I am writing in response to the Wednesday advertisement by A Coalition for a Respectful U. The advertisement had a large heading that read, “I am Muslim” and was followed by a statement by Nasreen Mohamed saying, “Being both Muslim and queer is not a contradiction.”

I realize that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community’s goal of running the April ad campaign is to prompt reflection and campus dialogue around issues related to the treatment of GLBT people. But as a Muslim, I found this advertisement to be very misleading. I must clarify that my opposition to this ad is not an encouragement to discrimination.

To the contrary, anyone who has studied Islam knows that its teachings leave no room for disrespect or discrimination, and it is this same Islam that has encouraged me to respond to this advertisement. So with all due respect, allow me to continue.

There are many characteristics to Islam that have caused it to be the fastest growing religion in the United States. Among these characteristics is that Islam has regulations for every aspect of one’s life.

Whether it is getting a job or taking a shower, Islam has a say. In fact, this characteristic is built into the name Islam, which means “submission,” referring to a Muslim’s complete submission to the will of God. That being said, Islam also has rules and regulations with regards to sexual relationships, and the producer of Wednesday’s ad is either unaware or has chosen to ignore this part of Islam. When Mohamed says that there exists no contradiction in carrying the identity of a Muslim and a queer, I must disagree.

True, accepting Islam requires only one declaration: bearing witness in the oneness of God and attesting that Muhammad is the messenger of God, but Islam’s view on homosexuality is also very clear.

Islam’s stance on the issue of homosexuality can be easily found in the Holy Koran. In chapter seven, verses 80-84, God describes the men who practice their sexual desires on men in preference to women as those going beyond bounds, practicing sin and crime.

The issue of homosexuality is not a new one. While Islam takes a strong stance against homosexuality, it also opens its arms to the repentant servants of God who are willing to step over their personal desires for the obedience of their creator.

This response is not meant to be a lesson on Islam; rather, it is a clarification to a misleading advertisement. We must not mix the issues of respecting a person and condemning an act.

While we pray for our guidance and for theirs, the Holy Book of Islam clearly states that homosexuality is a great sin and crime (Koran 7:84). Therefore, there exists a contradiction in carrying a Muslim and a queer identity. Such a thing is not possible unless one waters down one or the other.

Hamid Mokhtarzadeh is a University student. Please send comments to [email protected].