Religious groups, but especially Muslim groups, tend to oppose gay rights and gay marriage measures as contrary to their religious principles. In Canada, though, all religious groups are faced with choosing between supporting the human rights laws which defend them or opposing those laws in the name of religious orthodoxy.

GayNZ reports that one Muslim group is defending gay marriage and the principle of equal rights for all:

The Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) has welcomed the changes to Canada’s marriage laws to includes same-sex partners, and says human rights for minorities are not up for bargain. What’s more, they’re urging other Muslims and other minority groups to stand in solidarity with gays and lesbians.

Rizwana Jafri, president of the MCC, said Muslim Canadians have experienced life as a marginalised minority, and have relied on Canada’s respect for human rights laws in their fight for their right to be treated as equal citizens. "It is incumbent upon us, as a minority, to stand up in solidarity with Canada's gays and lesbians despite the fact that many in our community believe our religion does not condone homosexuality.”

The MCC recognizes something very important: if they oppose gay marriage, they either need to explain how gay marriage isn't supported by Canada's human rights laws or they need to acknowledge that they are trying to deny basic civil rights to others. When it comes to a minority group that has experienced discrimination, it's hypocritical to lay claim to civil liberties they would deny to others.

Read More:

• Gay Rights, Gay Marriage
• Evangelical Christianity & Homosexuality
• Catholicism & Homosexuality
• Islam