When Washington voters approved a referendum last November legalizing same-sex marriage, I bet most people didn’t expect to see them performed at a Muslim mosque. But that is exactly what is happening now, mostly in secrecy because they fear reprisals from the more reactionary members of Islam:
A Washington Imam has become a local hero amongst the gay community as he quietly conducts marriage ceremonies for gay Muslim couples.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is a progressive Muslim and America’s first openly gay Imam. The African-American Islamic convert is a specialist in Sharia law: however, his interpretation of the Koran differs from the mainstream Islamic view of homosexuality.
The Washington Post conducted an interview with Abdullah who runs Washington’s Light of Reform Mosque. He said “if you have any same-sex marriage, I’m available.” The Imam revealed he has conducted low-profile wedding ceremonies for gay Muslim couples, which could lead to repercussions if details emerged.
Abdullah is part of a group called Muslims for Progressive Values, which takes a much more liberal stance on Islam and the Quran than you may be used to. As I have argued repeatedly, it’s important to remember that there is no single Islam, there are many Islams, just as there are many Christianities.
