From: asim@irk.ugcs.caltech.edu (A. M. Mughal)
Subject: Re: Islam and gays
Organization: Caltech Undergraduate Computer Science
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 19:18:59 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.225824.11526@sco.COM> waseems@sco.COM (Waseem Siddiqi) writes:
>
>Here's an article that came out recently in a magazine about Muslim gays.
>I think that is a contradiction in term. One  can't be a Muslim and a 
>gay/lesbian at the same time.
>
>However we should know what is going on in the Islamic community and 
>understand the challenges that we face. Hence the posting of this  article.
	Thanks for bringing it up and posting it here. 

>
>There's a shocking para in there about homosexual  activities in Pakistan.
>I didn't know this kind of things happened in Pakistan.

	I wouldn't know either. All I know is people have tendency to joke 
	about things like that and they don't really mean it seriously.For
	someone from outside it will be difficult to understand who may take
	it at the face value. jj
>regards
>waseem
>
>They feel trapped, and one constant theme they echo is summed up in
>the words of Muhammad, a financial expert and an Ismaili Muslim form 
>East Africa. He says, "We have become a minority within a minority"
>
>As a result, say these Muslim gays and lesbians, their only hopes lies in
>setting their own associations and support groups and giving each other courage
>and understanding.
>They all agree that an ideal solution to reconcile Islam with their
>sexuality would be to set up a mosque for gays and lesbians. But in the same 
>breath, one quickly adds, " That won't fly. It would be bombed in the
>first week by the fundamentalists."

	Lots of brainwashing stuff here. Just pointing out a little bit in 
	above. The intent of the article is to make you feel sympathic to 
	the 'Muslim gays' by using the clever terms expressing their emotions
	in terms of 'feel trapped' 'have become a minority' 'only hope' etc
	Hence, setting a stage for anyone opposing them to be termed 'evil'
	by default. The dramatizing of 'bombing' their mosque by 'fundamentalists. is an example.

	The reality is, according to my understanding, Islam & pre-marital sex
	don't mix even in hetero-relationships. Islam and homosexuality doesn't
	mix either, I don't see how one can reconcile having two 'No No's 
	together. There are levels of 'wrong', deceit or lying IS wrong but 
	something which upset the basic family structure of the society is 
	probably a 'bigger wrong' and hence a stronger punishment for it. 

	It doesn't mean Muslims should stone the gays, it is not up to us to
	judge anyone. One lives one's own life and has to bear the consequences
	later, it is between the person and Allah who is also all forgiving.
	I also doesn't mean that I approve of things which go against my belief
	but I am also not a 'robocop' (Khudai-fauj-dar). :)	

	Btw, the article mentions no names or anything for verification 
	purposes, yes it does cite examples and quotions with catchy pharasing
	to tantilize the subject but then again how much trush one should 
	put in such an article ? :)  I can probably come up with an article 
	like that in 10 mins or so but the only place which may want to publish
	it would be the 'National Enquirer" ;)
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-- 
>Waseem A. Siddiqi                                 Tel:    (416) 922 1937 
>SCO Canada                                        email: waseems@sco.com 

Asim Mughal
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