THE question of Islam and homosexuality surfaced recently when an interview with the Mufti of Singapore, Dr Naziruddin Nasir, was aired (29 April) on Channel NewsAsia (CNA) in a documentary called “Regardless of Sexuality”.

It is a significant  because it was the first time the Mufti, who oversees religious rulings for Muslims here, spoke publicly on the matter. He made 3 main points.

Firstly, while he said that it is prohibited in Islam to “practice homosexuality”, he called for a compassionate response to those who struggle with their faith and sexuality.

Secondly, these issues are complex and multi-dimensional. Hence, a religious stand should consider other factors like social and legal aspects when it comes to policy decisions. If “we’re not dealing with it in the right ways, and with the right mind, society can break up,” he said.

Thirdly, we must not see the issue as a zero-sum game. The religious community should find ways to heal the pain and suffering felt by members of the LGBTQ fraternity as a result “of abuse, of ridicule, of rejection”.

The interview elicited much reaction within the Malay/Muslim community, particularly online. Many were negative, upset that the Mufti was not taking a stronger stance on the prohibition of homosexuality – which many consider a big sin in Islam.

For those who did not read the transcript or watch the full interview, this perception may have been fuelled by the headline quoting the Mufti as saying LGBT issues were “not a black-and-white matter”. They took it to mean that the Mufti was ambiguous about Islam’s strict and clear position on homosexuality when he was actually speaking in terms of navigating complex issues in a plural society with competing views.

The Mufti’s position is in fact consistent with an earlier religious guidance (irsyad) issued by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in 2022. This was further clarified in his speech during an Eid celebration with the asatizah (religious teachers) a week after the CNA documentary (5 May).

Nevertheless, regardless of where one stands on the question of Islam and homosexuality, two facts can be agreed upon.

Firstly, there are Singaporeans who identify as both LGBTQ and Muslim. Many of these Muslims are marginalised from their own family and society, and hence vulnerable to harm. They need support. 

Secondly, while there is a religious (or theological) element, there are social and political considerations. Like most communities in Singapore, Muslims are not homogenous, with multiple identities cutting across race, culture, social class, gender, sexuality, and more.

Regardless of identity, all law-abiding citizens deserve equal protection from harm and fair access to shared public spaces. As Singaporeans, we have the right to practise our faith so long as it does not harm and/or infringe on the rights of others to live according to theirs. 

Given these two facts, how do we move forward?

First, understand and accept these two facts. These are realities independent of personal views on Islam and homosexuality.

Second, it is important to recognise the dual identities Muslims have in modern society: the religious and the political. Moral disagreements on topics like homosexuality are not just theological matters to be viewed through the religious lens; it also concerns one’s status as a citizen. The latter demands that sexuality should not be a basis for discrimination and marginalisation.

Third, we need to recognise that there is no single human authority with a monopoly on faith in the public sphere. The diversity of religion, faith, and belief means that we need to find ways to live with differences without resorting to coercive and oppressive measures. Everyone desires to be treated with dignity and this should be respected. However, this must be reciprocal and not one-sided. Otherwise, it would be unfair.

What is truly needed is a process of dialogue and discussion to figure out how to stay true to our values while ensuring some of our most vulnerable are not left exposed to harm and indignity.

That is the crux of the matter.