Indonesia Islamic Authority Calls for Crackdown on Muslim LGBT Activities

With a population of roughly 250 million, Indonesia, a democracy, is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. While homosexuality is legal in the of the country—with the exception of two regions that use Islamic law to criminalize same-sex activities for Muslims—LGBT people still face very real hurdles, something that looks set to intensify. Earlier this week, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the state-sanctioned body that oversees Islamic life in the country, announced that it was preparing a religious edict calling for the prosecution of Muslims who partake in LGBT-related political activities. 

According to The Jakarta Post, the Islamic council is now endeavoring to ban activities and organizations working towards rights and freedoms for LGBT people. The body's chairman, Ma’ruf Amin, said:

“We want Muslims to be cautious of LGBT [activities]. This is not about LGBT people, but more to do with their movements. There is a lot that is deviant about it."

Another spokesperson, Asrorun Niam, added further clarification, saying that Indonesians should not discriminate against LGBT people who "should be rehabilitated to cure their homosexuality.” But, he said:

“For those who campaign for [LGBT rights], there should be firm legal prosecution to protect the legal and social order of society.”