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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Michael Chukan (not verified) — Fri, 07/18/2008 - 6:22am

Feel free to write me: michaelchukan@hotmail.com. I would particularly like to inform those who have some sense that being LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersex, queer) is rarely a choice people make. Many people have tried to change themselves, and have not been successful.

I wish I could spend my time doing better things, rather than having to explain what it means to be gay, etc. But it is worth my while to try to decrease the oppression and save the lives of young (and old) LGBTIQ individuals. The vast majority of gay people can not even rely on their households for support, almost no other group has had to survive such oppression. May Allah (SWT) bring justice to those who have killed/violated LGBTIQ individuals, and help future generations have more peace of mind. I remind lgbtiq muslim folks that God is omnipotent, does not challenge one more than that individual's character can tolerate, thus maintain a strong iman and not be too overwhelmed by some humans' hate.

Shame on those who perpetuate discrimination and violence. Be reminded that Allah (SWT) takes account for intentions/actions.

A gay Muslim man,
Michael Chukan
michaelchukan@hotmail.com

Machine (not verified) — Mon, 07/14/2008 - 12:37pm

OK I hear what everyone says on this seemingly very popular topic. Why cant everyone finally and forever understand that you do not "become" gay! It is not a choice! You don't "choose" to be gay. You do not "turn to" homosexuality. This is the very bottom core of this so called debate. If everyone understood this it would take the wind out of most of the argument! God created me and he created me gay. I don't particularly like it, but it is what it is and I have to deal with it. People are born, tall, short, smart, dumb, red haired, athletic, good, bad, skinny, fat and gay.

The Homophobe (not verified) — Mon, 07/14/2008 - 6:16am

Allah created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. That just about sums it up for me...

Ayok (not verified) — Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:20am

Homosexual is disease of psychological (psychosis).Homosexual destroyed dehumanation. the creation of human made man and woman to be bride.
Islam prevent the psychosis with syariat.

Wombat (not verified) — Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:51pm

My best friends are gays, my auntie n uncle are gays..!! I don't judge them. They are the most compassionate and helpful persons in my life. I don't give a damn if you like gays or not!!! But they honest people unlike you n you all thieves....liars....corrupts

John wilfred (not verified) — Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:33pm

homosexuals are not sic ,we can not be cured therefore.
I am Gay and happy and proud , i would not change for anything.
All your religious condemnations have not legal stand .
Religions are unproven myths .so keep your beliefs to yourselves and do not bother others just because they are different , you are different and we do not bother you take the example.

Dasch (not verified) — Sun, 07/06/2008 - 1:10pm

I am not a straight guy and happen to be a muslim. God, please forgive me of my sins and help me to end this wrongdoing. Many people might not believe it but I truly acknowledge that homosexuality is a condemned act in Islam. I believe in Allah and I believe that gay people will be punished in Akhirah.
However, don't you think that it's unfair to blame gay, queer and bi people of something that they don't want? I don't want to be like this and I'm still trying to change my sexual preference but apparently, I still cannot change it. put yourselves in our shoes.. it's easy to say it because you are hetero and you know that your preference is in line with Islamic teaching and please, instead of cursing and condemning non-straight people, you should be thankful and glad because you're straight. guide us, help us to be the good muslim ummah as you are.

As cited in our Holy Koran:
"For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." - Dear Allah, I am scared and intimidated with your punishment, and please help us to follow the right path. divert this unwanted feeling so that we can serve you as the khalifah on this earth.

To all the heteros out there, change your perception towards the gays, bisexuals and lesbians. profanity and vulgar words towards us will only add to your sins.. and remember this, not all of us want to live this kind of unwanted life.. it's painful deep inside to be as who i am now. Dear Allah, I plead for your forgiveness..

Julia (not verified) — Sat, 07/05/2008 - 2:44pm

hey, you know what.. people in Afrika are starving to death, in Indonesia; tons of mothers who walk over streets with her baby in her arm begging for money. why dont we just give our full attention to these matters?? please people.. get along! is that what any regilion is all about? respect & love the others?
get a life, get a job, be open... the world would be a much more better to live.
o by the way, Im straight as hell and love is all I've got!

Attached (not verified) — Mon, 06/30/2008 - 4:29pm

I'd like to stress here. As a gay, I feel like I was born that way. In the age of 5, I have felt the feeling towards man. I had an imaginary friend, who is a form of naked man. When I was in primary school, around the age of puberty, there are lots of talks about coming out of age. My teacher told me, I'll become a puberty if I have a wet dream of having sex with a girl. I was confused. Since I was 12 till now, I have never wet-dreaming girls.

My dad is very straight guy. He always brought me to watch football, doing manly things like exercising in the gym and playing badminton. He encouraged me to do sporty things. He avoided me from mixing with my sisters. I did play naughty things with girls when I was a kid, but it was just mere naughty... not a typical lustful action towards girls. I have never had any girlfriends because I don't have 'that' feelings. My dad scolded me when I made the joke of a faggot/transgenders. He hated athletic men who turn to fashion modelling because he felt that they need to be an army or athletes instead. He tried to nurture that feelings to me so that I can feel the same too. My dad has done all his best to make me a straight person, but it didn't work at all. Not to say, he had raped me or sodomized me? Gosh.. that's too much. I have the best and straightest dad in the world, but unfortunately, he can't change my natural instincts.

Now, I'm a grown up man. I'm not sissy and girlish, not to say being transvestites or transsexuals.. thanx to my dad who did the excellent job in brought me up. I'm now a structural engineer, which is the most manly job around (he helped me picked that... and I like it). Despite being so manly and masculine (none of my friend or family members think other way round), I'm a gay... and most surprisingly, I'm a bottom gay. I think even gays can't believe that.

In this view of al-Quran, I believe in it because I believe in writings of God. However, we need to become ijtihad in this case. The verses of Prophet Luth might refer to the bisexuals, because it mentioned about "wives" in that verses. That means, the people which being referred by in this verses are bisexuals and possibly, married. Once a guy married, any actions of him having sex with other guys or sodomizing are humanely not acceptable or tolerable. It can crush down the marriage institution. I think we can think that by ourselves. In my case, being gay is natural. So, Allah treated me just like any other human-being. I will also be judged during the judgment day, having my sins calculated, being decided whether to go to heaven or hell.. based on my amal or piety. :)

hassannur (not verified) — Sun, 06/29/2008 - 7:29am

Assalam!!! It was said in the Holy Qur'an that God does not order man to do something greater than it can bear..
Further, he ordered the people of Lut, in Sodom, to stop committing the acts of homosexuality such as expressing their lusts on their fellow men...
Such order of stopping admonition was made by God for he knows that they could actually stop and control their desires for their fellow men... Homosexuality is not determined by genes..but environmental influence...(pls. see islamic lessons.com)
Another thing i'd like to point out is, Muslims should be aware that the non-Muslims will do everything just to deceive us and make us disbelievers..They will even pretend that they are Muslims and learned scholars and give their opinions about things with the goal in mind to mislead the Muslims...(WOmen who claim to be Muslims and say they want to be equal with men????and that they fight for equal rights????? I think they just dont know how beautiful and precious they are regarded in Islam!!!!)
It is just time for us to learn what Islam really is. If we do not know our religion, we will be easily deceived by what we hear, see and read..
Isn't seeking knowledge binding upon all Muslims???
Thank you and wassalam...This is your brother in Islam, Hassannur:)

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