Daayiee Abdullah

Daayiee Abdullah (born Sidney Thompson in 1954 in Detroit, Michigan, United States) is an African American Imam in Washington, D.C.

• Nowhere in the Quran does it say punish homosexuals. And historians have also never found any case of the Prophet Muhammad dealing with homosexuality.
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• When I graduated from high school, I hoped that one day gay Americans would be able to get married. And now here I am 45 years later officiating same-sex marriages—how can I not be optimistic that the future is bright?
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• The younger they are, the more tolerant and accepting they are of LGBT Muslims, there are even older Muslims who are now supportive, including a grandmother here and there.
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• Some don’t believe that homosexuals can be pious. But we can be just as good at our faith as anyone else. We are simply different from other folks, not less committed to our faith.
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• Some people are uncomfortable with gays, but your discomfort with my sexuality should not translate into me having less rights as an American.
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• I believe every person, no matter if I disagree with you or not, you have the right as a Muslim to have the proper spiritual [rites] and rituals provided for you. And whoever judges you that will be Allah’s decision, not me.
  • First Gay ‘Imam’ in USA Says ‘Quran Doesn’t Call for Punishment of Homosexuals’ (22 May 2015), Morocco World News.

• Light of Reform Mosque, Washington, D.C.