One of my favorite iPhone apps is one called Causes that brings together RSS feed about topics like global warming, peace in the Middle East, human rights, women’s rights, health care, global poverty, and others. If you are interested in that kind of news, check it out.  Check it out.

It was that application that led me to this article written by Saqib Ali, Maryland’s first elected Muslim politician, a State Delegate from Montgomery County. In it he unequivocally stated his support for marriage equality.

It feels like the nature of the fight for equality has changed. It has gone from being a rather niche liberal issue to perhaps the most pressing civil rights issue of this generation. And marriage equality throughout the land now feels like an eventual inevitability.

I expect some day people will look back at this fight for equality like we now look back on oddly antiquated anti-miscegenation laws. I’m proud that I’ll have stood on the right side of history: In support of full marital rights for same-sex couples.

My stance on this issue isn’t politically expedient. I am the first Muslim in the legislature. Homosexuality is strictly forbidden in Islam. As such I have evinced much grief from my most conservative supporters.

But I recognize that I represent people of all faiths and no faith at all. If I tried to enforce religion by law — as in a theocracy — I would be doing a disservice to my both constituents and to my religion.

I went searching for more information on Saqib Ali and I found out a lot more, including this fascinating article about him and his thoughts on this a few issues. I like the way he thinks. He is a practicing Muslim and from a religious perspective doesn’t believe in gay marriage, but still keeps his religious beliefs separate from his role as legislator. That is to be admired, and it is something that the religious right could learn from. (See my next post)
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An article on change.org argues that Islam isn’t even necessarily against gay marriage.

Certainly, it’s a welcome sign that another politician is able to decipher the difference between the words “civil” and the words “religious” when it comes to marriage. But it is also interesting that Ali uses such blanket language like “prohibits” when he refers to Islam’s position on homosexuality. Several groups, like Imaan.org in the United Kingdom, would seemingly take issue with that statement. They have an excellent FAQ section on their site that addresses some of what they consider misunderstandings when it comes to the issue of homosexuality, marriage and Islam. Imaan.org asks the question (pdf), “Can Gays Marry?” And here’s their answer:

The Quran’s references to marriage obviously relate to heterosexual couples. But could Islam bless homosexual loving relationships? As discussed previously, traditional Islamic views have condemned homosexuality without much thought. However, the analysis at the top of the page has showed how the Quran may well not condemn homosexual love. Taking this into account, the principles of love, companionship and comfort in marriage may be applied to Muslim gays and lesbians.

To say that Islam accepts gay marriage is not only controversial, but certainly needs more discussion than the few lines written here. However, in discussing such an issue, it is certainly important to note that there are gender-neutral areas in the Quran that refer to companionship and love…

It’s certainly a subject that’s up for debate. Still, given State Delegate Ali’s more conservative faith position on homosexuality, it’s refreshing to see a legislator separate their faith from their politics. It’s also refreshing to hear his prediction that by 2011, Maryland might join the list of states that recognize same-sex marriage.

Very interesting, indeed.