A top Imam in the Tatarstan city of Kazan has warned believers not to go to the Elton John concert in the city in December out of concern for their moral well-being.
Saidjagfar Lutfullin, chief Imam of Kazan's Zakabanna mosque, spoke about "lessons" passed on by ancestors and blamed homosexuality for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Interfax reported Thursday.
"The two legendary biblical cities which were destroyed by Allah for the sins of its inhabitants — for same-sex relationships, homosexuality," he said in a statement.
Homosexuality "is promoted by Elton John, known throughout the world to be gay," Lutfullin added, Interfax reported Thursday.
"We are seeing how our healthy and moral society is being attacked by nonconformists and perverts. I think that we must prevent this with the help of the media, by sermons and discussions about the nature of humanity and the prolongation of the human race, about the schemings of the Devil, in the form of a sodomite — Elton John," the Imam said.
Elton John said last month that he would perform in Moscow in December, despite the Russian government's adoption of a law in June banning the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" to minors, which has been labelled anti-gay by the LGBT community.
"As a gay man, I can't leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them. I don't know what's going to happen, but I've got to go," the singer said in an interview with The Guardian in September.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
