Current:Home > ContactMuslims in Kenya protest at Supreme Court over its endorsement of LGBTQ right to associate -WealthFlow Academy
Muslims in Kenya protest at Supreme Court over its endorsement of LGBTQ right to associate
View
Date:2025-04-17 16:52:38
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Hundreds of Muslims in Kenya’s capital rallied Friday outside the Supreme Court to protest its decision last month to reaffirm the LGBTQ community’s right of association, saying that the verdict condoned immorality and demanding that some justices step down.
The protest in Nairobi took place after Friday prayers, with demonstrators holding signs that attributed the verdict to “Neo Colonialists” and urged three of the five judges who supported the panel’s majority decision to “Repent and Resign.” Some conservative Christians also attended.
The court last month reaffirmed an earlier ruling that the Non-Governmental Organization Board in Kenya had discriminated against LGBTQ people when it refused to register their association. The two dissenting judges opposed the ruling on the grounds that Kenya’s laws outlaw same-sex relationships.
Lawmaker Mohamed Ali told The Associated Press that Kenya is a religious country and that the court should respect that.
“Islam and Christianity are against gayism,” he said. “Our country’s constitution doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages. Three people in a court should not go against the societal values.”
President William Ruto had said after the ruling that he respected the court’s decision, but also noted that the country’s culture and religion don’t allow same-sex relationships.
The LGBTQ community in Kenya is often targeted by homophobic people, including in cases of physical and verbal abuse.
Kenya’s neighbor, Uganda, in May enacted an anti-LGBTQ law that carries the death penalty for charges of aggravated homosexuality, defined as cases of same-sex sexual relations involving a minor and other categories of vulnerable people, or when the perpetrator is infected with HIV.
A Kenyan lawmaker, Peter Kaluma, has submitted a similar harsh law in Kenya’s national assembly that is pending a review before it goes to the House for debate.
veryGood! (656)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- CMA Awards 2023: See the Complete Winners List
- NHL trade tracker: Minnesota Wild move out defenseman, acquire another
- Detroit police arrest suspect in killing of Jewish leader Samantha Woll
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Live grenade birthday gift kills top aide to Ukraine's military chief
- Kansas officials begin process of restoring court information access after ‘security incident’
- Costa Rica’s $6 million National Bank heist was an inside job, authorities say
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Mariska Hargitay Makes Fans Go Wild After She Asks Photographers to Zoom in on Her Necklace
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Walmart to start daily sensory-friendly hours in its stores this week: Here's why
- Travis Kelce’s Plans to Cheer on Taylor Swift at Argentina Eras Tour Revealed
- Brian Cox thought '007: Road to a Million' was his Bond movie. It's actually a game show
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- 'The Marvels' review: Brie Larson and a bunch of cats are the answer to superhero fatigue
- Candidate who wouldn’t denounce Moms for Liberty chapter after Hitler quote wins Indiana mayor race
- With Chiefs on bye week, could Travis Kelce go see Taylor Swift as Eras Tour resumes?
Recommendation
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Idaho mother, son face kidnapping charges in 15-year-old girl's abortion in Oregon
Citigroup discriminated against Armenian-Americans, federal regulator says; bank fined $25.9 million
US launches airstrike on site in Syria in response to attacks by Iranian-backed militias
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
When is Aaron Rodgers coming back? Jets QB's injury updates, return timeline for 2023
Fossil fuel interests have large, yet often murky, presence at climate talks, AP analysis finds
Texas officials issue shelter-in-place order after chemical plant explosion