summer 2008

She is becoming Muslim, He is leaving Islam

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I am a proud lesbian of a Catholic background. I am currently Buddhist but started reading a translation of the Qur'an and it contains the most beautiful truths I have ever heard. Would it be a sin to convert to Islam, knowing that I will continue to live my life as a lesbian, the way God made me? Will I be accepted by other Muslims? I currently live in an area with few Muslims, but in a year or so, I will be moving to Livonia, MI, near Detroit. God's Blessings. - Brenda. USA.

 

Dear Brenda, 

First of all, I would like to second your sentiments about the Qur'an. You are right, it does contain some great truths. Now, to answer your two questions 1) here at Huriyah we value a system of Islam that accepts us. This does not mean we disregard all the Islamic paths that do not accept us, but we do not value them as much as we value those others who are kinder to us. Therefore, not all of Islam thinks it is sin to be queer. But a great majority of Islamic religions do.

The greater idea is that instead of considering your sexuality, consider your heart. Would you first want to be Muslim -- above all else? Many queer Muslims are born into the religion, so for them it is not just a religion but a culture they must consider. For you, as someone coming from a different culture, it is only a matter of the heart. For this reason, only you can decide. But we advise you to become Muslim, then work out your issues of sexuality with the specific group of Islam you feel fit.

2) Islam is about individual truths. You need not worry about what other Muslims will think of you. As long as you are happy with your faith, that is all that matters. Every Muslim in the world can lead a life that is suitable with Islam, without interacting with any other Muslims. However, there are many Muslims who are accepting of gay and lesbian Muslims. In the United States, one of them is the Muslims for Progressive Values ( www.mpvusa.org ). I would encourage you to join a community like that who accepts and values your participation. I wish you well with your adventure!

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I grew up in a Muslim family, but have been dissatisfied with the level of homophobia I have been experiencing in my family and in Islam. I have been seriously considering leaving Islam for the past few years, and now it is becoming vocalized in my thoughts. Is there a way to really reconcile Islam and my sexuality, or should I just leave? This is killing me.  - Hamza. FRANCE.

 

Dear Hamza,

No one can advise you about leaving your faith-- it is something that comes from your own heart. However, we can tell you that we would never support, let alone contribute on a regular basis, to a magazine like ours unless we believed the reconciliation between our faith and sexuality was happening.

~ Dr. Qaneeth

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H O M E

 

Dr. Qaneeth is the anonymous name of Huriyah's kind advice giver(s.) We would like you to remember that it is not one individual. None of them is to be assumed a doctor unless otherwise noted. Their advices are not a written law but the advice of other human beings who are just as imperfect as you. To contact the doctor, send e-mails to advise@huriyahmag.com Make sure you put "Dr. Qaneeth" on the subject line so that it may be forwarded to them unopened. If the question relates to religious beliefs, please tell us what branch of Islam (or other religions) you belong to. We may not put your question in the order in which you sent, to make it easier for our readers and to shorten space.