Gay rights group claim victory against Muslim leader- from Pink News- all the latest gay news from the gay community - Pink News

The gay rights group, Outrage!, claim that Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain was forced to withdraw from making a key note address at the trade union-sponsored "Unite Against Fascism" conference held in London today, following protests against his alleged homophobic views. However, Sir Iqbal was likely to have been absent due to the event clashing with a London rally against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed in the European press. "This climbdown is a victory for humanitarian values over homophobic prejudice. We want Muslim leaders like Sacranie to be part of the anti-BNP alliance, but only if they respect the human rights of gay people and other minorities," said Peter Tatchell of the gay human rights group, OutRage!, which helped coordinate the protests against Sir Iqbal being invited to speak.