First, as I wrote a short time back, Johann Hari writes his vitriolic article inciting anti-Muslim racism by effectively labelling all Muslim people homophobic. Then it emerged that an event calling itself the East End Gay Pride was being organised in the East End of London to mobilise against homophobic stickers that had appeared around the neighbourhood. Organisations such as Imaan and the Safra Project, set up to combat homophobia in the Muslim community had suspected since the beginning that the event was being organised by members of the racist English Defence League. Now proof that that is the case has emerged thanks to work done by Imaan which can be read here. In particular, Imaan found that the organiser of the East End Gay Pride event, Raymond Berry, had had his membership of the Rail and Maritime Trades Union revoked for being a vocal member of the EDL.
Imaan is calling for a “truly inclusive community-led Pride March” to take place as the best response to these revelations and the EDL’s attempt to foment hatred for Muslims among the East End gay community. The Safra Project calls for the event to be cancelled.
The Safra Project has opened a page for comments and messages of solidarity.