Here is a silly press release from the Islamist twerps of the “Islamic Education and Research Academy” (iERA).
For the evidence against speakers at their latest assembly of hate preachers, to be held tomorrow at the Ibis Hotel in Earls Court, London, please see this post.
***
PRESS RELEASE: iERA responds to Accusations of Calling for Homophobic Hatred & Violence
START
iERA Responds to Accusations of Calling for Homophobic Hatred & Violence
15th January 2011
Yesterday the Pink Paper published an article entitled “Ibis hotels slammed for hosting conference by anti-gay Islamic extremists” that stated the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) are hosting “extremist anti-gay hate preachers”. In light of the comments and baseless accusations raised by the paper, iERA would like to categorically express that it does not in any way encourage hatred or violence towards human beings with homosexual inclinations.
Saqib Sattar, Vice-Chairman of iERA, states “iERA and any of its speakers have never called for hatred or violence towards homosexuals; these accusations are antithetical to our work in thought and deed. iERA has been working very hard in empowering the Muslim community to engage with others in a peaceful manner and to positively contribute to the wider society. For instance at the conference, iERA will be supporting the Anthony Nolan Trust by enabling its participants to donate blood, which will be used for the potential benefit of all people in the community. This is not unique, Muslim communities contribute immensely to the social welfare of our society, and that is through remaining loyal to the basic tenets and values of their faith. This is the main theme of our upcoming conference.”
To demystify Islam’s position on this matter we must clarify that the act of homosexual sex is strongly forbidden in Islamic ethics and morality, which is similar to Christian and Jewish perspectives. To contextualise this further, Islamic ethics forbid any sexual activity outside of marriage and views society as being fundamentally family centric. We need to appreciate that Islam is not based on a liberal philosophy and therefore it has its own conception of how society should conduct itself. Any act that antagonises the Islamic conception of society is against Islamic ethical and moral values; hence Islamic Law has mechanisms and rules in place to protect society.
To put a caveat to this all, we do not advocate any hatred or violence to anyone and urge all members of society to obey the law. Significantly we encourage open and frank discussion on these key issues, which unfortunately is yet to occur due to a liberal bias in the media and other institutions.These accusations do an enormous disservice to the Gay and Lesbian community by stifling discussion with mainstream religious traditions. Such actions do harm to our ability to openly and frankly exchange and discuss different ideas.
END
Notes to the Editors
1. iERA stands for the Islamic Education and Research Academy
2. iERA is committed to presenting Islam to the wider society, http://www.iera.org.uk/.
3. To contact our media team please email media@iera.org.uk.
4. iERA is a registered UK charity in the United Kingdom, number 1134566
***
And here is an entertaining comment at Pink Paper:
Peter Lloyd, I’m afraid you have been greatly misinformed. None of your facts in this article are true. Infact IERA have just issued a press release contradicting your story and stating they are firm believers in peace and not inciting any form of hatred of the Gay community. I urge you to read this as they are keen to set the record straight and prevent any scaremongering your story will incite. I am a Muslim and a firm believer in gay rights. Some of my close friends are gay and I would not let anyone hurt them or speak badly of them. This may sound unbelievable to many readers on this forum but I have learnt Islam from the speakers mentioned in this article. Please believe me and research their talks and message for yourselves as they are preachers of peace not hate, especially Dr Zakir Naik. In his defense I would like to add that yes he was banned from entering the UK and this was done as a result of successful lobbying and petitions from far right groups including the EDL
***
