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.
"Moderate muslims" allow me to recommend the Battle of Hearts and Minds by Imam Anwar AL Awlaki to whoever's reading this..amazing lecture
“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs is afflicted, the whole body responds to it with sleeplessness and fever”.
This has come as a bit of a surprise. I thought Islam's hatred for homosexuality was clearly established and unalterable.
Peace
It is a minority opinionn, a great minority, that Islam actually recognises homosexuality. Islam does not condone nor recognise homosexuality well, it is evident from its text. I don't know why people have to pretend it does. If you don't like it, its one thing to not follow it - but why change something to how you want it - You may aswell not be following it to begin with.
It is a minority opinionn, a great minority, that Islam actually recognises homosexuality. Islam does not condone nor recognise homosexuality well, it is evident from its text. I don't know why people have to pretend it does. If you don't like it, its one thing to not follow it - but why change something to how you want it - You may aswell not be following it to begin with.
I can definitely see your point. I suppose the minority view is just an attempt to fit in with the modern world, which tends to be a lot more liberal than mainstream Islam would like.
these people are sellout retards. How dare they say such crap. Islam will never accept homosexuality.
Infact muslims reject these people who issue such stupid statements.
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
I can definitely see your point. I suppose the minority view is just an attempt to fit in with the modern world, which tends to be a lot more liberal than mainstream Islam would like.
Peace
Yes, I think the cause is that Islam is alot of peoples Identity so to say and they attached to it on a cultural level - but find many things in it wrong themselves - so they wish to reform it to a way they find more appealing. Problem with this is ofcourse
a) Isn't it undermiming what you stated as to be divine?
b) Where does it start and where does it all stop?
Reformists are usually seen as religious intellectuals - but is it really intellectual to reform when it hurts the credibility of the religion as well as causes division? Food for thought.
If you think its from God, nothing should deter you from anything it says - It is just showing lack of faith to change it to fit with what you see as acceptable in society. Doesn't this mean you have a totally different motive by following the religion?
One thing I noticed they neglected to mention which "moderate Muslim scholars". Back here in Malaysia almost everyone wants to become ulema, including pork-eating Chinese politicians and liberalists who can quote a few translated verses from the Quran.
I think part of the problem here is that noone seems to differentiate between homosexuals (who are simply attracted to the same sex) and those who practise sodomy.
No, that's due to the evil corrupt people who kill others of different faiths because they think they are 'right'!
No in stated clear in Quraan, that previous nations who had this illness were destroyed. Morover just take a look at the places where mostly these sought of incidents occur. USA - the weather is full of hurricanes there , indonesia, jakarta. as the verses are already mentioned by akhee ibn abdul Hakim. The people of Lut were destroyed for their indecent acts.
Important Plz read:
May our tongues be the slaves of ALLAH.May no momin wear silk.May no momin wear oufit hanging below his ankles.May all mumineen wear hijab Ameen
What the J@hannam!?
What's going on with this world.
I swear to God I think the day of Qiyamah is coming soon,
like all the signs are starting to come true and the extremes of it
Like the sign is that there will be, Gays Lesbians and Bisexuals
BUT IN MUSLIMS?!
AND "MODERN" SCHOLARS ARE ACCEPTING IT?!
May Allah save us from this indecency and going against the nature he created us in.
Last edited by aminahjaan; 06-24-2008 at 08:09 AM.
Global Human Rights for Queers, a panel discussion to be held in Toronto Canada at Ryerson on June23, 2008.
One of the Keynote speakers will be:
Imam Daayiee Abdullah - one of only two openly gay Imams in the world and the author of “A Homosexual Positive Interpretation of the Lut Story in the Holy Quran".
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
..aahh..but eating caterpillars???...:enough!:
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks