Iraqi Ayatollah removes gay fatwa

[davidinalameda]

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/politics/2005-1476.html

Iraqi gays are claiming success following the decision of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to remove from his website a fatwa calling for the killing of homosexuals in the "worst, most severe way possible".

The removal on 10 May 2006 follows protests to Mr Sistani by the London office of the Iraqi gay rights organisation, Iraqi LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), which represents a clandestine network of lesbian and gay activists inside Iraq's major cities, including Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala, Hilla, Duhok and Basra.

Following two weeks of negotiations with Iraqi LGBT – UK, Mr Sistani's office agreed to remove the fatwa calling for the murder of gay men, but refused to remove the fatwa urging punishment for lesbianism.

Initially, the office had demanded that Iraqi LGBT-UK delete their criticisms of Mr Sistani from their website and apologise to the Grand Ayatollah for questioning his religious authority.

[RedStateShame]

1. Congratulations, Iraq,

You're just that much more progressive than the US.

[Ian David]

2. Great! Now, what about the Fatwah on men who trim their beards?

"You can be gay now. just don't trim the corners of your beards. No beard trimming. That goes for the lesbians, too. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani likes his men buff and hairy. If you trim your beard, you shall be put to death. So I have decreed."

[idgiehkt]

4. that is so funny...

lol

reading this thread and the thread on straights not wanting gay people to have marriage is doing weird things to my head. It's all degrees, isn't it.

[xchrom]

3. i said kill them in the worst possible way -- but i've changed my mind...

ooops!

can anyone guess the vibe i'm sending al sistani?

[Meldread]

5. Lynndie England please report for duty...

...we have one more Iraqi for you...

Smile for the camera, Sistani.