India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI – In a recent seminar organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), prominent Islamic scholars and leaders voiced their concerns regarding the growing influence of the LGBTQ+ movement, which they see as a significant challenge to traditional Islamic values and family structures. The event, titled “Ideological Analysis of the LGBTQ+ Movement,” featured a diverse panel of experts who explored the issue from Islamic, scientific, and social perspectives.
Presiding over the event, JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini, highlighted the Islamic stance on LGBTQ+ issues, emphasizing that Islamic teachings prohibit such practices based on divine commandments. He provided a detailed comparison of Islamic and Western perspectives on LGBTQ+ matters, examining their impact on morality, ethics, and social structures.
According to Mr Husaini, Islam unequivocally rejects the LGBTQ+ framework, asserting that sexual relations are only permissible within a heterosexual marriage. He explained that Islamic morality is deeply rooted in the concept of divine law, where moral conduct is determined by Allah’s commandments. Any deviation from these guidelines, including homosexuality, is viewed as a transgression with serious spiritual and moral consequences.
Mr. Husaini posed four critical questions that underscore the divergence between Islamic and Western ethical frameworks:
- What is the purpose of ethics?
- What is the source of ethics?
- Why are ethics and laws formed?
- What is the balance between rights and responsibilities?
He argued that, from an Islamic perspective, ethics are designed to ensure harmony and balance among individuals, society, and the state, with a strong emphasis on the responsibilities owed to Allah. In contrast, Western ethics often prioritize individual rights, sometimes at the expense of collective welfare. Husaini suggested that Western societies tend to view the family as a voluntary arrangement, with the state stepping in when family structures fail, while Islam regards the family as a vital institution that must be protected and regulated.
The JIH President also addressed the implications of normalizing LGBTQ+ identities, comparing them to other social disorders. He cited various statistics to question the normalization of LGBTQ+ identities, suggesting that if normalization is based solely on prevalence, other conditions with similar or higher prevalence rates could also be normalized. He warned that embracing LGBTQ+ identities could undermine the family unit, which he described as a cornerstone of civilization.
Mr Husaini further characterized the LGBTQ+ movement as a “manufactured and artificial problem,” arguing that its recent prominence is not due to a genuine demographic shift but rather the result of social conditioning and propaganda. He supported his claim with statistical data showing significant variations in the prevalence of LGBTQ+ identities across different generations and countries, suggesting that these differences point to external influences rather than natural phenomena.
From an Islamic viewpoint, Mr Husaini reiterated that Islam recognizes only two genders, male and female, and views any deviation from this binary as a distortion that could harm society if legitimized. He proposed a differentiated approach to addressing LGBTQ+ issues, advocating for tailored responses based on specific sexual orientations and gender identities. He outlined a three-stage strategy for managing LGBTQ+ issues, focusing on feelings, actions, and identities, with a particular emphasis on discouraging the adoption of LGBTQ+ identities as a rebellion against divine law.
Dr. Mohammed Rizwan, Director of the Centre for Studies and Research (CSR), provided a comprehensive analysis of the LGBTQ+ discourse from psychological and biological perspectives. He challenged the notion of genetic determinism in sexual orientation and gender identity, citing research that suggests these aspects are influenced by a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors. Dr. Rizwan emphasized that while some studies suggest a genetic component, no single “gay gene” has been identified, indicating that sexuality and gender identity are not entirely innate.
Addressing the psychological dimensions of LGBTQ+ identities, Dr. Rizwan suggested that conditions like gender dysphoria may not be classical disorders but are deviations from normative expectations. He noted that while some individuals may seek transition surgeries, these procedures are not always the solution and may not align with Islamic teachings, except in cases involving intersex individuals.
JIH Vice President S. Ameenul Hasan provided practical guidance for Muslim parents on raising children in a highly sexualized world. He expressed concern over the increasing normalization of LGBTQ+ themes in children’s literature and media, urging parents to proactively educate their children about Islamic values and sexual morality. Hasan emphasized the importance of teaching children about the creation of male and female, the significance of family in Islam, and the alignment of biological sex with gender identity and sexual attraction.
Dr. Mohiuddin Ghazi, JIH Secretary, opened the seminar with a discussion on the Quranic perspective on sexuality and morality, referencing the story of the prophet Lot as a warning against homosexuality. He described homosexuality as unnatural and a violation of the divinely ordained gender binary, highlighting the importance of ‘Haya’ (modesty) in safeguarding against such deviations.
Dr. Shadab Munawar Moosa, JIH Assistant Secretary and convenor of the program, described the LGBTQ+ movement as a civilizational challenge to Islamic values. He criticized the linguistic strategies used by the movement as tools of propaganda and emphasized the need to maintain Islamic language and concepts in discussions about identity and sexuality. Dr. Moosa also linked the movement to broader Western ideologies like feminism, Marxism, and socialism, which he argued pose threats to traditional societal structures.
Dr. Asif Hirani, Dean of Amal Institute in the USA, traced the ideological roots of the LGBTQ+ movement to modernism and post-modernism, noting the decline of Christian ethics in the West as a key factor in its rise. He stressed the importance of understanding this historical context to grasp the movement’s departure from traditional Islamic values.
The seminar concluded with a call for a strong Islamic response to the LGBTQ+ movement, urging Muslims to be vigilant about its influence and to actively preserve Islamic teachings on sexuality and gender. The scholars and leaders emphasized the need to protect traditional family structures and moral values in the face of what they perceive as a growing ideological challenge.
