• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

I am sorry, Mr Mayor, you will not call Members of this Assembly dishonest.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

I am sure you were not calling Mr Johnson dishonest were you, Mr Mayor?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

They looked at the Islam Online website and saw that statement justifying the death sentence for homosexuals and thought that was unacceptable, as many Londoners would think was unacceptable.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

Gay Times said it was `the biggest political mistake of 2004' and that is not a Zionist magazine or a hotbed of Islamophobia as far as I am concerned.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

Well, he is different because he has justified the death sentence.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

He has and it is there in my question. Many gay people would obviously not be relaxed about that, as you appear to be. Before deciding to share a press conference and provide a platform to Dr al-Qaradawi, did you consider the impact that this might have on different communities?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

I have read your report. That statement by Dr al-Qaradawi that appears in my question, which justifies the death sentence for homosexuals, is still on Dr al-Qaradawi's Islam Online website in his name. Do you accept that statement has caused deep offence to many people in London, particularly the lesbian and gay community?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

You did not consider the impact on other groups in London?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

Other gay Muslims have made it clear they condemn the visit and al-Qaradawi. Was there no equalities impact assessment before you took the policy decision to invite al-Qaradawi?

• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 12 January 2005

I am sure you agree that Islam is no more homophobic than the other great faiths in the world. I would like to quote some recent comments by some of the respected leaders of those faith communities in London. The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, recently said that `in Judaism homosexuality is forbidden'. Parkash Sharma, the President of the National Council of Hindu Temples, said that `homosexuality was an unnatural state'. Inderjit Singh, the Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations has said that `homosexual relationships were not a valid alternative to marriage'. Brian Coleman (Chair): Mr Qureshi, the Mayor...