A gay Muslim man fighting to tackle homophobia within the Islamic community in London has been forced to respond to a radio show caller who believes he should be executed.
Sohail Ahmed, 23, has launched a street campaign in Whitechapel seeking to combat prejudice.
But an astonishing call from a fellow Muslim critical of the project left radio presenter Iain Dale incredulous, and prompted a passionate defence of the scheme from its founder.
Zainab from Upney, east London, suggested gay people are influenced by the fashion industry and the media, and that execution is acceptable.
“My religion is very clear about what happens to gay people. You know what happens to gay people,” Zainab said.
“Yes we know what happens to gay people in Iran," presenter Dale responded, "They are thrown off buildings and killed.”
“Yes,” the 22-year-old said, “I don’t know what the exact punishment is in the Koran for gay people, whether it is death penalty, but I don’t know exactly what it is.”
“So you think the Koran is right?” Dale asked, “All gay people should be put to death?”
To which Zainab responded: “I believe the Koran is the word of God and it hasn’t been changed like the bible.”
“You disgust me,” Dale said as he ended the call.
Listen to the exchange in the video, above
Sohail Ahmed works alongside a friend to run an information stall which aims to tackle homophobia
Mr Ahmed went on to respond to Zainab by saying that he himself may have held many of the views she did.
“I’m very ambivalent when I hear these discussions because just a few years ago I would have agreed with everything this young lady said.
“Even though I’m gay myself, I held these same views. I understand where she’s coming from.
“Unfortunately she’s still wrong.”
His project seeks to tackle the homophobia present in the Muslim community in east London.