“Ken Livingstone has done great work for the gay community, but by rolling out the red carpet for Dr al-Qaradawi he is siding with an oppressor of gay Muslims in Britain and throughout the Islamic world. In the name of fighting Islamophobia, the Mayor is colluding with homophobia. He seems to be downgrading the human rights of lesbians and gay men in order to appease Muslim fundamentalists.”
London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said today that Dr al-Qaradawi has been “very clear in condemning homophobia and husbands striking their wives.”
(Ealing Times, 14 July 2004)
Source:
http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/misc/print.php?artid=509277
The truth is Dr al-Qaradawi told Jon Snow on Channel 4 News the night before (13 July), that homosexuality is an “unnatural and evil practice" and said the Koran permitted wife-beating as "a possibility" in certain circumstances.
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3891789.stm
In his book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam (American Trust Publications, U.S, 1994), Dr al-Qaradawi uses the following adjectives to describe homosexuality and lesbian and gay people:
- perverted act
- a corruption of man's sexuality
- depraved practice
- shameless depravity
- unnatural, foul and illicit practice
- perversity of nature
- aberration
After suggesting that homosexuality is “unlawful” and alluding to divine punishment, Dr al-Qaradawi states:
“Muslim jurists hold different opinions concerning the punishment for this abominable practice [homosexuality]. Should it be the same as the punishment for fornication, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements."
Source:
http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=7142
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=100855
The website which he supervises, IslamOnline, also endorses State punishment for homosexuals, including “burning” or “stoning” to death.
Source:
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=72432
In an interview with The Guardian (12 July), Dr al-Qaradawi attempts to back-track on his extreme homophobia, saying he does not approve of vigilante action against lesbians and gays: “Muslims have no right to punish homosexuals or mistreat them as individuals." However, he reiterates that Islamic countries are entitled to punish lesbian and gay people: “any punishment was a matter for the state, and Muslims were subject to those laws.”
Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1258933,00.html
The best reply to this double-speak is a letter to The Guardian by Rev Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement, published on 14 July:
“Now, at last, I understand Dr al-Qaradawi's views on the killing of gay people (Cleric hits back at uninformed critics, July 12). Distancing himself from edicts on the IslamOnline website (a site he controls), which suggests that homosexuals should be burned or stoned to death, Dr al-Qaradawi told your interviewer individual Muslims should not harm or punish homosexuals. Punishment is, he says "a matter for Islamic states". This means that he is opposed to vigilantism but not to the state-sponsored executions that take place in nine Islamic countries, according to Amnesty International. Islamophobia and homophobia are to be equally deplored from whatever quarter.”
Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,3604,1260550,00.html
Accusing Ken Livingstone of “ignoring the facts” concerning Dr al-Qaradawi’s homophobic statements, Brett Lock of OutRage! said:
“Ken Livingstone has done great work for the gay community, but by rolling out the red carpet for Dr al-Qaradawi he is siding with an oppressor of gay Muslims in Britain and throughout the Islamic world. In the name of fighting Islamophobia, the Mayor is colluding with homophobia. He seems to be downgrading the human rights of lesbians and gay men in order to appease Muslim fundamentalists.”
See also: OutRage! Briefing on Dr al-Qaradawi
http://www.outrage.org.uk/briefing.asp?ID=88
(Ealing Times, 14 July 2004)
Source:
http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/misc/print.php?artid=509277 The truth is Dr al-Qaradawi told Jon Snow on Channel 4 News the night before (13 July), that homosexuality is an “unnatural and evil practice" and said the Koran permitted wife-beating as "a possibility" in certain circumstances.
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3891789.stm In his book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam (American Trust Publications, U.S, 1994), Dr al-Qaradawi uses the following adjectives to describe homosexuality and lesbian and gay people:
- perverted act
- a corruption of man's sexuality
- depraved practice
- shameless depravity
- unnatural, foul and illicit practice
- perversity of nature
- aberration
After suggesting that homosexuality is “unlawful” and alluding to divine punishment, Dr al-Qaradawi states:
“Muslim jurists hold different opinions concerning the punishment for this abominable practice [homosexuality]. Should it be the same as the punishment for fornication, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements."
