Muslim Council gay rights u-turn

[abu ridwan]

Muslim Council gay rights u-turn "welcomed"
11-Apr-06
Marc Shoffman

Revelations that the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has agreed to combat homophobia in the Muslim community have been "warmly welcomed" by OutRage!, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender human rights group.

MCB policy advisor, Muhammed Aziz, revealed a five-year plan against homophobia in an interview with PinkNews.co.uk last week.

"This u-turn is a positive, hopeful sign that the gay and Muslim communities can work together to challenge the twin evils of homophobia and Islamophobia," said Aaron Saeed, OutRage!'s Muslim Affairs spokesperson.

"The MCB’s policy shift follows discreet contact by gay rights groups OutRage! and Stonewall. It comes three months after MCB leader, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, was heavily criticised for anti-gay remarks on the BBC's PM programme," said Mr Saeed

It is understood that the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) will facilitate dialogue between the MCB and the gay community.

"This change of heart is fantastic. The MCB's past opposition to gay human rights has been very hurtful. We were saddened to see the MCB campaigning to retain the notorious Section 28, and distressed by its attacks on same-sex parents and civil partnerships. We hope the MCB's
support for homophobic discrimination is now a thing of the past and that we can move forward together," said Mr Saeed.

Peter Tatchell of OutRage! echoed Mr Saeed’s welcome: "We salute Mr Aziz and the MCB for their commitment to tackle homophobia and establish dialogue with the gay community. We look forward to constructive engagement with the MCB."

The MCB’s move was also praised by Brett Lock, OutRage!'s campaign organiser: "In February, a gay Muslim asylum seeker from Sudan, Nahi Mudwai, committed suicide by jumping into the Thames after his family's homophobia drove him to despair. Thousands of young gay people from religious families, not only Muslim, of course, experience rejection and depression because of faith-inspired homophobia.

"We applauded the MCB for its decision to combat anti-gay attitudes," said Mr Lock.

Commenting on the homophobic comments of MCB leader, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, made earlier this year on the BBC, Mr Lock added: "Sir Iqbal’s condemnation of gay people as socially destructive spreaders of disease was deeply offensive. "We hope Sir Iqbal will be part of this dialogue and that he will signal the resolve of the entire MCB leadership to join the fight homophobia.

"OutRage! reaffirms its commitment to challenge racism and Islamophobia. We oppose all forms of hatred and discrimination," said Mr Lock.

The group expressed hope that Sir Iqbal would be part of constructive dialogue

[aburidwan]

This is a very, very dangerous path taken by MCB. It seems like the objective of MCB is to dilute the pure message of Islam. The MCB is like all those Christian organisations that came about and slowly changed the whole of Christianity. If the MCB is left on its own and not challenged then it would seriously damage Islam. MCB should be accounted, challenged and shunned. All the affilliates of MCB should IMMEDIATLY leave this organisation. MCB is a western ploy to destroy Islam. EXPOSE MCB NOW. There are lots of sincere Muslims within the ranks of MCB, until now they have been deceived, they made many excuses for MCB, previously, however, the time has come now to abondon MCB.

[Islamic Revival]

This is ridiculous. Their decision to compromise on such a serious issue should be exposed.

[MCB clarification]

MCB clarification
Tuesday 25 April 2006

Following recent press coverage it is reiterated that the practice of homosexuality is sinful in Islam.Following some recent inaccurate reports in the media, the Muslim Council of Britain wishes to make it clear that the statements attributed to Abdul Aziz by the Gay website Pink News - where he was erroneously described as 'the policy advisor to the MCB' - were unauthorised and not at all representative of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The MCB believes that homosexual relationships are sinful and clearly go against Islamic teachings.

The article written by Marc Shoffman contained various inaccuracies that have misrepresented the MCB. Chief amongst them is the reference to a 5-year plan endorsed by the MCB. Abdul Aziz has confirmed to the MCB that no such plan exists and that the reference to one was entirely fictional.

MCB has always been and remains committed to a non—discriminatory, just and cohesive society in Britain.

[Islamic Revival]

Ok, I'm glad that the confusion has been cleared, but am confused about this:

MCB said:

MCB has always been and remains committed to a non—discriminatory, just and cohesive society in Britain.

Taken in relation to this issue, does this mean that the MCB does not discriminate against gays?