Paris gay-friendly mosque denounced by Islamic leaders

Islamic leaders in Paris are condemning the opening of what’s been described as Europe’s first gay-friendly mosque.

Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Grande Mosqueé in Paris, told France 24 that the mosque goes against the rules of Islam.

He said: “Worshippers go to a mosque to worship god, they don’t go to demonstrate their sexuality”.

The cleric added: “This is an abuse of the definition of a mosque.”

The mosque is in a small room inside the house of a Buddhist monk and is not supported by any formal Muslim institution.

However, the actual address is still under wraps because of security fears.

It is run by Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed, a gay Islamic scholar, married to a gay man, and the founder of Homosexual Muslims of France.

Mr Zahed had said the mosque will emphasise “accepting everyone as equally God’s creation”.

Last month, Mr Zahed told Turkey’s Hürriyet Daily News that he eventually plans for the mosque to provide same-sex marriage ceremonies.

France’s equal marriage bill is due to voted on by the country’s parliament early next year.

• Dec 31 2024

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