ΛΟΝΔΙΝΟ. GAY FREE ZONE

Islamists spark anger after calling for gay-free zone in East London
Islamists in East London have sparked anger after flyposting stickers which called for a gay-free zone.
Peter Lloyd with Dylan Jones (news.PinkPaper.com, 15/2/2011)
Islamists in East London have sparked anger after flyposting stickers which called for a gay-free zone.
The stickers were distributed around the Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Poplar areas over the weekend. Specifically, they were targeted at schools and pubs, including the gay-friendly George and Dragon.
The professionally produced, anonymous stickers say: “Arise and Warn. Gay free zone. Verily Allah is severe in punishment.”
The 'Gay free zone' slogan is within a diagonal bar across a rainbow flag.
Equality campaigner Peter Tatchell – who has been attacked by Muslim groups three times in the capital – condemned the behaviour.
He said: "These stickers are part of a trend by Islamists and fundamentalists to target LGBT people. It is happening at universities and in communities. The main victims of this hate-mongering are LGBT Muslims.
"A venue attached to the East London mosque hosted a speaker who invited his audience to: 'Spot the fag.' There have been a series of homophobic threats and assaults by Asian youths on LGBT people in the East End over recent years.
"I’ve been attacked by Muslim youths three times in and around Brick Lane. In all three attacks, the assailants shouted religious slogans. My LGBT Muslim friends who live in the area are nervous and anxious. They fear attack and dare not reveal their sexuality.
"Only last week there were reports of threats being sent by Islamists to gay students at South Bank University. LGBT History Month posters have been defaced by extremist Muslim students. Several universities have hosted hate preachers who endorse the killing of LGBT people.
“I appeal to Muslim religious and political leaders in East London to speak out against homophobia. We need a clear statement from the leader of Tower Hamlets council and from the senior imam at the East London Mosque. They should publicly condemn homophobia and call for tolerance within the Muslim community.
“Both homophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry are wrong. Our communities know the pain of prejudice. LGBT and Muslim people should stand together, united against hate," he added.
The PinkPaper.com reader who alerted us to the story confirmed that Tower Hamlets council, which is headed by a Muslim, have removed all of the stickers are working with the police to identify the perpetrators.
It comes just a week after a number of Islamic men were arrested for distributing leaflets which suggested gay people should suffer the death penalty.
"A minority of homophobes blinded by their hate and closed minded views are trying to gain power and wider voice by publicly putting up banners targeting the LGBT community," said Ali Hilli of Iraqi LGBT.
"This small group of narrow minded people do not represent Islam or the Muslim community. In fact, a sentiment of rejection and condemnation for such a small group is growing among all Muslims. It is our duty to stop them and stand up to them whether we are Muslims, Jews or Christians."
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets council told us: “We work hard to actively foster a climate of acceptance and tolerance, and combat all forms of discrimination and harassment within the borough. We are appalled by the actions of those who have produced and posted these stickers. We treat issues like this very seriously, and these incidents are being investigated by the borough's Hate Crime Team who are working alongside the local police."