Bhopal, August 05: An anti-homosexuality campaign is under way among Muslims in Bhopal. The chief organiser of the campaign, which has blessings of the Madhya Pradesh State Minorities Commission, believes that its message will have the most impact in the holy month of Ramzan.
The campaign, spearheaded by popular local singer and orchestra-owner Mohammed Ajhar Siddique, purports to be based on the teachings of the Quran. The city’s Muslim clergy are not against the campaign, but have reservations about launching it during Ramzan, and because “religious figures” haven’t been involved.
“The campaign asks Muslims to avoid homosexuality,” Siddique said. “Religious feelings are at their peak during the holy month and the message will go across loud and clear.”
The campaign CD, titled Aaya Rozon ka Mahina, was released by chairman of the state minorities commission, Anwar Mohammed Khan, on July 31, the eve of Ramzan. The hour-long CD has four other songs but devotes nearly 16 minutes to a presentation against homosexuality.
According to Siddique, who brings out an album of his music ahead of Ramzan every year but has never attacked homosexuality before, homosexuality is “a practice not endorsed by any religion”. The contents of the CD, he said, were based on the Quran, and “those engaging in unnatural acts suffer terrible consequences”.
Anwar Mohammed Khan, the BJP government’s nominee as head of the minorities body, said his official position did not prevent him from releasing “a CD that promotes a good cause”. Khan said there was nothing wrong in sending out this message during Ramzan.
-Agencies