Muslims in America and LGBT Muslims

Christopher Katsarov: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovTORONTO - As authorities investigate the carnage unleashed by an American-born Muslim in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the horror of the attack is being felt particularly keenly by LGBT Muslims, according to Brandon Sun. For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia."The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres ...it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place," said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. As authorities investigate the carnage unleashed by an American-born Muslim in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the horror of the attack is being felt particularly keenly by LGBT Muslims. Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the "physical and spiritual safety" of the congregation, he said. Forty-nine people died in the shooting that took place early Sunday, and dozens more were wounded. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said."We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that."A motive has yet to be established in the Florida attack by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants who was also said to have been a regular at the club where he opened fire. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.