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Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'
Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 03/28/2008 1:38 AM | Headlines
Homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam, a discussion concluded here Thursday.
Moderate Muslim scholars said there were no reasons to reject homosexuals under Islam, and that the condemnation of homosexuals and homosexuality by mainstream ulema and many other Muslims was based on narrow-minded interpretations of Islamic teachings.
Siti Musdah Mulia of the Indonesia Conference of Religions and Peace cited the Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) that one of the blessings for human beings was that all men and women are equal, regardless of ethnicity, wealth, social positions or even sexual orientation.
"There is no difference between lesbians and nonlesbians. In the eyes of God, people are valued based on their piety," she told the discussion organized by nongovernmental organization Arus Pelangi.
"And talking about piety is God's prerogative to judge," she added.
"The essence of the religion (Islam) is to humanize humans, respect and dignify them."
Musdah said homosexuality was from God and should be considered natural, adding it was not pushed only by passion.
Mata Air magazine managing editor Soffa Ihsan said Islam's acknowledgement of heterogeneity should also include homosexuality.
He said Muslims needed to continue to embrace ijtihad (the process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the Koran and the Sunnah) to avoid being stuck in the old paradigm without developing open-minded interpretations.
Another speaker at the discussion, Nurofiah of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said the dominant notion of heterogeneity was a social construction, leading to the banning of homosexuality by the majority.
"Like gender bias or patriarchy, heterogeneity bias is socially constructed. It would be totally different if the ruling group was homosexuals," she said.
Other speakers said the magnificence of Islam was that it could be blended and integrated into local culture.
"In fact, Indonesia's culture has accepted homosexuality. The homosexual group in Bugis-Makassar tradition called Bissu is respected and given a high position in the kingdom.
"Also, we know that in Ponorogo (East Java) there has been acknowledgement of homosexuality," Arus Pelangi head Rido Triawan said.
Condemnation of homosexuality was voiced by two conservative Muslim groups, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Hizbut Thahir Indonesia (HTI).
"It's a sin. We will not consider homosexuals an enemy, but we will make them aware that what they are doing is wrong," MUI deputy chairman Amir Syarifuddin said.
Rokhmat, of the hardline HTI, several times asked homosexual participants in attendance to repent and force themselves to gradually return to the right path.
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Dawud Farquhar (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 5:23pm
It is this kind of blatant ignorance and total lack of Islamic learning and knowledge that these so-called 'Muslim moderates' would like to re-interpret Islamic history and texts! Homosexuality is one of the greatest crimes in Islam and is punishable by death or banishment from the land. Islam is not one person's wishful thinking or personal desire, it is based of solid foundations that are dictated by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This phenomenon of attempting to make 'accepting' homosexuality in Indonesia is a modern ploy by those with a sickness in their hearts and a desire to immoralise society. Looks like these so-called moderates have forgotten the punishment that was meted to them via the Tsunami in 2004...
The Reader (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 4:10pm
This is the first acceptance of homosexuality that I heard from moslem world. I am quite amazed!
Mark Austin (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:05pm
It is about time Indonesia legalized sodomy (funny, sodomy is illegal yet homosexuality is not); after all, the government sodomize the people every day!
Hermawan (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:01pm
ISLAM is safety
Of course the end judge is come to Allah, but as a MUSLIM we already made declaration that we believe in one God (Allah) and we believe that Muhammad is massager of Allah with QUR'AN as miracle in modern life. Consequences of that declaration are we must accept all law and regulation in Islam even we don't like that.
As human we have 3 important tool to make decision which way will we take: 1. Brain, 2. Heart, and 3. Desire, if we can maintain that 3 toll Insya Allah we can find the truth.
Regarding homosexuality, in QURAN is very clear: surah 7 verse 80;84
80. "We also(sent)Lut: He said to his people:"Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (over) committed before you?"
84. "And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone). Then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime.
Pro-DKI (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 1:50pm
Homosexuality is not natural, so that there was ulama of fiqh to judge to the status of those kind into man or woman based on the majority of phisic or performance. Homosexuality is more lifestyle and not natural.
This bias report is very dangerous. Becareful with adzab.
Richard E. Hartman (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 8:44am
Since a tree is known and valued by the fruit it bears, what does that say about a sterile (no fruit) homosexual life style? The plantation owner who finds a fruitless tree cuts it down and relegates it to the fire in order to make room for a productive tree. An example was Sodom & Gomorrah.