Interest, hostility & support
London, UK – 21 September 2018
Muslim worshippers at Central London (Regents Park) mosque reacted with a mixture of interest, hostility and indifference as they were leafleted and engaged in conversation by LGBT+ Muslims supported by the Peter Tatchell Foundation today when they arrived for today’s Friday prayers.
“There were only half a dozen overtly homophobic and aggressive comments; mostly from younger worshippers. Some attendees were curious and others bemused, while the mosque authorities were friendly and obliging. These reactions are indicative of changing attitudes in the Muslim community towards LGBT issues. The level of homophobia was much less today than three or four years ago,” said action organiser Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation
Today’s action is part of the campaign – LGBT-Muslim Solidarity: Fight all hate – organised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation at the request of LGBT+ Muslims.
“Our message to mosque worshippers was that the Qur’an does not explicitly condemn homosexuality and stipulates no punishments. There is no basis in the Qur’an for the persecution of LGBT+ Muslims. Homophobic Muslims are misinterpreting the Qur’an,” added Mr Tatchell.
“The Qur’an states that is it the full and final word of Allah and that it requires no addition or interpretation. The anti-LGBT Hadiths and Sharia law are man-made interpretations which have no basis in the Qur’an. A true Muslim follows the Qur’an alone. We appeal to all Muslims to reject homophobia and to embrace LGBT+ Muslims as a valid and valued part of the Muslim community.”
“This solidarity campaign urges the LGBT and Muslim communities to stand together against prejudice, challenges Muslim homophobia and defends LGBT Muslims against the far right and Islamist extremists,” said Mr Tatchell.