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Gambian President Threatens Gays With Punishment Under Islamic Principles

By Howard M. Friedman

In Gambia, according to a Human Rights Watch release issued Tuesday, President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to expel or kill any gays or lesbians who do not immediately leave the country, saying: "We are in a Muslim dominated country and I will not and shall never accept such individuals [homosexuals] in this country." In response yesterday, an Islamic cleric in the United States issued a fatwa criticizing some of the President's remarks. Yesterday's Pink News reports that Sheikh Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti, director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Texas took issue with the President, saying: " Gambian president Jammeh deserves respect for his enthusiasm for Islam and virtue in his society. However, before iterating his threats, he needs to wait and make sure of the legal foundation of them...."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 12, 2008 (boomark / email).