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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments
Hide the following 12 comments
the struggle within Islam against homophobia continues too
04.01.2006 17:19
Back then, Muslims who were gay were not part of a discernable group. If anything we were part of a larger, mostly London-based Asian presence that congregated at gay Bhangra clubs like Club Kali and Shakti - if at all.
The need to reconcile Islam with sexuality seemed to coincide with a coming-of-age of a particular generation of gay people from Muslim backgrounds born in this country that had witnessed the growth of a gay culture in England. It was inevitable therefore that at some point they would start to ask, 'Why should I not be able to be both gay and Muslim?'
The birth of the new group Al Fatiha UK (Al Fatiha is the name of the opening chapter in the Quran) was an exciting and invigorating affair. Very quickly plans were made for the very first LGBT Muslim conference. All of us involved in running the group, a collective of about six 20 to 30-something lesbian and gay Muslims of Pakistani origin, rallied round and began fundraising for the groundbreaking event.
Since then we have held three conferences altogether in London and taken part in gay Muslim conferences all over the US.
As the UK group evolved and came of age, our name changed to Imaan meaning 'Faith'."
rainbow hijab
Bizzare Tatchell
04.01.2006 17:36
Memory-Hole-Catchers-Mitt
Perversion cannot be tolerated under Islam
05.01.2006 04:07
لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله
Anonymous Muslim
Keep it to yourself "brother"
05.01.2006 08:14
Whiteman
Homosexuality is forbiddon by Christianity and Judaism too!
05.01.2006 10:14
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13. "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:32.
See also Leviticus 18:22, Genesis 19, Romans 1:18-32, I Corinthians 6:9-11, I Timothy 1:10, and Jude 7.
And that is from the Old Testament - the holy book of the Jews aswell as the Christians. Both Christians and Jews totally comdemn the abominable act of sodomy and the vile practice of homosexuality. OK so you on Indymedia are athiests well you are in good company as the worlds worst tyrants and mass murderers were atheiests as well such as Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot. There is a wide road and there is a narrow road. The narrow road is called Christianity and wide road is called Athiesm. Unfortunatly the wide road leads to a fate worse than death - to hell.
Christian
Dear Whiteman
05.01.2006 10:36
Memory-Hole-Catchers-Mitt
hmmmm?
05.01.2006 11:21
What evidence do you bring to bak up such a generalisation?
Here is one of my own ... the neurotic intolerance that religions tap into to promote the notion that they are the mouth piece for some never-to-be-seen-or-heard-sky-ghost, has killed far more people over the last 2500 years than athiests (although it would be interesting for you to identify those mass murderers you believe to be athiests).
Whilst holding any homophobic views very firmly at arms length (like any other rotten, ofensive thing), it would seem that the MCB spokesperson was very careful to indicate that [he] was committed to tolerating and peacefully co-existing with LGBS people in the full sense of democratic pluralistic societies, whilst maintaining a distance and different point of view.
I find nothing to indicate either the attempt to exploit the issue to further political/religious advancement, nor to satisfy an all to common desire to be seen as 'more holy than thou' through the traditional torture and killing of dissedents/heritics.
It is unfortunate that those who practice religious observation (in no way the same amount as those who claim to, let alone those for whom it is claimed - blanket style - in lue of actually asking!) hold idiotic and offensive views ...
... let them ... it is no skin off my nose.
However, when such thoughts turn to remedial action (a polite way of saying intimidation) then I am with my LGBS commrades (so to speak).
And, whilst I can't agree with all that Tatchell says, he has my admiration for persistance, vision, consistancy and bravery.
Death to intolerance.
jackslucid
e-mail:
jackslucid@hotmail.com
Tolerance According to Iqbal Sacrani
06.01.2006 16:49
A
Sacranie's influence in action....
11.01.2006 00:10
This assumption that the elder Muslims are old-fashioned and the younger Muslims will prevail as representatives of diversity and tolerance couldnt be more wrong!
What's worse is the gay members who are actually SUPPORTING a clearly homophobic writer - maybe we need to redress that balance....
GW
Liberal Democracy and Islam
12.01.2006 13:29
The Islamic establishment (s) will not accept the acceptance of homosexual partnerships because it is against their religion, though some individual Muslims may do so.
Stop pretending and realise the spread of Islam is dangerous for gays and lesbians.
Marie
The Respect coalition is in crisis.
13.01.2006 20:09
Uncle Joe
The Law According to Sir Ian Blair
15.01.2006 22:52
A