Muslim cleric 'backs execution of gays'

Don Frame

October 26, 2006

| Submit Comments | Comments (41) | Previous | Next

A ROW has blown up over a claim a prominent Manchester Muslim has defended the execution of sexually-active gay people as "justified".

Arshad Misbahi, a junior Imam at the city's Central Mosque is alleged to have confirmed that it is an acceptable punishment in Iraq and Iran.

His comments are said to have been made to psychotherapist Dr John Casson who is researching the persecution of gays in Islamic states. But they have been condemned as "encouraging conflict between the area's large gay and Muslim communities.

Witnesses

Dr Casson said: "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."

He went on: "I asked him what would be the British Muslim view and 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."

It is understood Imam Misbahi believes his comments were taken out of context and misrepresented. He says will be issuing a statement to clarify his views.

Articles

Outrage as cleric compares women to meat

| Submit Comments | Comments (41) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Iain Monks, Rochdale (26/10/2006 at 11:48)

Quote taken out of context and he's issuing a statement to clarify his views? Didn't do the Pope or jack Straw much good did it?

Clear The Streets, Cheshire England (26/10/2006 at 11:53)

Perhaps Gay people should vote to have Muslim Clerics executed !!

Christian Straight, Cheshire England (26/10/2006 at 12:07)

So is this Muslim cleric saying that there is no such thing as a Gay Muslim ?

straight & athiest, manchester (26/10/2006 at 12:25)

Live and let live man!

dave, manchester (26/10/2006 at 12:25)

Majority of Homophobia in Britain is caused by Religeous Extremists who have no respect for theis country or britains freedoms..

Enigma, Trafford (26/10/2006 at 12:26)

So let me get this straight he can make such comments about groups and get away with it. Anyone else make comments about muslims and all hell breaks lose! If he wants to practice his religion in this country fine, but stop preaching to people who have better things to do. He should preach about peacefully joining the western world or go to another muslim state.

Sandra, Galway (26/10/2006 at 12:41)

Enigma...you took the words right off my keyboard!

I'm a gay, Manchester (26/10/2006 at 13:08)

I feel he has offended me to such an extent that I feel i can no longer express my cultural identify as a homosexual. I feel so isolated now. I feel all the muslims want to ostracise me and I feel I cannot integrate with the rest of the community.

Fine - let all the gays issue a fatwah against him - death by kylie!

Ms D, Manchester (26/10/2006 at 13:32)

These people with backwards views should just shut up ! I am sick and tired of the minority hogging the majority of the news and media these days. BORING !

another straight Christian, Salford (26/10/2006 at 13:36)

it might be an acceptable punishment in Iraq or Iran - but not in England and if he doesn't like the idea that gay people are in England then he should go and live in Iraq or Iran where his beliefs are upheld!

Jo, Salford (26/10/2006 at 15:07)

Arshad Mishabi's remarks are very offensive - but let's not forget that it's not only Islamic extremists who hold views like this. Remember there are Christian groups in the US who believe that AIDS is God's way of exterminating homosexuals, and who protest at the funerals of gay men waving signs proclaiming that the deceased is going to Hell and that 'God Hates Gays'. Religious extremism of all kinds is disturbing, and the more secular our society becomes, the better.

(26/10/2006 at 16:03)

i am a muslim and i amstraight i have no problem dealing with gay people, nor do i think any one has the right to have a problem with gay people.

M.J.Stuart, Wilmslow (26/10/2006 at 16:55)

The Bible, like the Koran, forbids homosexual acts. People with religious convictions are entitled to their beliefs even if many others believe they are wrong.
But I don't think that even Christians who believe every word of the Bible is inspired by God consider that homosexuals should be executed.

S, Manchester (26/10/2006 at 16:56)

I think the media has a social responsibility and should have printed a more objective story. First it is not only Muslim extremists who hold such a view but in every community you find a group who may hold an extreme view. Personally I think the papers should not give news space for such story because I am sure there is more newsworthy events happening around the world.

Tony - straight - pagan., Manchester (26/10/2006 at 17:31)

It is not just Muslims who "dislike" gays. Try joining the Mormons.....a religion based around the "normal" family unit. If you are religious, then you have to believe the words of your bible / Koran. Also homosexuality was illegal in britain until a very short time ago....if found guilty, you would be given "hard labour" in prison. Few people came out of prison in a good state of health after a few years of enforced hard labour. Effectively...a death sentence for some. The fact is that "religious" people are generally againt gays. The only religious people who accept gays, are gay people who have decided that the Bible was only joking, and the Anglican church which is desperate for anyone to attend its services. I am sorry for this comment, but the truth is the truth, and if you can't accept it, then you are no better then the Muslim extremists. However I do think that mass executions are perhaps a little over the top. .....Why not just put a blanket ban over all religions, to keep Gays happy?

