New Delhi, August 9, 2024: In a recent seminar organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), leading Islamic scholars and prominent leaders expressed their deep concerns about the rising influence of the LGBTQ+ movement, which they perceive as a significant threat to traditional Islamic values and the family structure. The event, titled “Ideological Analysis of the LGBTQ+ Movement,” brought together a panel of experts who examined the issue from various perspectives, including Islamic teachings, scientific findings, and social implications.
Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of JIH, presided over the seminar and elaborated on the Islamic stance concerning LGBTQ+ issues, emphasizing that Islamic doctrine strictly forbids such practices based on divine commandments. He offered a detailed comparison between Islamic and Western perspectives on LGBTQ+ matters, focusing on their impact on morality, ethics, and social fabric.
Mr. Husaini asserted that Islam categorically rejects the LGBTQ+ framework, maintaining that sexual relations are only permissible within the bounds of heterosexual marriage. He explained that Islamic morality is firmly rooted in divine law, where moral behavior is dictated by the commandments of Allah. Any deviation from these guidelines, including homosexuality, is viewed as a serious transgression with grave spiritual and moral consequences.
He posed four crucial questions that highlight the fundamental differences between Islamic and Western ethical frameworks:
– What is the purpose of ethics?
– What is the source of ethics?
– Why are ethics and laws established?
– How should the balance between rights and responsibilities be maintained?
Mr. Husaini argued that, from an Islamic viewpoint, 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. He suggested that Western societies tend to regard the family as a voluntary arrangement, with the state stepping in when family structures fail, while Islam sees the family as a crucial institution that must be preserved and regulated.
The JIH President also discussed the dangers of normalizing LGBTQ+ identities, drawing parallels to other social disorders. He cited various statistics to challenge the normalization of LGBTQ+ identities, suggesting that if normalization were based solely on prevalence, other conditions with similar or higher prevalence rates could also be normalized. He warned that embracing LGBTQ+ identities could destabilize the family unit, which he described as the cornerstone of civilization.
Furthermore, Mr. Husaini 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 argument with statistical data that shows 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 perspective, Mr. Husaini reiterated that Islam recognizes only two genders—male and female—and considers 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 an 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 an in-depth analysis of the LGBTQ+ discourse from psychological and biological viewpoints. 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.
Discussing the psychological aspects of LGBTQ+ identities, Dr. Rizwan suggested that conditions like gender dysphoria may not be classical disorders but rather 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 offered practical advice to 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 stressed 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 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 protecting against such deviations.
Dr. Shadab Munawar Moosa, JIH Assistant Secretary and the program’s convenor, 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.
