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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The devil (not verified) — Sun, 05/25/2008 - 3:16pm

Yesterday interest...

Today homosexuality...

Tomorrow incests....

The day after tomorrow....

POLYTHEISM !

John wilfred (not verified) — Fri, 05/23/2008 - 10:43am

What is not natural with me a gay man .
all the parts of my body are natural.
i was born gay and so where 10% of the world population.
we are naturally gay from the heart no one teaches us to be Gay
religion is taught from a book is that natural ?
should religion not come as spontaneously as being gay!
find me the answer to that , i would love to know .

Al Sabarnya (not verified) — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 9:25pm

Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) states that one of the blessings for human beings is that all men and women are equal, regardless of ethnicity, wealth, social positions or even sexual orientation.

So why then do we treat our women like servants and not give them the same "equal rights" that our beloved Koran says we are to do. Why as men do we not share our lives equally with our women but dominate them to the point of killing them if they disobey us? Even the term disobey implies that we are their masters. What a 10,000 year old arrogant, selfish behavior we have practiced toward the mothers and daughters in our lives. We read it, we write it but Allah knows we do not practice what we read and write. This is disgraceful.

I also cannot believe anyone would consider the sexual acts of homosexuals as natural. We as men and women were created anotomically to compliment each other as water is to a plant. We give each other the ability to create new life because of our bodies design. One cannot create life without the other. Show me two gay men creating new life! Show me two gay womens creating life! You can't! Now show me where aids originated from and I will show you two gay men. There is nothing natural about what homosexuals do and I for one will not consider them as "natural" and the their sexual acts are shameful and even disgusting.

Before we criticize other religions as being hypocritical lets take a closer look at our practices and try to actually live the life the Koran teaches us to. Then maybe we will have the right to say we are superior and others are hypocritical.

M. Hafiz (not verified) — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 2:46pm

Mr. Abdul Khalik, your sources Siti Musdah Mulia wasn't a credible sources. She gave you a wrong cite. You have to cross check again the Koran's Al-Hujurat (49:3). And about her opinion, this is my comment:

In the eyes of God, men and women are equal and valued based on their piety. The word peaty mean, amenable for the God's command that already explained in Koran and Sunnah. So, it is true that the piety is God's prerogative to judge, but God didn't leave human with no clue. As for homosexuals and homosexuality matters, you can see how fury Allah to homosexuals and homosexuality in Koran's Asy Syuraa (26:160-175), Al-Anbiya (21:74-75), Al-Ankabut (29:28-29).

In the eyes of God, men and women are equal and valued based on their piety. The word equal, doesn't mean that man and women have the same role, or responsibility. Because God has made a different role and responsibility for every creature in this planet. That is why God have a different command for man and women (as we can see in Koran and Sunnah). Every creature that play the role correctly, or full fill their responsibility, will became an equal. Because they are amenable and piety creature. This is the real meaning of equality in the eyes of God, based on their piety.

For Moslem, developing open-minded interpretations in Koran and Sunnah is wrong. The right thing is, developing interpretation in Koran and Sunnah, based on Koran and Sunnah it self. Because there is more than six thousand "ayat" in Koran or Sunnah, that related one with another. Human mind much way to small (or stupid) to interpreted God's will.

PS: All the truth that I have wrote, only came from Allah. If there is a mistake, it is my own mistake, and I ask forgiveness from God for that.

The Reader (not verified) — Fri, 05/16/2008 - 4:53am

The 'people' of Lut practice 'abominations'. The story of Lut is about sexual violence, abuse - rape etc. Even Muhammad's men, after a battle once, ask the Prophet if they can use the captive men as eunuchs as the soldiers are far from their wives. They want to rape the captive men to satisfy their sexual urges - going against their natures and choosing men over women. Muhammad refuses permission. The 'people' of Lut practice 'abominations'. Who are the people and what are abominations ? Muhammad allowed eunuchs and effeminate men to guard the dwelling places of his wives - knowing they might see these women in states of undress, but also knowing these men, 'lacked the skills of males'. They were not sexually attracted to the opposite sex - women. Muhammad knew this, understood it and accepted it. Sexual violence and abuse is what is condemned in the scriptures, and it's sexual violence perpertrated by the majority that continue to perpetuate all forms of sexual violence - heterosexual males. Though it is also talking about men and women sexually abusing/using each other in many ways in orgiastic type scenarios too. It is going against nature for a gay person to sleep with a member of the opposite sex. They are just not hardwired that way. If in Iran transgendered people are accepted - why not the same understanding given to homosexual people. So much ignorance, fear, hypocrisy and down right cruelty. Shame !

Akhyaree (not verified) — Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:49am

I am worried now because so many people talking over islam without knowing what is inside islam. And just because homosexuals were allowed in bugis then you think it is allowed to practise that, what a low-educated comments. Humanity is one thing, homosexuality is another thing. We cannot tolerate pedopilians just because we respect humanity, we cannot tolerate drug addict just because we should appreciate difference. There's always limitation in this life, that is why we are called "human". Those who promote homosexuality is acknowledge in islam, i really hope you will learn islam more.

Jfy (not verified) — Mon, 05/12/2008 - 9:46pm

I said my thing already in previous comments,and apparently whatever you say to explain or to convince people that who-or what-ever created us,created us!!!So here We are and We can't help it!!
So now I have to go in to detail to show you all ingnorants how difficult you make it to all your fellow muslim homosexual men.
I'm from europe and have been traveling around asia and africa for many years already.never ever I had problems being who i am and never had problems meeting gay men in whatever country i was traveling.
even better ,muslim-gay men were happy to talk to someone who understood them,and recognised their feelings.understood WHY they were unhappy in their marriage and why they made their wifes unhappy and betrayed their children.They were ALL forced into a marriage they didn't want!many unhappy suicidal stories were told too!!

There were many guys who just wanted to have sex because me being not from their community would not give them in!!
SEE the picture??
Especially in Java meeting gays was very simple.just walk and and you'll be seen and picked up.Without and i'll stress to that any financial purpose.

So do whatever you do with the koran ,but know that many many people just walk around with it just because they have to.
Many kneel in prayer just counting the minutes to get away.(and that's what i've been told).
so where is allah,god...to see after all these people i've met???
Once again get real,get a life if you want one,otherwise stay with your text written by?? some 1500 years ago............
just live

Navalulum (not verified) — Mon, 05/12/2008 - 8:10pm

my god.naudubillahi min daalik.you must read the holy of quran and after that you knowou .its from god not from man orarr woman like you, you narrow mind interpretation,you must be istigf

Mumtaz (not verified) — Mon, 05/12/2008 - 5:13pm

"IF" Islam recognizes homosexuality, then why God Allah SWT gave curse upon Prophet Luth's people then? we should've think back about it.

Jack (not verified) — Sun, 05/11/2008 - 9:27am

Again,
Siti Musdah Mulia,
please don't push it.
You may think like that but please stay away from Islam.

To all that being born normal, we have to be greatful and thankful.
And what we should do to those that are not, we need to provide help... so that they can have a chance to be come what God expected.
We should not endangering everbody's faith, by forcing that silly statement.

Taubat lah saudariku

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