An update to the ongoing campaign of torture and murder of suspected gay men conducted by some religious extremists in Iraq. Moqtada Sadr, the powerful radical Shiite cleric, says the "depravity" of homosexuality must be eradicated but warned the anti-gay violence must stop, according to a spokesman quoted by the AFP.
" 'The purpose of the meetings is to fight the depravity and to urge the community to reject this phenomenon,' said Sheikh Wadea al-Atabi, referring to a Thursday seminar attended by clerics, tribal leaders and police. 'The only remedy to stop it is through preaching and guidance. There is no other way to put an end to it,' he said, stressing that the movement could not resort to violence after a series of killings of gay men in Baghdad. 'Al-Sadr rejects this type of violence ... and anyone who commits violence (against gays) will not be considered as being one of us.' "
Recent, gruesome attacks against suspected gays are increasing in Shiite neighborhoods, especially in the sprawling slum of Sadr City, Baghdad. Shiite-affiliated Iraqi militia have been accused of killing gay men and suspected gay men with horrific anal superglue torture. Amnesty International wrote a letter to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki last month urging government protection of homosexuals.
Sadr's motives are uncertain. But with the Iraqi government having limited authority and the United States unable to curtail the anti-gay violence—or indeed much of the other violence in Iraq—Moqtada Sadr is the only authority who can exert some influence. A radical Islamic cleric warning against anti-gay violence. Who would have thunk it?
Sadr Wants "Depraved" Homosexuality Eradicated [AFP]
Some Background ...
Iraqi Militia Killing Gay Men with Horrific Anal Torture? [R20]
if wonder how this will affect gay u.s. soldiers in iraq....they must be doubly stressed etc...
shame
ab
Posted by: alicia banks | 29 May 2009 at 16:30
A US soldier being gay is the least of his or her problems in Iraq. Soldiers get killed over there by just wearing the uniform.
Posted by: Ravenback | 29 May 2009 at 18:20
Well, at least he is honest, hate them but don't kill them, the church going "Christians" in this country want to "love" you but hate the "sin," when they hate both and are too hypocritical to say so, I like my hate straight up with no spin like this churl's.
Posted by: Luther | 29 May 2009 at 21:39
Sadr's motives are uncertain because he doesn't want anyone to kill his long-time lover of 15 yrs.
Posted by: Kmark | 29 May 2009 at 23:14
The more I focus on photos of Moqtada Sadr, the more I am convinced she is really a drag king.
Her moustache and beard are simply paste-ons. Look at the photo: She keeps her long, wavy brown tresses stuffed up in that turban of hers during the daytime. At night, in the privacy of her bedroom, she lets them down for her lover.
Notice that she is utterly silent about lesbians.
Posted by: Jim | 30 May 2009 at 01:51
I have seen this on several other sites and I question the sincerity of the statement.
I find it odd al-Sadr is not quoted personally. And the fact he is supported by anti-everything western Iran makes it more suspect.
I'll bottom line what I am trying to say. I don't believe it.
Posted by: gurlene | 30 May 2009 at 10:51