Citizen, Manchester (26/10/2006 at 17:37)

Jack Straw says that he would request a female muslim who visits his surgery to unveil her face, result - absolute outrage that anyone should say such a thing. Cries of racism, marches, protests and death threat banners waved about.

Danish newspaper prints joke "cartoon" of the prophet Mohahmed and worldwide riots take place. The embassy is attacked and the Muslim faith is again the "hard done to" Martyr.

Arshad Misbahi says that the execution of gays is justified and it gets third place headline in the Manchester rag.
Why don't the gay/lesbian/trans community WORLDWIDE now give a bit back. Why should they not? This act alone is far worse than the Straw and cartoon episodes combined tenfold.

There is no room in this country for these beliefs.

The situation at the minute reminds me of the spoilt kid at school who would cry to the teacher all the time, want his own way and sulk at the slightest thing but the teacher would always stick up for him and he could not do no wrong.

Old Soldier, Greater Manchester (26/10/2006 at 18:05)

Most normal people will find this verbal hostility between factions of the PC Brigade mildly encouraging.
With any luck, our country will soon be restored to the long suffering majority of its population, and its over publicised minorities will be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Dave McManus, Tameside (26/10/2006 at 18:14)

lets not forget that this is Great Britain,not Iran or Iraq.
This so called "free country" seems to be listening to more and more muslim views and opinions rather than the views of our own.
The majority of the gay community,im sure practice safe sex these days.
What about the carriers of HIV and AIDS.."straight people may i add" over in Africa? Would these people share the same punishment? I dont think so.Some people should just keep their views to themselves,and worry about the goings on in their Islamic States.

Ezz, Horwich (26/10/2006 at 19:46)

I don't suppose Arshad Misbahi is so upset with Great Britain that he's planning to leave?

Aubrey, manchester (27/10/2006 at 00:51)

can ask , is he on benefits, did anyone force him to live here? We are a a tolerant society.I f individuals choose to live here they should accept our culture, if I lived in his country , I would abide with his culture. I f he does not want to accept our culture , I would respectfully suggest, that he returns from whence he came

Ricky G, Whitefield (27/10/2006 at 09:27)

Australia is threatening to deport an Imam who stated white women who bare their flesh are asking to get raped.
Unfortunately our Government does not have the backbone to face upto the problem of Islamic extremists!

Usman Hamid, Manchester Levenshulme (27/10/2006 at 10:15)

The Imam needs to learn what religion & Love between the same sex is about in the 21st centuary ie UNITY amungst all religions this is what Islams long awaited Imam Mehndi is preaching who is already here you could call him the messiah or Christ not Master Jesus they are a group of Ascended Masters/Enlightened ones to help in our Evolution?

Further more it disgusts me that fanatics like this hold these views it is in the creaters choosing who to give life & take it away my message is they have no right giving the death penalty!

Seculist, England (27/10/2006 at 11:26)

Organised religion is the root of all evil.

Leat anyone worship his/her god as he/she wishes, but don't try to foist your views on anyone else.

S, Manchester (27/10/2006 at 12:41)

erm, where in that story did the muslim person say that gays in the UK should be executed? he gave an opinion about things in Iran/Iraq - where for all any of you know this is a justfiable act because it is the law of the land in those countries. Just like the laws of the UK can jail you for murder, robbery etc etc. Its funny how a lot of people jump on the bandwagon at the first sign - "if he doesn't like the way we live in this country he should leave... blah blah blah", "is he recieveing benefits?" and so on. This is such a non story .. more like Dr Casson trying to get his 15 minute of fame! You ask a person about their opinions on an issue in another country, he answers.. and oh my god, he's an extremist, lets kick him out!

Some of you mentioned that this iman was trying to impose his views on us? Sorry, am I being thick? Where actually did he do that?

Like some posters have mentioned, different groups and even individuals all have their own opinions on homosexuality.

Some of you should try reading the whole story first, comprehend it and then make a comment - not just jump on the bandwagon at the first sight of an ethnic story!

Sue, Salford (27/10/2006 at 13:22)

Isn't it time that we started deporting preachers of hatred back to whichever country they originated from (let's not forget guys, that there is not one Imam in the UK who was actually trained here, they're all brought in from other countries).

If you don't like the way we do things in our country, then by all means go to either Iraq or Iran, but I you'll find that they don't have social security or free housing in those countries!

()

Report

News