Homosexuality
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.