Pembina urged its supporters to change their Facebook profile photos to an image of a crossed-out rainbow flag, to reverse the tide of rainbow-tinged profile photos supporting the ruling. ― File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 ― The National Muslim Youth Association (Pembina) has launched a campaign against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in response to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage.

Using the hashtag #‎BeliaTolakLGBT, which translates to “Youths against LGBT”, Pembina urged its supporters to change their Facebook profile photos to an image of a crossed-out rainbow flag, to reverse the tide of rainbow-tinged profile photos supporting the ruling.

“[The profile photo] has become a trend and is followed by non-Muslims across the world. In Islam it is clear that same sex relations are completely forbidden,” said the group, which is the student wing of Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma).

“But what was really sad is Muslims themselves have followed the direction to support the LGBT by changing their profile pictures and showing their support under the name of freedom for the LGBT.”

Pembina also claimed it was saddened by Muslims who claimed that community must be fair towards the LGBT as Islam was supposed to be a blessing for all mankind.

Last week, the US joined a list of 20-odd countries that have legalised same-sex marriage, after its Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry.

The court ruled 5-4 that the Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law mean that states cannot ban same-sex marriages. With the ruling, gay marriage will become legal in all 50 states.

Millions of Facebook users worldwide than updated their profile photos with rainbow-tinged versions in support of the ruling, including many Malaysians.