Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/03/27/islam-039recognizes-homosexuality039.html

Friday, March 28, 2008 11:36 PM

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 Reader (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 8:23pm

How it can be allowed something that is very known and clear in
Sharia???! Everyone knows that it is completely forbidden in Islam the
homosexuality. Only ill minds can think about it. Shame on you!!! Why
Allah punished Luut's people! Because they were homo. There is no need
no reason for ijtihad about something that is absolutely clear and
known in Sharia. Shame on Siti Musdah Mulia! Shame on her and may
Allah guide her, and others thinking in her way ,to the right way!

Panji (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 7:21pm

Before this too exagerated article bursts more strong comments, it
should be noted that the discussion was aimed to set the positions
among scholars involved. It serves as introduction to open debate how
to place LHBT in islamic law context (read: redefinition and
reexamination). The opinions mentioned is not the position that
Indonesian islamic community holding.

This is not the usual style of TJP journalism by the way. More like Pos Kota.

Brendan (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 6:50pm

What business is it of the MUI or HTI (or anybody else) what somebody
does in their private life? Why should they care? The problem with
religion is that it tends to make people very judgmental.

Rusdie (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 6:21pm

Let us embrace Ijtihad in any condition to go to an magnificence in
all aspects of life,
There are so many another aspects of life that need Ijtihad than this matter.

The Reader (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 6:20pm

I agree what they (liberal ulema) said on the seminar, if We all are
an animal, but to whom the people feels like human being and of course
following what the God (Qur'an) and prophet (hadith) said, Insya Allah
they would be save hereafter.

Edith (not verified) — Fri, 03/28/2008 - 5:45pm

we live in culture that full of phallosentrism, and heteronormativity.
That's why lesbian and gay people are become minority. Why don't we
try to open our frame of thinking. Try not to be so dogmatic in
valluing something. Like Derrida said, there is nothing out side text.
Who dare to give a standard of right or wrong?? RIght has its own
context. Try to open our minds widely. We live in a life that full of
potency and probabilities. So, pls be wise in judging wthether
something is right or wrong, including in sexual preferences.

Don't hide behind doctrine... Don't hide behind the 'major norms'. Try
to see universe wholely, not separately. I don't know much bout
religion. BUt what i do understand is homosexual is a natural thing.
It's an option of sexual orientation. Unfortunately, education in
Indonesia has a bad socialization in that. So, i support any
discussion, seminars, study group that try to realize people about the
sexual orientation..

LIfe is not about the certainty.. It's about searching and travelling
the land of uncertainty....

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!

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.

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