Source:
http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=7142 http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=100855 The website which he supervises, IslamOnline, also endorses State punishment for homosexuals, including “burning” or “stoning” to death.
Source:
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=72432 In an interview with The Guardian (12 July), Dr al-Qaradawi attempts to back-track on his extreme homophobia, saying he does not approve of vigilante action against lesbians and gays: “Muslims have no right to punish homosexuals or mistreat them as individuals." However, he reiterates that Islamic countries are entitled to punish lesbian and gay people: “any punishment was a matter for the state, and Muslims were subject to those laws.”
Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1258933,00.html The best reply to this double-speak is a letter to The Guardian by Rev Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement, published on 14 July:
“Now, at last, I understand Dr al-Qaradawi's views on the killing of gay people (Cleric hits back at uninformed critics, July 12). Distancing himself from edicts on the IslamOnline website (a site he controls), which suggests that homosexuals should be burned or stoned to death, Dr al-Qaradawi told your interviewer individual Muslims should not harm or punish homosexuals. Punishment is, he says "a matter for Islamic states". This means that he is opposed to vigilantism but not to the state-sponsored executions that take place in nine Islamic countries, according to Amnesty International. Islamophobia and homophobia are to be equally deplored from whatever quarter.”
Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,3604,1260550,00.html Accusing Ken Livingstone of “ignoring the facts” concerning Dr al-Qaradawi’s homophobic statements, Brett Lock of OutRage! said:
“Ken Livingstone has done great work for the gay community, but by rolling out the red carpet for Dr al-Qaradawi he is siding with an oppressor of gay Muslims in Britain and throughout the Islamic world. In the name of fighting Islamophobia, the Mayor is colluding with homophobia. He seems to be downgrading the human rights of lesbians and gay men in order to appease Muslim fundamentalists.”
See also: OutRage! Briefing on Dr al-Qaradawi
http://www.outrage.org.uk/briefing.asp?ID=88 
e-mail:
Homepage:
Comments
Hide the following 16 comments
with respect I think you're in danger of being co-opted
15.07.2004 11:30
But at the moment the right-wing-dominated media are banging the 'Hate Muslims' drum, and the trouble is they jump on anything (however hypocritically) that will help. Seriously, ask yourself, has this story developed the debate on LGBT rights or liberation of LGBT people in Arab countries? Or has it just become part of the whole anti-Muslim discourse?
It looks like divide-and-rule to me, and I genuinely fear that Muslims and LGBT people (and especially LGBT Muslims!) will suffer as a result.
trade unionist
Rethinking Livingstone
15.07.2004 11:42
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Mr Livingstone has sided with various suspect forces. In the wake of the May Day demonstrations in 2000, he rounded on the anti-capitalists (and specifically anarchists), mentioning them in the same breath as the far right - an unjustified comparison for anyone to make, even if one has politcal differences with the anarchist movement. Last week, of course, he encouraged RMT members to cross picket lines and backed London Underground management in their industrial dispute. Today's (July 15th) issue of the left (Communist) daily Morning Star newspaper features correspondence again calling into question Mr Livingstone's left wing credentials.
Caz
Indpendent Left
Co-op out.
15.07.2004 13:16
The fact of the matter is that people are going to oppose the acceptance of Islam if that religion is seen as reactionary, misogynistic and homophobic. This perception is not helped by the marginalising of liberal and progressive Muslim voices in favour of conservative and fundamentalist ones.
Another fact which seems self-evident is that gay groups are only attacking Muslim organisations in self-defence, so it makes much more sense to restrain Islamic homophobes who are causing the trouble than it does to ask gays to turn a blind eye to it.
Qwerty
but Muslims don't control the media portayal of Islam
15.07.2004 15:10
What I'm saying is there's a right-wing media agenda of lumping together and demonising all Muslims using any accusation/smear that comes to hand. Any position you take will be seen in that context whether you like it or not.
(Incidentally, don't imagine I'm in the business of defending Livingstone. He said he'd cross RMT picket lines, and Ken, the word for that is 'scab'!)
trade unionist
And threrefore..
15.07.2004 17:20
You say that it isn't like Mulsim people regularly meet and make decisions, but then neither does the gay community. Are you suggesting that Muslim groups like the MAB and the MCB should have freedom to attack the gays but that gay groups like Outrage should not defend their community?
It is ridiculous what you are asking. You are asking the gay community not to defend itself against attacks by Muslim groups in case the tabloids manipulate he situation. So the little guy can't defend himself against the bully in case a bigger bully decides to bully the bully?
Qwerty
when have MCB or MAB attacked gay people?
16.07.2004 09:11
Muslim Council of Britain:
Muslim Association of Britain:
Fringe extremist groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir and Al-Muhajiroun spout out homophobic rubbish (just like they spout out rubbish about how Muslims shouldn't work with non-Muslims politically) but they're really very small groups representing very few, most Muslims are frankly fed up at these extremists being constantly hyped up by the media as though they were mass organisations.
trade unionist
MAB and MCB
16.07.2004 10:10
The MAB don't have their views on homosexuality on their website, but they're pretty much the same. Feel free to phone them up and confirm.
Brett Lock
but that's exactly the same as Tory policy
16.07.2004 13:59
If you think not, then you need to know that opposing changes to Section 28 and the age of consent is also the official policy of the Conservative Party, and the publicly-stated personal view of the current Home Secretary. Are you going to start picketing Michael Howard and David Blunkett and demanding their exclusion from the country?
(actually fair play if you did, that really would shut me up!)
trade unionist
Tories, et, al...
16.07.2004 15:23
OutRage! did huge campaigns around criticising the government on Section 28, Age of Consent, etc, including pickets and demonstrations. See the OutRage website for details of past campaigns. When the Kent County Council tried to install Section 28-lite last year, The Queer Youth Alliance, OutRage! and other gay activists picketed their offices.
We've just launched our Hard Labour" campaign which takes a critical look at the Government's failings on gay rights:
In fact, when Jacqui Smith, deputy Equalities Minister was due to speak at the Gay Pride launch reception, we leafletted the guests with bright pink "Hard Labour" manifestos - that was what, only two weeks ago...
My point is, if the Muslim Council/Association confine their activities to spiritual and community issues, that's fine, but if they enter the political arena, they should expect to hit resistance just like any other player.
I mean, let's get some perspective here. We did a small and restrained picket outside city hall. We did not interupt his sermon on live national television, disrupt the meeting or block his entrance into the venue - tactics which we have used to protest Christian homophobia. Did we carry a giant papier mache replica of Qaradawi's head through the streets? No, but we did for Tony Blair.
Brett Lock
Alternative Press Coverage of this Issue
17.07.2004 12:13
You may be interested to know that today's issue of the left wing daily paper Morning Star (Saturday 17th July 2004) features a lengthy column by Ken Livingstone in which he defends the visit of Dr al Quaradawi, and accuses 'sections of the left' for being Islamophobic in protesting the visit. Mr Livingstone claims that Dr al Quaradawi is a moderate who neither advocates the maltreatment of gay people or women, Jews or secular persons. Mr Livingstone also states that he disagrees with the leaders of most religions on the issue of same-sex relationships.
The evidence provided by Mr Brett Lock in the above thread appears to contradict Mr Livingstone's claims. (Brett, if you want to respond to Mr Livingstone's claims then the Star's website is www.morningstaronline.co.uk). I will be interested in seeing how this debate pans out over the coming weeks. I understand that the open message boards over at uk.gay.com are also buzzing with the debate over Dr al Quaradawi's visit. Many correspondents are expressing opposition to Mr Livingstone's position so close to the 3rd July Pride March, in which he participated.
The Weekly Worker, published by the Leninist CPGB, also touches on the visit. They come down against Dr al-Quaradawi, but suggest that a state ban on the man might actually prove counter-productive. I haven't read any of the other left, activist and anarchist papers this weekend, but I am sure they will all be covering the issue.
Thank you
Caz
Independent Left
More Alternative Press Coverage of this Issue
17.07.2004 20:14
The anarchist fortnightly Freedom didn't publish this weekend, and I haven't seen any of the other many left papers, but I am sure they will all have positions to take on the matter.
The lesbian and gay weekly Pink Paper meanwhile leads with "Protests at Hate Cleric" with pictures of the picket and their vox pops column interviews various LGBT people about the issue. Perhaps surprisingly, a majority said that they believed the man should be allowed to speak, even though they passionately disagreed with him. However, much dissatisfacton was expressed at Mr Livingstone's handling of the matter.
Thank you.
Caz
Independent Left
An alternative view
12.12.2004 02:16
On behalf of the StraightWay Foundation, UK
10th December, 2004
Dear Sir,
I am glad to see that there is still support for your decision to host the
eminent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, despite the ongoing
campaigns against him and yourself. I can assure you that you have made a great
impression on the whole Muslim community, in the UK and beyond, thanks to your
unwillingness to succumb to smearing tactics employed by Islamophobes
masquerading as human rights campaigners.
Of particular concern to me and my colleagues were the statements made by "gay
Muslim Ramzi Isalam" under the banner of OutRage!. Opportunists like him
attract media attention due to the novelty of hearing a "gay Muslim" voice. If
we define "gay" simply as "attracted to members of the same sex", then it is
certainly the case that many Muslims fall into this category. Yet many prefer
to use the more neutral term "same-sex attracted (SSA) Muslims" [explaining the
reasons for this would take too many lines].
While there are some SSA Muslims who embrace the prevailing paradigm on
homosexuality, there are many others who prefer to maintain a sincere approach
to their Islamic way of life. That means abstaining from homosexual acts and
striving to overcome desires that are considered contrary to God's wishes for
humankind. With this in mind, it should be clear that Ramzi Isalam and his
colleagues certainly do not represent the views of all SSA Muslims! The
majority do not speak to anyone about their feelings, let alone seek media
attention for political agendas, in the manner of OutRage!
The vast majority of Muslims stand by you in your stance regarding Sheikh
al-Qaradawi, whom you have rightly identified as an important voice for
moderation and progress in Islam, as well as dialogue with the West. SSA
Muslims who have contacted us have agreed with our opinion that everything
stated by Sheikh al-Qaradawi on the subject of homosexuality is in agreement
with the texts of Islam. Understanding the context and spirit of his words, and
those of all Islamic scholars, we do not feel condemned or insulted by the
rulings the Sheikh has expounded.
I have attached a copy of the statement we issued last month explaining our
position on the recent campaign against you, as well as some of the wider
issues of Islam and homosexuality. I would be grateful if you would read it in
order to understand how SSA Muslims interpret their feelings in the light of
Islam. Below this letter is a copy of the press release that accompanied the
statement.
Yours in solidarity,
Mujahid Mustaqim
Chairman, the StraightWay Foundation
www.StraightWay.org.uk
CC: London Assembly
Attached: StraightWay Statement 17-11-04 (PDF, 72KB)
====================================================================
PRESS RELEASE:
Same-sex Attracted Muslims Defend Livingstone, Al-Qaradawi
The StraightWay Foundation, 17th November 2004
A new voice has been added to the debate over London Mayor Ken Livingstone
hosting Islamic jurist Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi in July 2004.
A UK-based organisation representing same-sex attracted Muslims has issued a
5-page statement outlining Islam's positions on issues related to
homosexuality.
The statement comes in response to the campaign against Livingstone conducted by
the London Community Coalition. A representative of OutRage! describing himself
as a "gay Muslim" made headlines with his condemnation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi
and all "fundamentalists".
The StraightWay Foundation is primarily composed of Muslims who experience
same-sex attractions but refuse to be labelled as "homosexual". They consider
their attractions to be a test from God, and believe that homosexual acts are
sinful.
A spokesman commented: "We don't seek after publicity, but under the
circumstances it seemed our duty to speak out. It's true that the Muslim
community has ignored our plight for too long, but that doesn't mean we resort
to twisting Islam to suit our desires."
On the subject of the scholar's pronouncements, he added: "What Sheikh
al-Qaradawi said is only what is clear in the sources of Islam. Condemning him
for those views is exactly equivalent to condemning our religion."
For more details, contact
[End]
Najm
Self-loathing
02.03.2005 16:34
Qwerty
Warning
03.03.2005 10:15
Brett Lock
Homepage:
http://www.outrage.org.uk
Extra Warning
13.03.2005 19:46
Salman
StraightWay response
13.03.2005 19:48
in amongst its litany of inaccuracies and slander. Here are some
points by way of response:
1. We are not "an organisation set up to campaign against gay
Muslims" - but we are against any attempts to rewrite the Qur'an or
deny explicit prohibitions therein regarding homosexual acts. Among
our membership are same-sex attracted Muslims, who know that Islam
regards them just as highly as anyone else who is sincere in worship
and obedience to God.
2. We do not have "links to the Christian fundamentalist 'ex-gay'
organisation, The National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality", but we have linked to them on our website and they
have linked to us. That's all.
3. We do not advocate "converting" anyone to "heterosexuality". In
fact, what we say is that a Muslim should seek to enjoy marriage
(with the opposite sex) if that is possible, seeking psychological,
spiritual and practical solutions. Otherwise, he or she should not
resort to anything that is forbidden by our Creator.
4. Yes, we " republishe[d] articles from the Islamic Party of
Britain", and have placed numerous articles on our website from a
multitude of sources. However, our homepage clearly states: "Not all
articles on this site represent the views of the StraightWay
Foundation. Only those written by members do so, whereas others are
provided only due to their containing some useful information or
advice. We do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy found in
such articles." We say "inaccuracy" because our only concern is to
convey honestly what Islam says about such issues - not to please
people of any opinion.
5. It is not true that our document "describes homosexuality as 'an
affliction'". Referring to page 5 will show that that was how we
described same-sex attractions. For any Muslim, these must be an
affliction, since they present him or her with huge dilemmas. The
only options are to abandon the religion, to change it to suit one's
sexual desires, or to realise that faith and obedience to God is the
most important thing in life. This third way is what we advocate.
6. Our so-called "repugnant homophobic views" are what the Islamic
sources teach, no more, no less. This won't please the homosexualist
brigade, but that's not why the Prophets were sent. They often had
to tell their people what they didn't want to hear. Take the Prophet
Lot for example.
7. Brett Lock asks, "How can the Mayor offer his appreciation to a
group that publicises fatwas urging the execution of queers?" I
would think it's simply a matter of courtesy to respond to a lengthy
letter and document expressing thanks for the Mayor's stance. When
we received his response (which was the last to arrive, from those
we received from GLA members), we were disappointed that it had the
tone of a "standard response", which now a mayoral spokesperson has
confirmed it to have been.
8. It's rather rich for OutRage! to use a term like "aggressively
homophobic organisation", when their militancy is beyond limits of
decency. We, on the other hand, merely share the teachings of Islam
as we understand them. New members are joining our support groups
every day, seeking to understand better how they, as same-sex
attracted Muslims, can live healthy, happy and halal lives (i.e.
permitted by God).
9. This one is unbelievable. Lock says: "Their straight therapy
programme causes huge damage to vulnerable individuals who fall into
their clutches." On what information does he base this accusation?
We do not run any "straight therapy programme". We simply advise
Muslims who come to us on how to gain control over their feelings
and actions, while increasing their inner contentment and closeness
to God. We do believe that it is worth figuring out the causes of a
person's same-sex attractions to find whether there are any obvious
ways in which he or she can overcome these unwanted feelings. In
many cases, this simply involves reconciling flawed relationships.
We do not, and have never, advocated any drastic "therapies" that
damage a person, let alone administered such ourselves.
Finally, it is worth pointing out that no matter how hard we try to
have dialogue with homosexualists among Muslims or non-Muslims, it
only becomes clearer that they are not interested in considering any
opinion that contradicts the Western "wisdom" that only solidified
in the last few decades. Nevertheless, we will keep dealing with
these narrow-minded, self-serving cowards with patience, as our
religion urges us to do. We ask God to count us among His sincere
servants, such as those whom the people of Sodom tried to drive out,
crying: "They are people who want to be pure!" [Qur'an 7:82]
We thank OutRage! for including links to our letter and 5-page
document. All we want is for people to reflect and understand.
The StraightWay Foundation
6rd March, 2005
Najm