Death of an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” Surah An-Nahl Verse 90
A lot is said about the Story of Lut and in modern times it’s interpretation has been taken to the extreme. An associate who is part of a more moderate Muslim group in the U.S. once expained to me that “Soddom and Gomorrah is not a reflection of homosexuality, but that of in-hospitality and sexual violence because remember, they raped children, women and men. The traditional interpretation of this story is bias and dishonest. Fact is, Prophet Muhammad never punished, criminalized, stoned anyone for being gay.”
No matter what a person’s lifestyle choices are, they deserve to be allowed to live and die in dignity. Today, I am sad because I feel those rights are being stripped away from people. Recently, a horrendous story broke in Bangladesh about the death of the Xulhaz Mannan, the Editor of Roopbaan which is the first Gay publication in Bangladesh. He was also a staff member of USAID and had been working at the US Embassy for many years in different departments. He was adored by most of the American community in Bangladesh. While he was openly Gay, and known as being an LGBT activist he had worked tirelessly to bring dignity to his community and gain acceptance. His death was came at the hands of Islamic Fundamentalists due to his lifestyle and activism. One news outlet stated that that the assailants shouted “Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar.” as they departed after they had gained entry forcefully posing as couriers.
No group should have to live in fear, but right now that is the sad state in secular Bangladesh among the LGBT community. Bangladesh is not the first country where the LGBT community has been attacked or threatened, however it is very likely the first to have it happen when there is a history of acceptance of people of all faiths and lifestyles. For now the world and the citizens of Bangladesh wait and watch to see the culprits brought to justice.
In Xulhaz’s in own words:
