Killing gays is OK, says Muslim Imam

Manchester's leading Imam has confirmed that he thinks the execution of sexually active gay men is justified, reports Outrage.

Mr. Arshad Misbahi, who is based at the Manchester Central Mosque, confirmed his views in a conversation to Dr John Casson, a local psychotherapist.Dr Casson said: "I asked him if the execution of gay Muslims in Iran and Iraq was an acceptable punishment in Sharia law, or the result of culture, not religion. He told me that in a true Islamic state, such punishments were part of Islam: if the person had had a trial, at which four witnesses testified that they had seen the actual homosexual acts.""I asked him what would be the British Muslim view? He repeated that in an Islamic state these punishments were justified. They might result in the deaths of thousands but if this deterred millions from having sex, and spreading disease, then it was worthwhile to protect the wider community.""I checked again that this was not a matter of tradition, culture or local prejudice. 'No,' he said, 'It is part of the central tenets of Islam: that sex outside marriage is forbidden; this is stated in the Koran and the prophet had stated that these punishments were due to such behaviours.'"Gay and human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell said: "It is disturbing that some British imams are endorsing the execution of gay and lesbian Muslims."Imam Arshad Misbahi's homophobic attitudes give comfort and succour to queer-bashers. They encourage conflict and disharmony between Manchester's large gay and Muslim communities."Muslim and gay people know the pain of prejudice and discrimination. We should be working together to challenge homophobia and Islamophobia. I hope liberal Muslims will speak out in defence of the human rights of lesbians and gay men," said Tatchell.Adnan Ali, founder of the British branch of Al-Fatiha, an organisation for gay and lesbian Muslims was unimpressed with Misbahi’s rant, and told GAY.com:"I completely disagree with Arshad Misbahi's view about execution of actively lesbian and gay people. A person with such an obsession about execution of human beings is not even entitled to be addressed as Imam. Islam is a very tolerant religion and celebrates the human diversity in its core message. "The holy book Qur'an does not mention anywhere about the execution or killing of human beings on the basis of their sexuality. What surprises is this obsession of the Islamic clerics to killing and execution. Why? What about dialogue? Discussion? "When people like Arshad Misbahi agree to have a dialogue and discussion on the issues surrounding homosexuality, then they would be entitled to earn the title of an Imam..."Arshad Misbahi's comparison of same sex relation to adultery is nothing but ignorant and utterly irresponsible rhetoric, manifesting the wrong teachings of Islam. The media should be very cautious of how they look into this message, and not take it for granted as the general view of the Muslim community all over".

and muslims play the victim, and the bbc lap it up.

on the same day in australia