Pro Gay-Marriage Muslim Politician

As uncommon as it is hear the words "pro gay-marriage" and "Muslim" side-by-side, this is indeed a true story. Maryland state representative (delegate) Saqib Ali has publicly stated that he is in favor of gay marriage. The democrat, representing the 39th district in the lower house in the state of Maryland, does not put his religious beliefs before his political views, even though Islam clearly forbids homosexuality. Ali says:

"If I tried to enforce religion by law — as in a theocracy — I would be doing a disservice to both my constituents and to my religion."

I'm sure plenty of his co-religionists will condemn him for taking this stand (as will many Christians), but it is refreshing. One can only hope that other Muslims will publicly come to his defense, although I'm rather pessimistic on that front.

And he gets right to the heart of the matter when he says: "[Gay marriage] doesn't affect my marriage; it doesn't affect anybody else's marriage. It doesn't harm us in any way."

You can read a bit more here.

This makes me think of John F. Kennedy's speech where he said:

I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote--where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference--and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

I won't be expecting invitations to any Muslim gay weddings in the near future, but who knows.