https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/western-university-lgbtq-poster-sparks-muslim-community-backlash
A Western University social media post supporting the fight against homophobia included an illustration of two women in hijabs about to kiss – sparking a backlash from London’s Muslim community that forced school officials to delete it.
The image, posted on the school’s Instagram account Tuesday to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, was met with a firestorm of criticism from people who were offended by the imagery.
They said the post was “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” because the hijab, an Islamic veil, has religious and spiritual connotations. Wrote one person: “Shame on you Western for such an insulting mockery post to my religion.”
In response, school officials initially appeared to stand behind the poster, noting they understood “how complex and intersectional this topic is” and that the “imagery may be upsetting to some Muslims.” But on Wednesday, a Western official who oversees equity, diversity and inclusion issued a statement noting the image had been removed….
One Muslim community leader, Iman Abd Alfatah Twakkal, said the London Muslim community was drafting a response to the images, which he called “inappropriate.”
“We respect the human rights of everyone as protected under Ontario’s human rights bill,” he said. “While we appreciate that the intent is to promote inclusion the poster is doing the opposite . . . singling a Muslim religious symbol in that setting is inappropriate.”
The poster also sparked a petition demanding the school remove the depiction of the Muslim women. The petition had more than 2,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning.
“It should be made clear that this is not an attack on the LGBT+ community, and the existence of queer Muslims is acknowledged,” the petition reads. “What is portrayed is extremely disrespectful, insensitive and completely imperceptive to the Muslim community at large.”…
