Mosque w the gay pride flag that lets women lead the pray
LGBTQ EQUALITY ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY This encompasses scholarly work that interprets sacred texts through a lens shaped by Muhammad’s own celebration of the diversity of Creation. In the United States, there is a growing movement to create inclusive communities for LGBTQ Muslims and their allies. Depending on nationality, generation, family upbringing, and cultural influences, Islamic individuals and institutions fall along a wide spectrum, from welcoming and inclusive to a level of rejection that can be marked by a range of actions ranging from social sequestration to physical violence. At the core of Islam is the Shahadah, a declaration of faith that states, "There is no god but God, and later adaptations added “and Muhammad is the messenger of God." The Shahadah is one of the Five Pillars of Islam that also include charitable giving, fasting, praying several times each day, and going on pilgrimage to Mecca, if economically feasible, at least once in a lifetime.īecause Islam has no central governing body, it is not possible to state clear policies regarding issues of interest to LGBTQ people. Its sacred texts are the Qur’an, and secondary sources are found in cultural practices such as Sunnah and less so in Hadith, which continue to be studied and interpreted by both scholars and the faithful. Founded by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 622 CE, Islam is an Abrahamic religion that shares its roots with Judaism and Christianity and recognizes Abraham, Moses and Jesus as prophets. With over a billion followers, Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and noted for its diversity of culture and ethnicity.