Hat tip, IBA.
Death threats from outraged Muslims who are offended that CH4 would air a documentary about homosexuality in Islam. I guess CH4 missed the memo from Ahmadinejad who announced with a straight face that "there are no homosexuals in Iran" A laughably outrageous statement to the Western world, at least until one considers the fate of gays in Islamic countries.
One might argue that homosexuality is forbidden in most religions, but Islam calls for capital punishment, treating it as a crime rather than a sin.
CHANNEL 4 has come under fire from Islamic leaders
over a television documentary showing how gay and lesbian Muslims
suffer under their laws.
Its director has already had death threats because homosexuality is strictly forbidden by The Koran.
Now station chiefs are bracing themselves for a backlash. Its digital
channel More 4 will show A Jihad For Love tonight. (trailer)
It lifts the lid on the battle gay and lesbian Muslims face as they
struggle with their faith and their sexuality.
The documentary not only shows gay Muslims daring to kiss, holding
hands and talking about getting married, it also provides harrowing
reports on the suffering they have faced under Islamic law.
And it reveals the death threats and punishments handed out to gays in countries including Egypt and Iran.
Indian film maker Parvez Sharma – who spent six years making the
programme – revealed: “I have had death threats on my blog after making
this film. Some countries have even banned it.
“I’ve been called an apostate because Muslims think I have insulted
Islam but I think it will open up a debate.”
Islamic leaders in the UK have attacked the documentary, saying it will
offend, anger and shock.
An Imam from Europe’s largest mosque The Baitul Futuh based in Surrey
condemned the film last night, saying: “These people should not be
confessing their sins to the television cameras.
“They should be doing it in private to God and seeking forgiveness.”
Last night a Channel 4 spokesman defended the documentary.
She said: “This is a sensitively made documentary that has played to critical acclaim at film festivals internationally and is a legitimate area for a documentary film-maker to explore.”
