1st Nigerian Open Muslim Gay

With even louder stamps and wider steps, Ahmed made his way hastily to the mosque. It was time for the afternoon prayer and he was late for the fifth time consecutively that week.

He resolved to do his prayers at the mosque that month and not in his apartment; he now believed was stained with sin from doing things he couldn’t tell even his mother about.

There has been a lot of speculation about Islam and homosexuality. 

Most Islamic scholars are in agreement that homosexuality is incompatible with Islam. Some believe the act counts as a form of “zina” – an Arabic term referring to “unlawful” sexual activity. When voicing their views, they make it clear the sinful act is against the teachings of the prophet.

Ahmed decided to be true to who he was. He was sick of the charade of arranged relationships, he wanted to worship God and be accepted for the path he had chosen. Wanting to come out, he arranged a meeting with his immediate family.

His mum was troubled upon hearing his shaky voice over the phone, requesting they all gather at his flat. Upon opening the door for his dad, he developed cold feet and ran in the bathroom giving the impression that he had caught a cold. He knew he couldn’t lock himself in the bathroom for ever, so he came out. Looked his family members in the eye as they all sat around his coffee table waiting for the news that will change a lot of things that evening.

A loud thunderstorm interrupted the sound of the first word he managed to mumble, his sister got up to shut the windows as it looked like it was going to rain; he thought the rain was just in time to wash away his sins and for a split second he wished to be “normal,” to be cleansed and be delivered.

“I am gay” he finally said and the room fell silent. You could hear his mother’s heart sink. His dad asked; “are you sure? did a doctor check you? Who gave you this wrong advice? you like women, always have and always will.” His sister blurted out in his defense ” Dad, he never liked girls…”

The major hurdle for him was reconciling his faith with his sexual orientation. Is Ahmed then morally corrupt? or perhaps, deficient in a vital organ, hypothalamus ( involved in sexual behaviour) which according to research is reportedly smaller in gay men?

While Ahmed is a fictitious character, how many Ahmed’s are out there wanting to live a life they aren’t ashamed of? Or need to get delivered from the supposed demon tormenting and chaining them to an act society terms evil and their religion, “unlawful.”

By Paulicap Okafor