of Islamophobia and homophobia. Sir Iqbal never
replied to our letters.

"OutRage! recognises the shared humanity of all people everywhere. We
endorse the MCB's concern about the abuse of Muslims in Palestine,
Bosnia, Chechnya, Iraq and in Britain. But our solidarity with Muslims
has been repaid with only hostility and prejudice from the MCB.

"Tolerance is a two-way street. How can the MCB expect to secure
respect for Muslims when it shows such obvious disrespect to other
people because of their sexual orientation?" queried Mr Tatchell.

Further information: Peter Tatchell, OutRage! 02xxx xxxxxx

------------------

Transcript of BBC Radio 4’s PM Programme, 3 January 2006. Interview
with Sir Iqbal Sacranie, leader of the Muslim Council of Britain

When you look at same-sex civil partnerships, for instance, what are
your thoughts?

Sacranie: "Our view is very clear on that. I'm carried by the teaching
of my faith. It is something which is not acceptable in Islam the same
way it is not acceptable under Christianity or Judaism or other divine
religions. Our religion, our faith is very, very clear. This is
harmful. It does not augur well in building the very foundations of
society - stability, family relationships. And it is something we
would certainly not, in any form, encourage the community to be
involved in."

Is homosexuality itself harmful to society?

Sacranie: "Certainly it is a practice that – in terms of health, in
terms of the moral issues that comes along in society – it is not
acceptable. And what is not acceptable, there is a good reason for
it."

"Each of our faiths tells us that it is harmful and I think, if you
look into the scientific evidence that has been available in terms of
the forms of various other illnesses and diseases that are there,
surely it points out that where homosexuality is practised there is a
greater concern in that area."

And how does one society square and comfortably hold your view with
the views of same-sex couples who have been getting married in recent
weeks? Does that "tolerance" always get bourn out?

Sacranie: "Well tolerance comes from both ways. We have an opportunity
to express our views. This is what we have, this is the privilege we
have living in an open democratic society. This is something which we
felt deeply concerned about because we felt it does not promote the
social or family harmony in society. Now, whilst its there, what do we
do? We have to confront in the manner which is acceptable to all of
us, but in the same way I have the right to express my view, others
have the right to oppose and put their arguments.

-------------------

MCB News releases condemning homosexuality

Keep Clause 28: Weak guidelines are not enough for Muslim parents
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/archive/news150300.html

Keep Clause 28 Grave Danger in Government Plans to Repeal Clause 28
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/archive/news260100.html

The Death Of Pope John Paul II...Also A Sad Day For The Muslims
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/features/features.php?ann_id=913

MCB EXPRESSES OUTRAGE AT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OVER THE SEXUAL
OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/archive/news041200.html

NO TO LOWERING AGE OF CONSENT - YES TO CLAUSE 28
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/archive/news100400.html

Other MCB documents referencing homosexuality:

"homosexuality leads to AIDS"
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/downloads/AN-UP-TO-DATE.pdf

MCB works with Christian Institute to oppose gay adoption
 http://www.mcb.org.uk/downloads/2002-3.pdf

ENDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------