Muslim father tries exorcism to "cure" gay son

23-year-old Sohail Ahmed, an alleged former Muslim extremist revealed how he was made to undergo an exorcism by his father, in attempt to “cure” him of his homosexuality. The exorcism allegedly took place at the Islamic spiritual healing shop, Abu Ruqya in East London, in June 2014.

Ahmed, a former student of Queen Mary University of London expressed how the experience left him feeling suicidal and convinced that his faith will not accept his sexuality.

He has left Islam; however, he identifies himself as a “cultural Muslim”.  While speaking to The Times newspaper, Ahmed mentioned how he used to fantasise about blowing up Canary Wharf when he was 17 years old, but he did not take any such drastic steps.

Sohail Ahmed expressed how distressed he was. “It got too much for me and my dad walked in on me when I was going to hang myself. That’s when I realised I had to leave home or else I would have killed myself… I understand the Muslim viewpoint on homosexuality. A mosque saying we accept LGBT people – this is not going to happen in my lifetime, it’s a long process.”

Ahmed also mentioned about how he understood his parents’ point of view as well. “My parents are going through so much pain, I wish I hated them. I understand why they are doing it, they are trying to help me. I understand where they are coming from.”