Ismail ibn Musa Menk, also known as Mufti Menk, is a Muslim cleric and Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe.[1][2]
Mufti Ismail Menk (Ismail ibn Musa Menk) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 27 June 1975[1] |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Parent | Sheikh Musa Menk |
| Alma mater | Islamic University of Madinah Saudi Arabia |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Senior posting | |
| Website | Official website |
Biography
Early life
Menk was born in Harare, where he undertook his initial studies. He is the 8th out of 9 children…His father, Sheikh Maulana Musa Menk is a well-known scholar and da’ee (caller to Islam) and an Imam in a masjid in Zimbabwe. He obtained a degree in Shariah Law from the Islamic University of Madinah. Following this, he went on to specialize in Islamic jurisprudence in Gujarat, India.[3]
Work
He is the director of the Daar ul Ilm (Islamic Educational Centre) of the Majlisul Ulama which caters to the educational needs of the Muslim population of Zimbabwe. Menk is known especially in eastern Africa and also teaches internationally.[4] He has pledged his aid in curbing religious extremism in the Maldives.[5]
Controversy concerning views on homosexuality
The Huffington Post has described Menk as an "openly homophobic Islamic preacher" who has denounced gay people as "filthy".[6] In 2013, he was due to visit six British universities – Oxford, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow – but the speaking tour was cancelled after student unions and university officials expressed concern about his views.[7] Menk's controversial statement included these words: "How can you engage in acts of immorality with the same sex?... The Qur'an clearly says it is wrong what you are doing... Allah speaks about how filthy this is... With all due respect to the animals, [homosexuals] are worse than animals."[8] In a retraction, Menk has subsequently stated that he based these comments on a "misguided notion" and that he is not at all homophobic.[9][10]
Awards and recognition
- Menk was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of Social Guidance by Aldersgate College, Philippines and its collaborative partner Aldersgate College – Dublin, Ireland on 16 April 2016.[11]
- KSBEA 2015 Awards - Global Leadership Award in Social Guidance was awarded by the Cochin Herald.[12] [13]
References
- ^ a b "Peace comes calling a look into the Life of Mufti Menk, Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe". Cochin Herald. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ^ Stack, Liam (4 June 2016). "The World Reacts on Social Media to Muhammad Ali's Death". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
Ismail Menk, the Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe, the African country's highest Islamic religious authority
- ^ "About Mufti Menk". Mufti Menk.com. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ "Mufti Ismail Menk". themuslim 500.com. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Menk pledges aid in curbing religious extremism in Maldives". Mihaaru. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ "Liverpool University Agreed To Host Islamic Preacher Ismail Menk, Who Says Gays Are 'Filthy' (POLL)". The Huffington Post UK. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ "Universities cancel Muslim cleric's speaking tour over concerns about his anti-gay views". The Independent. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ "Liverpool University Agreed To Host Islamic Preacher Ismail Menk, Who Says Gays Are 'Filthy'". The Huffington Post, 11 November 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Mufti Menk: On the issue of LGBT'". [Cochin Herald], 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 Jan 2017.
- ^ "Retraction on the issue of LGBT'". Mufti Menk Official Website, 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 Jan 2017.
- ^ "MUFTI ISMAIL MENK HONORED". Aldersgate College. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ "4th KSBEA 2015 Global Leadership Award 2015 Winners" (PDF). Times Of India. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ "4th KSBEA 2015 Global Leadership Award 2015 Winners". Cochin Herald. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2015.