A group of liberal Muslims have made their case for same-sex marriage in Germany.

The Liberal Islamic Association made their stance clear in preparation for this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), marked annually on 17 May.

And they quote the Quran to back up their stance.

‘The central verse in the Quran dealing with partnership and its general sense and use says: “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (30:21),’ they said in their statement.

’In the Arabic original the Quran does not talk of ‘man and woman’, but uses the word azwadsch, which means ‘pair’/’parts of a pair’/‘partner’/‘spouse’.’

The verse, they said, is worded so the people in question can be read as either male or female, because their is no certain gender attributed to them.

‘The fathering of offspring is not named as the (primary) spirit and purpose of a partnership in the verse,’ they said.

‘Because “Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope.”’

The association argues this proves the basis of partnership in Islam is love and both partners being seen as on the same level, who are aware of their responsibilites to each other.

Which is why they say Islamic marriages – which, in Islam, is a private contract – should not be defined by the partners’ gender, as long as they match the other requirements and one of them is Muslim.

And they also tear into German politics, by saying there is no real reason to ban same-sex marriage.

‘If you argue spirit and purpose of marriage is offspring, then marriage has to be banned for, for example, retired people or infertile heterosexual couples, too,’ they said.

‘If you argue children need to grow up with both genders as parents, then single parenthood would need to be banned.

‘Even today children are raised by homosexual couples. No study proves this endangers children.

‘Children, mainly, need love, emotional security, and care – all of this can be provided (or rather, is already being provided) by homosexual parents.’

Same-sex couples in Germany can enter civil partnerships and adopt kids through stepchild adoption; there is no marriage equality or adoption equality.