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LGBTQ advocacy groups have criticised Azruddin Mohamed, contending that the Leader of the Opposition and head of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) is “not God or Allah” and therefore has “no place judging who can worship in a masjid.”
The Sexualities Women and Genders (SWAG) and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) were responding to a video widely circulated on Facebook, in which Mohamed chastised what he described as “questionable persons, lesbians, bisexuals coming in the masjid and pray.” He also lamented that “our leaders are not speaking out” on the issue.
The Guyana Standard reported on the video in an article published on March 4, 2026, titled “Mohamed warns about division, infiltration of lesbians in Muslim community.”
SWAG and SASOD noted that these were Mohamed’s first public comments on sexual minorities since being elected as a Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition. While both organisations respect religious freedom, they described the remarks as divisive and discriminatory toward lesbian and bisexual Muslims.
The groups also highlighted that the comments came during a period when religious observances such as Ramadan, Lent, and Vasant Vrat coincide — a time that should encourage inclusion and respect for diversity.
“Guyanese lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people come from all walks of life,” the organisations said, noting that many also practise different faiths.
SWAG Co-Chair Savannah Williams said, “There are lesbians and bisexual people who are devout Muslims, whether Mr. Mohamed likes it or not. It’s not Mohamed’s place to judge any Muslim or worshipper — he is not God or Allah.”
SASOD Guyana Chairperson Mishka Puran described Mohamed’s remarks as “a missed opportunity to share a message of unity, togetherness, compassion, and respect.” Puran also urged the Opposition Leader to clarify his and his party’s position on reforming Guyana’s laws to decriminalise same-sex intimacy and protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson added that Mohamed’s comments appeared inconsistent with positions previously articulated by WIN. He pointed to remarks by WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus at an LGBTQIA+ Elections Town Hall on July 29, 2025, where the party expressed support for law reforms and public education to improve attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ people.
“Mohamed could have called on his Muslim brothers and sisters to be more inclusive and welcome lesbian and bisexual Muslims to their masjids, but he chose to do the opposite,” Simpson said. “Mr. Mohamed cannot separate his personal, religious views on policy issues from his role as Leader of the Opposition.”
SWAG and SASOD reiterated their commitment to constructive dialogue and called on Mohamed and WIN leadership to engage with both organisations on public education initiatives and legal reforms highlighted during the 2025 elections town hall. “Electoral promises must be delivered,” the groups said.
