Australia’s only openly gay imam is pushing for the country’s first LGBTI-friendly mosque that would also act as a safe house and counselling centre.
Nur Warsame said he is dealing with an “avalanche of misery” among LGBTI Muslims who have no support services or safe spaces.
Imam Nur is a devout Muslim who once led one of Melbourne’s largest mosques. When he came out as gay in 2010 the Muslim clergy severed ties with him, despite his rare credentials as a hafiz — someone who has memorised the Koran.
He has since become an increasingly vocal advocate for the rights of LGBTI Muslims, despite receiving ongoing death threats.