This week, Gov. Pat Quinn was a keynote speaker (see video below) at the MAS-ICNA Annual Convention held in Rosemont, Illinois. MAS is the Muslim American Society and ICNA is the Islamic Circle of North America.
What makes this interesting is that the ICNA is adamantly anti-gay marriage and has publicly condemned homosexuality as a sin. In a press release, the organization wrote:
"...marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman that serves as the basis for the family and thereby society. ...sexual relations can only be between a man and a woman within the context of marriage. ...The push to redefine the established institution of marriage and embrace homosexuality can only lead to the deterioration of the very structure of our communities and society as a whole."
There has been no comment from GLAAD, Equality Illinois, or other gay activist groups about ICNA's position, or about Gov. Quinn speaking at the organization's annual convention here in Illinois.