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Breaking Silence on Being Gay and Muslim
July 15, 2008 12:59 PM
By Lara Setrakian, ABC News
You might have caught the debates in the news this week as homosexuality is stirring controversy in the religious world. The Anglican Church is divided by the appointment of its first openly gay bishop.
Meanwhile, a film about gays and lesbians in the Muslim world is challenging notions of right and wrong and religiosity in Islamic culture.
Filmmaker Parvez Sharmaâs film âA Jihad For Loveâ explores the lives of homosexuals across 12 countries.
He told ABC News: âI felt it really important to empower gay and lesbian Muslims to tell the story of Islam."
The characters struggle with their societies, some escaping persecution and abuse. They have strong bonds with their families, but forge a second family among other gay believers.
"Muslims who watched the film actually also are very surprised by the intense religiosity of the people profiled in the film. When you show to a Muslim a person who is as devout, if not more devout than them, then you are presenting a conundrum," Sharma told ABC News.
Sharma and his production team put themselves in danger in order to make the film. They disguised themselves as tourists and charity workers.
Our reporter Lara Setrakian has more on this story. Click here to view.
July 15, 2008 in Lara Setrakian | Permalink | User Comments (3)
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Posted by: queerunity | Jul 15, 2008 1:28:19 PM
Deja Vu!
Some of my best Jewish friends are gay Muslims, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Jul 15, 2008 10:08:41 PM
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
Exodus 22:19
19Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 18:22
22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 18:23
23Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Leviticus 20:13
13If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 20:15
15And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
Leviticus 20:16
16And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Posted by: qazi | Jul 23, 2008 12:39:29 PM
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