Community members gather to honor Khaled Al-Zibdeh at a vigil outside the mosque.
A Houston family has filed a lawsuit against the Islamic Society of Greater Houston for allegedly refusing to provide funeral services for Khaled Al-Zibdeh, a gay Muslim man. Despite having a pre-paid contract, the ISGH claimed Khaled’s sexual orientation excluded him from being recognized as a Muslim, resulting in an emotional and distressing experience for the family. The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in damages for breach of contract and negligence, while raising broader discussions about LGBTQ treatment within the Muslim community.
A family in Houston has filed a lawsuit against the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) after the organization allegedly refused to perform funeral services for Khaled Al-Zibdeh, a gay Muslim man who passed away on June 25, 2024, at the age of 33. The lawsuit claims that, despite having a pre-paid contract for funeral and burial services, the ISGH denied their request on the day of the funeral, leading to significant distress and an inappropriate handling of Khaled’s remains.
Khaled’s husband had paid approximately $4,500 for the contracted services, which were supposed to include preparation of his body and burial at the ISGH’s designated cemetery. However, ISGH representatives reportedly informed family members that Khaled was not considered a Muslim due to his sexual orientation. This assessment led to the refusal to wash his body and to provide the customary Islamic burial services.
Family members, including Khaled’s sister Yasmin Al-Zibdeh, learned of the denial through a call from a cousin, causing confusion and horror as they arrived at the funeral site. Yasmin described the heartbreaking moment when her family had to walk away from the prayer gathering while others prayed for Khaled without any official representation from the ISGH. The family was then compelled to wash and prepare Khaled’s body themselves, a task which is generally reserved for those in the community trained for such duties.
The family managed a makeshift funeral and prayer service in the parking lot of Hamza Mosque, facing a dire need to find an alternative burial location. After being unable to use the original burial site arranged with ISGH, they endeavored to locate another cemetery within the organization’s network. An updated petition revealed that ISGH required signatures from ten Muslims to testify to Khaled’s faith, which the family secured, but the ISGH still rejected their request for funeral services.
The family filed their lawsuit in Harris County District Court, alleging claims of negligence, breach of contract, and fraud. They are seeking over $1 million in damages due to the emotional toll and distress caused by ISGH’s actions. In response to the accusations, ISGH officials have denied the allegations and have requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that sexual orientation does not determine a person’s faith.
This case has ignited discussions within the larger Muslim community in Houston regarding the treatment of LGBTQ individuals, particularly in light of Khaled’s contributions as an openly gay man who was married in 2022 and actively involved in the community. The ISGH reported a significant financial growth, with approximately $18.9 million collected in 2023 and $2.18 million from funeral services in the first half of 2024, raising questions about the ethical responsibilities of the organization in handling such sensitive matters.
Khaled’s sisters have expressed their sadness and frustration over how their brother was treated in death, underscoring the need for accountability and a more compassionate response aligned with the principles of their faith. They have emphasized that Khaled was a valued family member deserving of dignity in his passing and called for reflection on the actions taken by the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
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