Americas Gay Imam Abdullah: the holy homo

WASHINGTON: Supreme Court of the United States (SCOUT) legalized same-sex marriages across US and religious fractions across US are opposing the decision however there is one Muslim cleric who is not openly gay but performs same-sex marriages as well. He is widely criticized for his belief and dissented not only in person but on the social media as well however he continues his practices in D.C.

Abdullah’s first act as an Imam was that he performed funeral rights for a gay Muslim who died because of AIDS after many imams denied this Muslim the ritual rights as per their beliefs however being a gay Muslim himself he decided to take that responsibility upon himself to perform the rituals. Abdullah believes that every person has equal rights no one has a right to judge any one.

Abdullah believes in the message he is spreading with the faith that it would keep resounding: “It is our relationship with God and our relationship with one another that truly builds up our faith.” He was 15 years old when he came out to his parents, long before he converted to Islam or travelled abroad.

Born in the state of Detroit, his parents were Baptists. At the young age of 15 he came out of them. Abdullah converted to Islam at the age of 33 when he was studying in China, later he moved to Egypt, Syria and Jordan to study the religion. As a homosexual man in America he witnessed that lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual Muslim are not treated in a good way so he decided to become an Imam to provide community support.

Abdullah, is part of a national network of progressive Muslims, is the keeper of their secrets. He quietly helps gay Muslim couples get married, counseling them beforehand and keeping the ceremonies low-profile.

“The wonderful thing about God is that when you change your attitude, and say, ‘God, I require some help,’ and mean it earnestly, God is dependably there for you,” is what Abdullah preaches to devotes during his regular sermons at the Light of Reform Mosque in Washington, D.C.

In a Huffington Post interview Abdullah explained that he was exposed to Hindu gods, Buddhist philosophy, variety of Christian faith before finally deciding to adopt to Islam in China at the age of 29. He believes that “Once LGBT Muslims understand the cultural biases that are often used when interpreting Islam, it’s a new awakening. It helps them to understand that no matter what, they are good people. In the conversations people have at the retreat, they find they are just as equal, just as faithful as anyone else.”

On the same-sex marriage issue he has been criticized globally however he is of the view that, “I do same sex marriages and have been doing so for the last thirteen years, I’m not the only Imam that does so. I find that the process has been one of dealing with the interpretation and it’s always about interpretation and the subjective reasoning that goes behind it.”

He further believes that, “The Koran itself does not say that in clearly in that same way, definitively it must be female or male, but that the person should seek someone who is single because there’s a prohibition against having sexual relationships with someone who is already committed in a marriage.”