Western University LGBTQ online post sparks Muslim community backlash

A Western University social media post supporting the fight against homophobia included an illustration of two women in hijabs about to kiss, sparking a backlash from London's Muslim community that forced school officials to delete it.

The image, posted on the school's Instagram account Tuesday to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, was met with a firestorm of criticism from people who were offended by the imagery.

They said the post was “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” because the hijab, an Islamic veil, has religious and spiritual connotations.

Wrote one person: “Shame on you Western for such an insulting mockery post to my religion.”

In response, school officials initially appeared to stand behind the post, noting they understood “how complex and intersectional this topic is” and that the “imagery may be upsetting to some Muslims.”

But on Wednesday, a Western official who oversees equity, diversity and inclusion issued a statement noting the image had been removed.

“We believe this presents an opportunity for genuine, thoughtful discussion about how we can best support members of the queer Muslim community, and those from all faiths and backgrounds within the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” said Opiyo Oloya.

“In order to promote that discussion, we have removed the image from the post to not distract from these important conversations.”

One Muslim community leader, Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal, said the London Muslim community was drafting a response to the images, which he called “inappropriate.”

“We respect the human rights of everyone as protected under Ontario's human rights bill,” he said. “While we appreciate that the intent is to promote inclusion, the poster is doing the opposite ... singling a Muslim religious symbol in that setting is inappropriate.”

A petition demanding the school remove the depiction of the Muslim women had more than 2,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning.