SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN MUSLIM CULTURE
In Islamic terminology, homosexuality is alternatively called al-fahsha' (an obscene act), shudhudh (abnormality), or 'amal qawm Lut (behavior of the People of Lut). Islam teaches that believers should neither participate in nor support homosexuality.
Women’s sexuality in Muslim laws and societies is limited to monogamous heterosexual marriage. This set form of sexuality is believed to be preserving a ‘sexual purity’ that is heterosexual and requires male control over women’s sexuality. In some cases where a woman is considered to have violated the codes that keep her or her family’s ‘sexual purity’, her identity or behavior can and has led to so-called honor crimes including being subjected to violence, forced marriage and even killed.
It is widely believed in Muslim societies that homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. This perception is also embodied in Muslim laws to the extent that in some countries homosexuality is a crime punishable by death.
Promiscuity does exist among Muslims, although in all probability its prevalence is considerably lower than in some segments of western society. Those who operate outside the Muslim framework often find themselves ostracized and held responsible for bringing the family name into disrepute. The prospect of “coming out” for homo-sexual Muslims is, therefore, not realistic at present.
Muslims generally believe that homosexuality stems from conditioning or exposure, and that a person who feels homosexual urges should strive to change. It is a challenge and struggle to overcome, just as others face in their lives in different ways. In Islam, there is no legal judgment against people who feel homosexual impulses but do not act upon them.
In many Muslim countries, acting upon homosexual feelings -- the behavior itself -- is condemned and subject to legal punishment. The specific punishment varies among jurist, ranging from jail time or flogging, to the death penalty. In Islam, capital punishment is only reserved for the most grievous crimes which hurt the society as a whole. Some jurists view homosexuality in that light, particularly in countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Arrest and punishment for homosexual crimes, however, are not frequently carried out. Islam also places a strong emphasis on an individual's right to privacy. If a "crime" is not carried out in the public sphere, it is largely overlooked as being a matter between the individual and God.
Get more info at:
http://www.safraproject.org/sgi-womenssexualtiyinislam.htm
Women’s sexuality in Muslim laws and societies is limited to monogamous heterosexual marriage. This set form of sexuality is believed to be preserving a ‘sexual purity’ that is heterosexual and requires male control over women’s sexuality. In some cases where a woman is considered to have violated the codes that keep her or her family’s ‘sexual purity’, her identity or behavior can and has led to so-called honor crimes including being subjected to violence, forced marriage and even killed.
It is widely believed in Muslim societies that homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. This perception is also embodied in Muslim laws to the extent that in some countries homosexuality is a crime punishable by death.
Promiscuity does exist among Muslims, although in all probability its prevalence is considerably lower than in some segments of western society. Those who operate outside the Muslim framework often find themselves ostracized and held responsible for bringing the family name into disrepute. The prospect of “coming out” for homo-sexual Muslims is, therefore, not realistic at present.
Muslims generally believe that homosexuality stems from conditioning or exposure, and that a person who feels homosexual urges should strive to change. It is a challenge and struggle to overcome, just as others face in their lives in different ways. In Islam, there is no legal judgment against people who feel homosexual impulses but do not act upon them.
In many Muslim countries, acting upon homosexual feelings -- the behavior itself -- is condemned and subject to legal punishment. The specific punishment varies among jurist, ranging from jail time or flogging, to the death penalty. In Islam, capital punishment is only reserved for the most grievous crimes which hurt the society as a whole. Some jurists view homosexuality in that light, particularly in countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Arrest and punishment for homosexual crimes, however, are not frequently carried out. Islam also places a strong emphasis on an individual's right to privacy. If a "crime" is not carried out in the public sphere, it is largely overlooked as being a matter between the individual and God.
Get more info at:
http://www.safraproject.org/sgi-womenssexualtiyinislam.htm