The Times
14th January 2006

Sir, In light of the bizarre news that the Metropolitan Police is to “investigate” comments about homosexuality made by Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, (report, Jan 12) we, the undersigned, Imams and representatives of various British Muslim organisations, affirm that Sir Iqbal’s views faithfully reflected mainstream Islamic teachings.

The Koran and, we believe, the Bible, together with all the Prophets of God, up to and including Muhammad (peace be upon them all), taught that marriage should be between man and woman, not between people of the same sex. The practice of homosexuality is regarded as being sinful in Islam.

We are deeply concerned about the breakdown of basic family values and the undermining of the key institution of marriage in Britain today. All Britons, whether they are in favour of homosexuality or not, should be allowed to freely express their views in an atmosphere free of intimidation or bullying. We cannot claim to be a truly free and open society while we are trying to silence dissenting views.

HABIBUR RAHMAN
President, Islamic Forum
Europe

ABDUL HAMEED QURESHI
Lancashire Council of Mosques

MAWLANA ABDUL HADI UMRI,
Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Birmingham

MAWLANA RASHID RABBANI,
Jamiat-e-Ulama, Bradford

MAWLANA MUHAMMAD ADAM,
Bolton Council of Mosques

ABDUL KARIM GHEEWALA
Federation of Muslim Organisations, Leicestershire

MAWLANA BOSTAN QADRI,
Confederation of Sunni Mosques, Birmingham

IMA ABDUL QADIR BARKATULLAH
North Finchley Mosque, London

DR SUHAIB HASAN,
Islamic Shariah Council

MR ZAHIR BIRAWI,
Grand Mosque, Leeds

IMAM DR ABDUL JALIL SAJID,
Council of Mosques, London and Southern Counties

DR MUNIR AHMED,
Islamic Society of Britain

MR AHMED SHEIKH,
Muslim Association of Britain

MR IDRIS MEARS,
Association of Muslim Schools

DR ABDUL FATTAH SAEED,
Al Muntada al Islami, London

DR YUNES TEINAZ,
Regent's Park Mosque, London

DR HAFIZ AL-KARMI,
Mayfair Islamic Centre, London

MR ISMAIL PATEL,
Friends of al-Aqsa

DR MANAZIR AHSAN,
Islamic Foundation, Leicester

DR AHMAD HASAN,
World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community

MR MUNAWWAR RATTANSI,
Council of European Jamaats

MR YOUSUF BHAILOK,
Former Secretary-General, The Muslim Council of Britain