BBC News - Gay-friendly 'mosque' opens in Paris
A prayer room described as Europe's first gay-friendly mosque is opening on the outskirts of Paris.
The new centre is run by Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed, a gay Islamic scholar, married to a gay man, and the founder of Homosexual Muslims of France.
Mr Zahed regularly attends the Grand Mosque in Paris, but says he wants to create a more "inclusive" place for gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims.
He says many of them felt uncomfortable praying in established mosques.
"Many gay men don't go to the mosque because they don't want to be recognised," says Mr Zahed.
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Islam has nothing to do with homosexuality”
Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed
"They don't want to be ostracised because they wear earrings or because they're effeminate or they're transgender, something that's pretty obviously rejected in many mosques in France," he says.
A prayer room described as Europe's first gay-friendly mosque is opening on the outskirts of Paris.
The new centre is run by Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed, a gay Islamic scholar, married to a gay man, and the founder of Homosexual Muslims of France.
Mr Zahed regularly attends the Grand Mosque in Paris, but says he wants to create a more "inclusive" place for gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims.
He says many of them felt uncomfortable praying in established mosques.
"Many gay men don't go to the mosque because they don't want to be recognised," says Mr Zahed.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
Islam has nothing to do with homosexuality”
Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed
"They don't want to be ostracised because they wear earrings or because they're effeminate or they're transgender, something that's pretty obviously rejected in many mosques in France," he says.



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