By Homeintern

In the Open Letter sent out 7 June regarding the Gay Free Zone case (Anti-Gay Hate Crime Up 21% in Tower Hamlets:UK Gay and Feminist Activists, Writers and Publishers Demand Investigation into Leaders of "Gay-Free Zone" Campaign; Call on East London Mosque to Stop Providing Platform for Anti-Gay Hate, link here).  

Originally published by Homeintern

A number of gay and feminist activists closed by saying:

"The East London Mosque claims to have no responsibility over those who speak there. The East London Mosque also claims to be opposed to the 'gay-free zone' campaign and homophobia. We demand that the East London Mosque live up to its stated word, take ownership of its platform and stop allowing its premises to be used to promote gay-hate campaigns."

Salman Farsi, Communications Officer from the East London Mosque, speaking to the Guardian (link here) responded by saying:

"Any speaker who is believed to have said something homophobic will not be allowed to use our premises, whether that is us organising an event or someone else. As for the condemnation of homophobia, our director has gone on the record on this."

We, the undersigned, welcome the East London Mosque's statement that they will no longer allow their premises to be used by homophobic speakers and take them at their word. Eliminating a platform for hate in such an influential institution as the East London Mosque is a strong, positive action and will have a very positive effect on both the local gay and Muslim communities.

Hate and division have no place in Tower Hamlets or anywhere else. Extremists, of both the religious and political variety, seek to keep us divided and at each others' throats. Through this action, the East London Mosque will help to rebuild trust between and within communities and to thwart the attempts of those who would try to play us off against each other.

We request that the East London Mosque make this policy known on its website - and to the Muslim, Asian and East London media - so that the entire community can see their commitment to stopping homophobia and to improving community relations.

We also welcome Mr Farsi's statement regarding Mr Hasnath's sentencing: "I can see where the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is coming from. That £100 fine was a slap on the wrist."

We celebrate East London's diverse multicultural communities and affirm the need to tackle all intolerance. Both Muslims and LGBT people - especially LGBT Muslims - know the pain of prejudice, discrimination and hate crime. We stand together with our neighbours, united against all hate. Anti-Muslim bigotry and homophobia have no place in our communities.