I was debating whether to insert this within LGBT+ or Islamic Leftism but I do think ultimately it might fit here better because it covers the specific experience of French indigènes, which makes it more relevant here.

I feel like in these sort of online Islamic “progressive” spaces, there’s no genuine discussions happening. These spaces are often almost defensive in nature - like the existence of this community is just to prove to disapproving whites that Islam isn’t this, or isn’t that. This is a result of being in a Western dominated space in general.

Gender and sexual minorities is a very important phenomenon that must require a response, yet it is almost ignored or never spoken about because this muslim-homophobia dichotomy is so engrained that people are (rightfully) scared to even talk about it, especially across the White left.

I’d of course invite everyone to treat this article critically, and contribute if you have any qualms against their conclusions, although I will admit my opinions have slowly drifted closer to the article as the years went by.

  • NeptiumOP
    3•11 months ago

    What prompted me to share this article was I read this other article by the Human Rights Watch, and the entire article was the standard for LGBT issues in muslim countries, written by a Western organisation.

    But what made really laugh was this paragraph:

    The film has no gay sex scenes and no kissing. In fact, it invites young Indonesians to contemplate how rich traditional ethnic culture must fight to survive imported cultures and religions, including Islam, that have entered Indonesia. [Emphasis my own]

    Utterly ahistorical trash. Right before this they mentioned that the cross-gender dance, lengger, was

    in Serat Centhini, a 12-volume compilation of Javanese tales and teachings, published in 1814. It contains verses on sexuality, including overlapping femininity and masculinity. Serat Centhini depicts Java in the 17th century.

    17th Century Java - which by that point has had established Islamic sultanates, which I repeat, was spread peacefully throughout Maritime Southeast Asia. Wars of conquest did occur, but they were the exception not the rule. The dance itself became even more popular in Java as a means to spread Islam.

    Only a western organisation like HRW would be egregious enough in falsifying Islamic Southeast Asian history to fulfil their orientalist visions of Islam.

    Utterly disgusting.