Assalamu aleikum. Please note that 2 articles follow:
*Muslim Council gay rights u-turn "welcomed" *Muslim group reveals plan for gay consensus --- (1) Muslim Council gay rights u-turn "welcomed" Marc Shoffman PinkNews 11-Apr-06 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1116.html - The group expressed hope that Sir Iqbal would be part of constructive dialogue http://www.pinknews.co.uk/images/mcb.jpg - 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 MCBs 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 Saeeds 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 MCBs 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 Iqbals 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. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1116.html --- (2) Muslim group reveals plan for gay consensus Marc Shoffman PinkNews 10-Apr-06 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1097.html - photo: Sir Iqbal was accused of homophobia in January after comments on Radio 4 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/images/mcb.jpg - PinkNews.co.uk has been told of a five year plan to combat homophobia in the British Muslim community. Muhammed Aziz, policy advisor to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), told PinkNews.co.uk that significant progress is expected following internal discussions after a productive All Party Parliamentary Group meeting earlier this year, which included the Muslim organisation and gay charity Stonewall. Mr Aziz revealed plans to look at homophobia in the Muslim community and Islamophobia in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in reaction to controversial comments by MCB leader Sir Iqbal Sacranie on homosexuality. It is hoped that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will help conduct the project, a DTI spokesman confirmed discussions have taken place. This marks a shift from previous years where there has been little dialogue between the MCB and gay groups, Mr Aziz said: We have brought about a lot of change from five years ago when the MCB were behind issues such as section 28, and against gay adoption. The first part of the strategy was to tell MCB if you have nothing positive to say keep your mouth shut, most of the negative statements now date back to 1999. Alan Wardle. Stonewalls director of Parliamentary and Public Affairs, confirmed there has been some contact with the MCB but said any specific projects are in the early stages, he said It is something we may look into for the future. Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill calmed the rumours, We have been in meetings with a range of faith groups, there is nothing formal at the moment. The potential partnerships were first fostered at a meeting of the Equality and Diversity Forum on January 18, attended by Mr Aziz, and Mr Wardle, where both agreed their should be further discussions and debate between the communities. This sentiment was reinforced at the January 31 meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Equalities. Other gay rights groups including Outrage are offended that they have been excluded from plans, but Mr Aziz said the issues had to be treated sensitively, They may be uncomfortable about individual personalities, Stonewall are seen as a safe pair of hands. Outrages Peter Tatchell said: How does Muhammed Aziz square this commitment to fight homophobia with Sir Iqbal Sacranies comments that gay people are immoral, harmful and diseased. If the leader of the MCB holds these homophobic views how can we take seriously the MCBs claimed commitment to fighting homophobia. The MCB supports legal discrimination against lesbians and gays, It has opposed every gay equality reform of the last decade. These actions do not look like the actions of an organisation committed to fighting homophobia. The MCB worked with gay groups such as the Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism at last months Unite Against Conference. Secretary, Inayat Bunglawala said at the time, British Muslims welcome working with everyone including members of the Lesbian and Gay community against a common enemy, fascism. Mr Tatchell said: Outrage and other gay groups have been lobbying the MCB for a long time, its great that the MCB is now willing to reciprocate cooperation with the LGBT community. The next step according to Mr Aziz is to get the DTI to take the issues seriously, We are looking to create productive policies rather than news and publicity. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1097.html __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! 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