« Liminality (II) | Main | Pyrrhic victories, on the other hand. . . »
December 06, 2002
Vetternwirtschaft
No idea why I have the English-German Freedict dictionary installed. . .
The current (December 2002) issue of Curve (the best-selling Lesbian magazine, the Pam Grier-adorned cover claims) features an article descriptively titled Keeping the Faith: More Queer Women of Color Are Making Room for Themselves in the Religions of Their Ancestors:
In mainstream, or orthodox, Islam, “Same-sex acts are considered wrong and are forbidden,” [Faisal] Alam [of the Al Fatiha Foundation] says, adding that in some countries governed by Islamic law, same-sex acts are punishable by whip-lashing or even death. Islamic religious leaders typically use certain books of the Koran and declarations by the prophet Mohammad to support their beliefs about homosexuality, Alam says. Despite the fact that neither of these sources makes any mention of female sexuality, references to forbidden acts between two women were added long after the prophet died, Alam says.Many contemporary Muslims believe that homophobia in Islam is a product not of the Koran but of colonization by England, Alam notes, arguing that anti-gay sentiment didn’t surface in Islamic states until after World War I. Before coming under English rule, Islamic states had an abundance of same-sex expression, including harems of both men and women and same-sex erotic art and poetry.
Currently, a movement among contemporary, progressive Muslim scholars is rediscovering the true meanings and intentions of the Koran within a feminist, pro-gay framework. “Our sexuality is a very small component of what makes us Muslim,” Alam says. “It’s about your relationship with God.”
“We view Islam as a very, very progressive faith,” he adds. “It is a faith that is evolving.”
The article also touches on various flavors of Christianity and mentions Buddhism in passing. More than worth a visit to their site, or getting the print version for $3.95 USA/$5.95 Canada/£3.50 UK.
My sister's already been paid, so she probably doesn't care one way or the other.
Karen, you did get paid for that, right?
Oh, and you maybe don't want to mention any of this to the warbloggers. I think the very notion of lesbian Muslims would make their heads go 'splody.
On second thought, please mention this to the warbloggers.
Want to know more? Visit the Al Fatiha Foundation:
An international organization dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, those questioning their sexual orientation andor gender identity, as well as their families, friends, partners, and allies.
Update: Which organization, I just noticed, is linked on Laura's site, and probably has been for ages. I am dumb.
Posted by Aaron at December 6, 2002 07:38 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.uppity-negro.com/cgi-uppity-negro/mt-tb.cgi/718
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Vetternwirtschaft: