Posted on 01/03/2006 2:15:27 PM PST by Pikamax
Muslim head says gays 'harmful'
Sir Iqbal Sacranie said everyone's views should be heard
A British Muslim leader has told the BBC he believes homosexuality is "not acceptable" and denounced new same-sex civil partnerships as "harmful".
Head of the Muslim Council of Britain Sir Iqbal Sacranie said bringing in 'gay marriage' did "not augur well" for building the foundations of society.
Nevertheless, he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme, everyone should be tolerant.
Peter Tatchell of gay rights group OutRage! said: "It is tragic for one minority to attack another minority."
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/PA_NEWA33927281136311702A000?source=PA%20Feed
Top Muslim slams civil partnerships
3 January 2006
A British Muslim leader has sparked anger by condemning civil partnerships and describing homosexuality as harmful.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, said same-sex relationships risked damaging the very foundations of society.
He said that homosexuality spread disease and was immoral.
Sir Iqbal said civil partnerships were "harmful" and not acceptable.
"This is harmful," he said. "It does not augur well in building the very foundations of society - stability, family relationships. And it is something we would certainly not in any form encourage the community to be involved in."
Speaking on BBC Radio Four's PM programme, Sir Iqbal underlined the importance of tolerance. But asked if homosexuality itself was harmful to society he said: "What is not acceptable, there is a good reason for it. Each of our faiths tell us that it is harmful and I think, if you look into the scientific evidence that has been available in terms of the forms of various other illnesses and diseases that are there, surely it points out that where homosexuality is practised there is a greater concern in that area."
But Sir Iqbal said everyone should be tolerant.
"We tolerate each other," he said. "We may not be happy with the views being expressed by others. But the difficulty comes in that at the end of the day we are human beings."
He said opponents of civil partnerships had the right to speak out against them. But those who supported them also had a right to be heard.
Gay rights group OutRage! condemned the comments. Founder Peter Tatchell said: "It is tragic for one minority to attack another minority. Both the Muslim and gay communities suffer prejudice and discrimination. We should stand together to fight Islamophobia and homophobia."
> A British Muslim leader has told the BBC he believes homosexuality is "not acceptable" and denounced new same-sex civil partnerships as "harmful".
I'd rather be gay than Muslim. (And I ain't either.)
Well, gotta agree with the Muslims on this.
"Peter Tatchell of gay rights group OutRage! said: "It is tragic for one minority to attack another minority."
Oh that's just the beginning, Pete.
This guy is nuts! He thinks they are both minorities? LOL
I agree with the previous poster; I'd rather be gay than muslim.
At least gays just slam into each other, not buildings.
Making popcorn now...
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
They better listen - Europe could be under muslim rule sooner than they think, at the rate things are going.
The old "even a broken clock is right twice a day" scenario!
Unbelievable! Peter boy here thinks that he and Sir Iqbal should be on the same side.
Message to Mr. Tatchell!...These guys would kill every homosexual they could get their hands on if they had their way!
Gay relationships are harmful but honor killings are not? The old double standard is showing big time!
This will get the old queens at the BBC in a tizzy.
True, but as a Christian, I am not one to say, "Off with their heads!!"
Does the same belief apply to the sons of Mohammed?
I hardly think so.
The UK better heed the word of their future masters.
That's funny, cause I think Muslim heads are 'harmful'.
They'll never get along. Muslims are against pork(ing).
Oh you did it now mister.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.