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Progressive Muslims on Homosexuality |
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Resource item on Islam and Homosexuality
Dear Other Sheep Friend,
 Rev. Steve Parelli, MDiv MCC Clergy
September 26, 2009
Bronx, NY
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New United Nations General Assembly President calls homosexuality 'unacceptable'
by Jessica Geen · September 24, 2009
The newly installed president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Abdussalam Treki, has said that homosexuality is "not really acceptable."
Treki, who is the Libyan secretary of African Union Affairs, opened the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly with a press conference. One question concerned the UN resolution which calls for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.
In reply, Treki said: "That matter is very sensitive, very touchy. As a Muslim, I am not in favour of it . . . it is not accepted by the majority of countries. My opinion is not in favour of this matter at all. I think it's not really acceptable by our religion, our tradition.
"It is not acceptable in the majority of the world. And there are some countries that allow that, thinking it is a kind of democracy . . . I think it is not," he added. |
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Sexuality, Diversity, and Ethics in the Agenda of Progressive Muslims
by Steve Parelli. Bronx, NY
The entire collection consists of essays by 15 Muslim scholars about different aspects of Progressive Islam. Professor Hussain writes in an email, "[The book] came out of 9/11 in response to the question of where are the voices of progressive Muslims?" Amir Hussain contributes a chapter on "Muslims, Pluralism, and Interfaith Dialogue."
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Introduction to Islam
Suggested reading. Islam: A Short History by Karen Armstrong. In 1999, the author received the Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award. "I purchased this book at a museum in Singapore," Steve says, "and have found it to be an excellent introduction to Islam."
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Jose Ortiz, left, discussing homosexuality and religion with Muslim young men at a resort in Lumut, Malaysia, after playing water soccer with them and their teammates. August 15, 2009. |
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UN General Assembly President intolerant of religious freedom & universal human rights
by Steve Parelli, Bronx, NY, September 26, 2009
In reply to Ali Abdussalam Treki's comments as reported in the article at left by Jessica Geen:
The Islam faith, like the Christian faith, is not unified in its position on what its respective sacred writings are understood to teach on the topic of homosexuality. Treki's view of democracy fails to protect the basic human rights of the minority who do not embrace the religious views of the majority. Opposition to homosexuality in this context is strictly religious in nature and therefore violates not only the rights of sexual minorities by preventing them from living in accord with their sexual orientation or gender identity, but also makes inoperative the practice of religious pluralism - that all are free to live before God according to the dictates of their conscience without interference of religious institutions or the state. This is a basic human right - religious freedom - that Treki fails to uphold in his condemning statements on the universal decriminalization of homosexuality. |
| Other Sheep 2009 Southeast Asia Trip
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| Other Sheep is a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry that works worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions.
" . . . connecting people with people and people with resources . . . " |
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