Denmark: Support for Muslim homosexuals

This story was in the news two weeks ago. Asmaa Abdol Hamid's party is currently discussing whether she will indeed be the party's candidate for the next parliamentary elections.

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Muslim homosexuals are happy with Asmaa Abdol Hamid's statements that people can be both Muslim and homosexual.

Ibrahim, of the Sabaah association says that it means an immense lot. "We have hoped to be backed by such a person, it's completely indescribable." Sabaah is working to build a social network for homosexuals of another ethnic background.

Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, the Muslim Red-Green Alliance's candidate for parliament, has said in an interview in Politiken on Sept. 23 that there is no contradiction between being a Muslim and being homosexual.

Ibrahim didn't believe his eyes when he got a mail about the interview. "It's something we have dream of since we started the association," says Ibrahim, "it stresses that the recognition comes from within the Muslim community."

He adds that though it makes a person feel good to be supported by an external source, it's completely different in this case since she has an understanding of the culture, language and religious connection.

Ibrahim explains that many Muslim homosexuals want to hold on to their culture, traditions and religion.

"It's almost a miracle for us that such a person, who is a conservative Muslim and politician, stands up and says such things," says Ibrahim.

He thinks generally that Asmaa Abdol-Hamid is a respected person and says that people accept what she says because she is respected in Muslim circles.

Source: Politiken (Danish)

See also: Norway: First Muslim homosexual (and a bit on antisemitism), Denmark: Danish Muslims participating in Yemeni Islam courses, Abdol Hamid: Support for Iraqi insurgents, Denmark: Feminist, socialist, devout Muslim