UK: Preacher who promotes anti-gay hatred offers student retreats for £120
A homophobic Islamic preacher, who describes being gay as a “criminal act” is offering students the chance to go on a retreat with him.
Sabeel, an organisation set up by Haitham al-Haddad, has been targeting students with ‘discount’ ticket prices at £120 for retreats featuring the extremist cleric.
According to the website Islam24, in an article entitled “Standing up against Homosexuality and LGBTs,” Haddad stated:
“Some absurdly argue that homosexual inclinations are inherited through one’s genetics. However ridiculous such a claim may be, even if accepted for the argument’s sake, it still does not justify the criminal act.”
Quoting the Prophet Mohammed, Haddad then went on to suggest that gay people should suffer violence.
He wrote: “And (remember) Lot, when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in all that has been created? You practise your lusts on men instead of women; you are but a people transgressing beyond bounds.’”
Haddad continued: “And the answer of his people was only that they said: ‘Drive them out of your town; these are indeed people who want to be pure!’ Then we saved him and his family – except his wife, she was of those who remained behind. And we rained down on them a rain (of stones). See how came about the end of the criminals!”
Anti-extremist group Student Rights discovered Haddad was using his organisation to appeal to university students on Facebook.
Student Rights have highlighted the targeting of students by Haddad several times in the past, most recently in September when a retreat featuring Haddad called ‘Leading Proactive Lives’ was promoted via the London Metropolitan University Islamic Society Facebook page.
Among Haddad’s many extremist views include bringing back the stoning of adulterers, punishing ‘traitors’ of religion with death, and supporting terrorist groups.
