Violence against LGBTQI is a violation against Islam

LOS ANGELES - June 12, 2016 - PRLog -- Muslims for Progressive Values stands in solidarity with the LGBTQI community in Orlando and across the globe. For 10 years we have promoted human solidarity among all people regardless of faith, gender, orientation and ethnicity. For most of that time we have been a lone voice supporting LGBTQI rights while most American Muslim organizations continue to refuse to stand by LGBTQI communities for various, illegitimate reasons. While we understand that every community struggles with homophobia, today it is abundantly clear why the American Muslim community needs to address homophobia in our own community and institutions. We must challenge divisive interpretations of Islam that may encourage those like the gunman in Orlando.

MPV calls on imams and mosque leadership across the country to address the mass shooting in Orlando at their upcoming Friday sermon during this holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of love and empathy and we must remind our congregants that Islam and our Prophet never condoned hate. There is not a single example from the life of our beloved Prophet where a man or women was punished, condemned or even marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender orientation. Hate rooted in sexual orientation has no basis in Islamic or prophetic traditions and therefore our institutions must stand firmly against all hateful interpretations of our faith and all faiths.

Visit our resource page to learn about LGBTQI rights in Islam: http://www.mpvusa.org/lgbtqi-resources/