Letters to the Editor
Guyana Chronicle Online
Dear Sir / Madam:
As a Muslim and one who believes in a secular constitutional
government versus government by theocracy (as practiced in Saudi Arabia and
Iran), I take strong exception to statements attributed to the Central Islamic
Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on the issue of "civil rights of gays and
lesbians," as articulated in Esther Elijah's article: "Mainstream
Muslim group speaks on contentious bill" (July 6 edition of the Chronicle
Online). First of all, the lifestyle of gays and lesbians has been around
mankind from time immemorial, as referenced in the sacred scriptures of various
religious traditions. Moreover, the type of sexual behavior practiced by this
non-traditional group has been universally condemned by relatively all
mainstream religious bodies, based on scriptural dispensation, including the
Noble Qur'an.
However, I see a major difference between the "unapproved
lifestyle" of the gays and lesbians versus their "inalienable
right" to be safe from prejudice and discrimination as free citizens on
any nation. As such, it was particularly painful to read the hateful and
vituperative words spewed out by the CIOG and its chief proponent, Dr. Taha
Jaber Al-'Alwani, against gays and lesbians. These unsanctified words reveal a
deep reservoir of bigotry and intolerance inhabiting the minds of these
Muslims, words which by themselves paint a sad commentary of the views of
mainstream Muslims, but words which are also inconsistent with the essence of
the noble Qur'an, despite the protestations of Dr. Al-'Alwani.
The fact is: whatever wrong or curse accrues to gays and lesbians
on account of their disreputable lifestyle, this community of people, according
to Judaic-Christian-Islamic tradition, would have to account for their deeds
(or misdeeds) to the great Creator in the Hereafter, as admitted by Dr. Al-'Alwani
(just like the rest of us…!). Nonetheless, since all sexual relations (licit or
illicit, by heterosexuals or homosexuals) from an Islamic viewpoint are
considered strictly private and confidential, what takes place within the
confines of one's bedroom is nobody's business. It is for this very reason that
the sacred Qur'an demands four witnesses to corroborate an instance of illicit
sex; that is, four reputable, sane persons must witness actual penetration
before an accused can be adjudged guilty. The legal consequence of this
draconian Qur'anic rule of evidence, in the matter of sex, can be summarized as
follows: "don't ask, don't tell." However, the CIOG, like their
patron (the Wahhabites of Saudi Arabia) and their blood-brothers (the now
defunct Taliban of Afghanistan) would truly have us promulgate the barbarism of
capital punishment on the gays and lesbians, if that were possible…!
It thus becomes all the more imperative and incumbent on the
Guyana legislative authorities not to permit mainstream Guyana Muslims to have
their way with this so-called "sexual orientation" Clause 15 of the
Bill under parliamentary consideration. In conclusion, we must beware of the
preaching of these ministers of learning (or ministers of darkness… to some!),
who tell us truth in little things only to betray us in deeds of greatest
consequences!
Mohamad K. Yusuff
Washington, DC/USA
Posted July 20, 2003. The above editorial was eventually published in the Guyana Chronicle on December 23, 2003.