Other Publications
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.
What's On
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Tata (not verified) — Sat, 06/14/2008 - 12:05pm
I disagree with all statement, because has created us in pair women and men, so I am as Moslem I reject the policy that allow and recognizes homosexuality
allhuaakbar
Mauludi ariesto (not verified) — Sat, 06/14/2008 - 8:48am
Why did Mrs.Siti Musdah Mulia hide verses of Qur'an telling about punishment given to people in Prophet Luth era because of their homosexuality?
Why did not she mention about Hadist which condem homosexuality? How is it posible talking on behalve of Islam without mentioning relevant verses of Qur'an and Hadist.
She only mention verse which is not relevant to the issue.
Why people say in the name of God but do not refer to God's guidance?
please tell the truth...
Satria (not verified) — Thu, 06/12/2008 - 1:43am
Being a gay is truly a God's divine. So, we don't have any legal reason to put a gay on the battle of war. But living as a gay is merely a choice of anyone. In this case, we should strive to heal it.
Hari Hermosa (not verified) — Tue, 06/10/2008 - 2:47pm
I believe in God and for whatever mistakes I've made He will not punish me. God is love and never hurts. God is good.
I am gay and I just believe, if I never hurt other (people, animal, plants....) then He loves me better. Is being gay a sin? Only God knows and as a human (and gay), I will not judge for whatever people say and think about homosexual: good or bad. As long as we do good karma then it's good for our life in the future.
I am proud and glad to hear these thoughts from my Moslem family. As a catholic person, I hope catholic church will be more open about this issue in Indonesia.
Adia (not verified) — Sat, 06/07/2008 - 11:29am
I'm a Muslim girl and straight (thankfully!) I have several gay friends. Although it's considered a sin in my religion, as a human being/mortal - I have absolutely no rights to judge or insult other people - especially homosexuals. We can only remind each other, but not telling others what to do. We're not gods, btw. Besides, I've already had my own sins to deal with, thank you very much. It's a personal responsibility, I believe.
Phil (not verified) — Wed, 06/04/2008 - 10:51pm
G'day Indonesia. This article is fascinating, and for this gay Australian born up in a conservative Christian upbringing, I have had my fair share of religious intolerance toward who I am - I am 25 and did not come out until 2 years ago.
I must say to the last comment, your ignorance simply saddens me, thinking that all gays become gay after being raped. Just for the record, neither me nor any of my good gay friends were raped or abused as children.
Anyway - it's really encouraging to hear this moderate, sensible voice of Islam in this article. It's something that many parts of the Christian church could do well to learn from!
Abd Allah (not verified) — Mon, 06/02/2008 - 8:10pm
In the name of Allah the Most Merciful the Most Gracious. I bear witness that there is no Deity worthy of worship except Allah and Rasulullah is the prophet of Allah.
There are two things that I would like to comment about. The term heterogeneity and homogeneous.
You would have to agree men have their unique internal and external, primary and secondary reproductive system, similarly women have their unique internal and external, primary and secondary reproductive system.
Thus heterogeneity is not a social construction. But it is a physical attributes. it is not something that can be changed.
To say that heterogeneity is social construction is like saying that Steel are hard solid because our mind think it is. Thus if we think it is soft we can break it or mold it as we wish.
Now Homosexuality on the other hand IS a social construction! They are made by people forcing the limit of humanity and bend it to go against the natural order of life. Surely you understand what I am saying.
Allah knows everything. What is in the open and what is concealed inside the heart.
Haven't you read thoroughly about the people of Loot? They have transgressed. They were punished for their deviant sexual orientation. Why don't you take lessons out of it. Don't you remember the wife of Prophet Loot AS? Was she among the survivor or was she punished along with them?
Surely if you believe in Allah and His Prophet, you will find that there is nothing other than Allah's Fury that will be bestowed for those who transgress!!
What is right is from Allah, and if there is a mistake from what I'm saying, then it comes from satan and/or my weakness as a human.
Jaka the Reader (not verified) — Sun, 06/01/2008 - 9:53am
Gays are not gay from birth but are "recruited" during their youth, when they are raped. Such a terrible act of course damages their personality and makes them question their attraction and attractiveness to women.
I'm sure if you could interview so-called gays you would find that this is the case with over 90% of them, although the media and science never pay attention to this simple fact.
From the social aspect, as was mentioned in a popular historical-based fiction book on the rise and fall of the Roman empire, you just can't have people going around buggering each other.
Federico Bär (not verified) — Mon, 05/26/2008 - 10:29am
Listening attentively to my reason, it tells me that there is a supreme being that has created us as women and men, physically different but otherwise equal. I do not belong to any religion, because I do not believe in revelations of something that try to explain how and why it happened (the creation). We only know that here we are, a considerable awareness that we should be grateful for. As an adult (born 1931) person making the maximum use of his brains and his common (common?) sense, I completely fail to understand any discussion on homosexuality. The consequence of intercourse between people belonging to the same sex is that they will not procreate, but who says maternity is the only purpose of sexual contact? On what grounds can we condemn a relationship between men, or between women? We may not like it or even find it disgusting (like so many other things), but of what concern should that be to us? What is wrong with having sex for pleasure only? And believe it or not, it is also a matter of love, this is an undisputable fact.
Just to avoid misunderstandings, I am a heterosexual person, trying hard (and it is hard, damned hard) to understand some of the thousand and one aspects of humanity.
The Reader (not verified) — Sun, 05/25/2008 - 4:26pm
i'm just amaized at reading these comments to justify gays and thier unnatural practice. Fancy taking delight in sexual activity from the place where crap comes out.. It just makes me sick. In Islam we can't do it with our lady wives so how is it that you want to do it with another bloke with a hairy bum! Whats wrong with a nice soft and beautiful woman? Sorry but there is no room in Islam for poofters..