StraightWay Foundation

{{Short description|Conversion therapy organization for Muslims in the UK}}

The StraightWay Foundation was established in the United Kingdom in 2004 as an organization that provides information and advice for Muslims who struggle with homosexual attraction.{{cite book |last1=Habib |first1=Samar |title=Islam and Homosexuality |date=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9780313379031 |page=217 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9y_TyzK9_5oC&dq=straightway+foundation&pg=PA217 |access-date=2 August 2019 |language=en}}{{cite book |last1=Badgett |first1=Lee |last2=Frank |first2=Jeff |title=Sexual Orientation Discrimination: An International Perspective |date=2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135987657 |page=222 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wmyUAgAAQBAJ&dq=straightway+foundation&pg=PA221 |access-date=2 August 2019 |language=en}} Its current chairman's name is Mujahid Mustaqim.{{cite book |last1=Whitaker |first1=Brian |title=Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East |date=2011 |publisher=Saqi |isbn=9780863564598 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e0YhBQAAQBAJ&dq=straightway+foundation&pg=PT83 |language=en}} They believe "that through following God's guidance", one may "cease to be" gay. They teach that the male-female pair is the "basis for humanity's growth" and that homosexual acts "are forbidden by God".[http://straightway.sinfree.net/ The StraightWay Foundation Homepage] Retrieved 2007-04-06 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212012014/http://straightway.sinfree.net/ |date=December 12, 2006 }} NARTH has written favourably of the group.{{Cite web|url=http://www.narth.com/docs/muslims.html|title=Help for Same-Sex Attracted Muslims}}

In 2004, Straightway entered into a controversy with the Mayor of London (Ken Livingstone), and the controversial Islamic cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi. It was suggested that Livingstone was giving a platform to Islamic fundamentalists, and not liberal and progressive Muslims.{{cite news | url=http://www.iwitness.co.uk/politics/0405p01.htm | title= London mayor stands firm despite sustained campaign| last=Sohaib | first = Saeed | date= April 2005 }} Straightway responded to this by compiling a document to clarify what they regarded as fundamental issues concerning Islam and homosexuality.{{Cite web|url=http://gaymuslims.files.wordpress.com/2006/02/StraightWay%20Statement%2017-11-04.pdf|title=Statement on Homosexualist Campaign against Muslim Scholar}} They sent Livingstone a letter thanking him for his support of al-Qaradawi.{{cite news| url= http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-17022032-details/Ken+in+row+over+anti-gay+link/article.do| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090211111441/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-17022032-details/Ken+in+row+over+anti-gay+link/article.do| url-status= dead| archive-date= 11 February 2009| title= Ken in Row Over Anti-gay Link| last= Waugh| first= Paul| date= 3 March 2005}} Livingstone then ignited controversy when he thanked Straightway for the letter.{{cite news | url=http://www.prochoix.org/cgi/blog/index.php/2005/03/30/277-ken-le-rouge-vire-au-vert-islam | title=Ken le rouge vire au vert islam | date = 30 March 2005 | author = Caroline Fourest and Fiammetta Venner | language=fr}}