Tuesday, September 06, 2005
This news article is interesting for no other reason than that...
...I never imagined there was an organization for gay Muslims. Only in America Great Britain!
LONDON - Imaan, the organisation for LGBT Muslims, has issued a statement in the aftermath of the initial London bombings on 7 July, condemning the atrocities and calling for Britain to stand united and to resist attempts to scapegoat the Muslim community for the acts of individuals.
Group leaders were proud to be part of the mayor of London's memorial events the following week, when London remembered those who tragically died in these appalling circumstances.
Imaan is echoing the calls from Azad Ali, Chair of the Muslim Safety Forum, who has called on the Home Office to ensure that there is a clear distinction made between Islam and terrorism. The days following the attacks on 7 July saw the murder of a Pakistani man, many attacks on the Muslim community ranging from verbal and physical abuse to attacks on Mosques, property and businesses.
In this climate, the group is concerned at attempts by some gay and lesbian organisations to ban Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi from entering Britain. It believes such calls contribute to confusion between Islam and terrorism, something it says is profoundly wrong. Group leaders say the association of Islam with the recent bombings, as in Galha's statement that Britain is "reeling from the kind of extreme violence that is spawned by his religion", will only result in divisions between the Muslim and LGBT communities.
Imaan has joined with others in Britain and internationally who have rejected any association between Islam and terrorism and have pointed out that if these atrocities were committed in the name of Islam, those perpetrating them are wrong and deluded.
Dr. Al-Qaradawi, a senior Islamic cleric, has unrelentingly condemned the London bombings. The LGBT Muslim organisation does not agree with Dr. Al-Qaradawi on the issue of homosexuality. However, during this critical time, the group says it is highly divisive to single Islam out as being uniquely reactionary on this matter, when a range of other faith leaders hold to views which are also reactionary with regard to homosexuality.
Dr. Qaradawi speaks on behalf on many people -- gay and straight -- who have genuine concerns about Palestine, Iraq and the huge problems in the wider Muslim world, due to Western interference in Muslim lands.
Imaan has call upon all those within the LGBT community to stand united with the Muslim community, saying that the bombs in London were designed to isolate communities from one another and to whip up fear and terror of each other.
For more information about Imaan, the organisation for LGBT Muslims, visit the Imaan website.
LONDON - Imaan, the organisation for LGBT Muslims, has issued a statement in the aftermath of the initial London bombings on 7 July, condemning the atrocities and calling for Britain to stand united and to resist attempts to scapegoat the Muslim community for the acts of individuals.
Group leaders were proud to be part of the mayor of London's memorial events the following week, when London remembered those who tragically died in these appalling circumstances.
Imaan is echoing the calls from Azad Ali, Chair of the Muslim Safety Forum, who has called on the Home Office to ensure that there is a clear distinction made between Islam and terrorism. The days following the attacks on 7 July saw the murder of a Pakistani man, many attacks on the Muslim community ranging from verbal and physical abuse to attacks on Mosques, property and businesses.
In this climate, the group is concerned at attempts by some gay and lesbian organisations to ban Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi from entering Britain. It believes such calls contribute to confusion between Islam and terrorism, something it says is profoundly wrong. Group leaders say the association of Islam with the recent bombings, as in Galha's statement that Britain is "reeling from the kind of extreme violence that is spawned by his religion", will only result in divisions between the Muslim and LGBT communities.
Imaan has joined with others in Britain and internationally who have rejected any association between Islam and terrorism and have pointed out that if these atrocities were committed in the name of Islam, those perpetrating them are wrong and deluded.
Dr. Al-Qaradawi, a senior Islamic cleric, has unrelentingly condemned the London bombings. The LGBT Muslim organisation does not agree with Dr. Al-Qaradawi on the issue of homosexuality. However, during this critical time, the group says it is highly divisive to single Islam out as being uniquely reactionary on this matter, when a range of other faith leaders hold to views which are also reactionary with regard to homosexuality.
Dr. Qaradawi speaks on behalf on many people -- gay and straight -- who have genuine concerns about Palestine, Iraq and the huge problems in the wider Muslim world, due to Western interference in Muslim lands.
Imaan has call upon all those within the LGBT community to stand united with the Muslim community, saying that the bombs in London were designed to isolate communities from one another and to whip up fear and terror of each other.
For more information about Imaan, the organisation for LGBT Muslims, visit the Imaan website.
