The Observer Uk How Islamist Gangs Use Internet To Track Torture And Kill Iraqi Gays

"The bodies of gays on the streets of Iraq."

From The Observer. Photograph: Bilal Hussein/AP

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/iraq-gays-murdered-militias

Each person has an individual interpretation of religious scriptures but I really wasn't expecting to find a UK newspaper article mentioning a 22-year-old serial killer in Iraq who professes that hatred and violence toward gay people will preserve the reputation of Islam.

In the article by Afif Sarhan and Jason Burke, a deputy leader of an Islamist militia in Baghdad is quoted: "Animals deserve more pity than the dirty people who practice such sexual depraved acts. We make sure they know why they are being held and give them the chance to ask God's forgiveness before they are killed."

This is an individual whose own repressed sexuality has induced psychosis as his declaration reveals him to be projecting his own thoughts onto others. I have no idea how representative is this article of contemporary society in Iraq as often Western media reports seem to focus on unflattering aspects of the Middle East and other world cultures.

In this Observer article, one victim of violence is warned that "he had one month to marry and have 'a traditional life' or die." Perhaps, all forms of intolerance are motivated by the belief that supporting what one perceives as the 'status quo' will make one's own life easier.

Spiritual wisdom is achieved when we understand our motivations upon considering issues involving perceptions of morality. Often in cases of homophobia, an individual is attempting to deny bewildering desires and strives to convince others of being confident about sexuality; even when violence is wreaked upon another person, the troubling desires aren't alleviated.

Thomas W. Lippman wrote in his 1990 edition of Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Muslim World -

"Islam prescribes for believers both attitudes of mind and specific duties in life. Most important are the acceptance of the uniqueness, power, and authority of God and the understanding that the objective of life is to fulfill the dictates of His will in the hope of admission to Paradise. Worldly gain and temporal power are illusory; the Koran says that 'life of this world is but a sport and a pastime.' (57:20) Those who pursue riches on earth may gain them, but those who forego worldly ambitions to seek the favor of Allah-those who give alms, take care of orphans and the elderly, live chastely, and tell the truth-may gain the greater treasure, entry into Paradise."