02/16/2006
Violence Promised for Gay Pride in Moscow
A planned Gay Pride parade in Moscow this spring has inspired a call for violent protests from Russia's top Muslim leader, Mufti Talgat Tajuddin.
According to MosNews, Tajuddin said "gays could be beaten" if they go ahead with the parade and celebrations: "Muslims’ protests can be even worse than these notorious rallies abroad over the scandalous cartoons."
A leading Russian rabbi concurred. "I would like to assure you, that the parade of homosexuals it is not less offensive to the feelings of believers than any caricatures in newspapers," said Rabbi Berl Lazar, calling the planned parade "a blow for morality."
Parade organizer Nikolai Alekseyev responded: "Any comparison between the march for human rights and against discrimination with the publication of cartoons is nothing more than an attempt to incite hatred toward sexual minorities."
The Mayor of Moscow has said the city will not allow the parade in any form and "severe suppression" will occur if any attempts to organize do occur.
Russian Chief Rabbi Echoes Muslim Leader in Protesting Gay Pride in Moscow [mosnews]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 3:20 PM EST by Andy in Current Affairs | Permalink
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awww, sweet. See how religious fundamentalism and violent homophobia can bring people together?
I'm touched.
Posted by: FASTLAD | Feb 16, 2006 3:41:11 PM
as a queer USSRian jew who was brought here by my parents when i was 7 i would just like to say "fewf, thanks again dad."
Posted by: leo | Feb 16, 2006 3:54:01 PM
Good Lord, what the hell did we do now to piss off Mufti Talgat Tajuddin? Someone draw a picture of Mohammad in bed with Hitler?
I like to think I am a globally accepting person, but listening to these Fundi-terrorists talk about "calls for violence" really does not place the Muslim culture, in general, in a good light. I can't help but be a little... defensive... about it.
All this crap is about religeon and whose God has the bigger set of balls. Imagine how much happier this planet would be without religeon?
Thank God I get the joke.
Rad
Posted by: Rad | Feb 16, 2006 5:14:46 PM
Lest anyone forget, we have more than our share of hateful religious homophobes over here too -- only here, they're mostly of the Christian variety.
Posted by: Glenn | Feb 16, 2006 8:55:49 PM
Islam, Judiaism, Buddhism, Christianity: every organized religion has objections to homosexuality. Some objections are based on scripture, some are based on the opinions of church leaders or scholars. Most religions also have sects that more or less accept homosexual orientation, if not homosexual activity. We should expect that homophobic attitude from religious leaders.
OTOH, Moscow is not some provincial village, controlled by church elders and domineering mothers. It's a massive, vital, progressive city of world importance. For it's mayor to deny the rights of any peaceful group to hold an organized parade is heinous act. It's a throwback to the "bad old days" of the Soviet machine.
London, Paris, Moscow, Berlin, New York; They all have to set the example for the rest of the world to follow. If Moscow and Beijing are allowed to discriminate against any minority group they choose, how are we ever going to convince smaller cities in less sophisticated countries that ideas like apartheid, genocide, torture and Gay bashing are unacceptable in the civilised world?
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 16, 2006 10:09:30 PM
I say it's time to hit Moscow's Mayor where it hurts. BOYCOTT MOSCOW. Pressure American companies to quit doing business in Moscow. Pressure everyone helping Moscow to QUIT helping Moscow.
I used to love Moscow and it kills me to see this beautiful city become a Beacon of Hatred. But it IS. This can not stand. We must join with our gay brothers and sisters in Russia TO HELP THEM FIGHT the homophobic thugs in the Mayor's office and in the synagogues and mosques and churches.
Posted by: Hephaestion | Feb 16, 2006 10:21:52 PM
Wow...being Jewish myself, it really sucks to hear a Rabbi say that. Just thinking about the sick irony/hypocrisy of religious people asking for and threatening violence against people...it just sucks, and its really sad. No wonder why so many people are turned off by religion, it's infested with bigotry and nonsense.
Posted by: matt | Feb 16, 2006 10:26:33 PM
So let me see if I get this right: we, non religous westerners are not allowed to impose our values on religous people (thus bowing to their rules) but in an incredible case of double standards, religious people can do what they want, regardless of who they offend? Am I right?!?!
Posted by: Zefrog | Feb 17, 2006 6:37:57 AM
>>religious people can do what they want...?
Yes. As long as they respect the rights of non-believers.
It's not as important that you are offended, as it is that they are free to worship. But you must also be free to believe as you choose.
Freedom is the issue at hand. If it doesn't apply to everyone, it isn't freedom.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 17, 2006 8:04:46 AM
I say demonstrations in front of the Russian Embassies around the world. Put pressure on the Russian government to take a different stand.
Posted by: Wotm | Feb 17, 2006 9:06:20 AM
The comments from this Muslim "leader" are quite chilling. He threatens physical violence against anyone participating in the planned gay pride parade. In fact, reading between the lines leads me to think that he is advocating murder - since that is what Sharia law calls for.
During the days of the USSR, much was done to keep Islam "in check". How sad that there aren't any mainstream voices in Russia condemning these threats, which come from both a Muslim and a Jew (who would have thought...)
Here is what I would like to see happen:
1. Tajuddin should be permanently barred from entering the United States. Ditto for Lazar. Neither of these men should be allowed to speak or appear here, so long as they advocate violence and murder and oppose free speech.
2. The United States and the United Nations should call upon Russia to condemn these comments and to ensure that the constitutional and civil rights of gays and lesbians are protected.
3. Charges should be brought against Tajuddin and Lazar for inciting violence, possibly under anti-terrorism laws on the books in Russia (sorry, am not an expert on post-Soviet law).
Of course, all of these are just pipe-dreams, considering who we have in the White House and who is "representing" us at the United Nations.
Just imagine the response, tho, if this mad Muslim and jerky Jew had advocated violence against Christians!!! My god, there would be a war.....
Posted by: Jonathon | Feb 17, 2006 9:21:25 AM
This is state sponsored /supported terrorism.
Posted by: hadassah weinreb | Feb 17, 2006 12:26:07 PM
And Toronto Jay.
~
Posted by: Gilli | Feb 18, 2006 12:39:52 AM
Of course Toronto, darling. My Rabbi lives there.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 18, 2006 3:55:09 AM
love thy fellow man,(or woman)and thou shalt not kill? hmmmmm wonder where did i read that?
Posted by: sherri and ivey | Feb 18, 2006 9:29:44 AM