First of all, a glory to the filmmaker, Parvez Sharma, for he has bravely opened this extremely problematic - and nonetheless dangerous for some - issue of homosexuals in Muslim community into discussion. Yes, it is a brave act, for those people are facing various forms of death penalties or brutal punishments under the extremist laws of the sharia, thus being forced to lead secret lives or denials.
The documentary opens with Muhsin Hendricks, a gay imam in South Africa, who has been forced to resign from his work in two muslim theological schools when his homosexual identity has been revealed. Following this, he confronts a mufti, A.K. Hoosen, who seems to be ready for a discussion, however, the only answer he can get from Hoosen is that male sex is strictly forbidden in Islam, and the only interpretation can be given for the means of punishment. What is interesting here is that, while a rather rational and analytic interpretation of what is written in the Qur'an about Sodom and Gomorrah results not in male to male sexuality but in male rape, the mufti is insistent in the orthodox belief that the sura in the Qur'an is not open to discussion at all and one can not reinterpret the content of it according to his/her own desires. This, I believe, is also the biggest glitch in any monotheist religion, especially Islam; to bluntly accept the literal meaning of the content without any further reasoning. The film then moves on to other examples of homosexuals from various Muslim countries, such as Egypt or Iran; the countries where people escape from, in order to save their lives, leaving their loved ones, families, friends, and memories, thus, a part of their hearts, behind. Yet, wherever they run off to, the guilt inside in most of them continue to pursue them, for they constantly seek for an acceptance by their religion lo be able to love both the one for each, and God.
It is inconceivable both to believe that God loves and forgives all, and he has created everyone equal, and to punish those who are different from the average normal. The absurdity of not allowing any logical reasoning is simply the desire to have an absolute power over the crowds and is also an easier - and lazier - way to rule out the extraordinary. Therefore, in the most brutal way, the people on the edge are basically tortured and punished in the name of Allah, or, if lucky enough, are told that they have disease which they must get rid of. One of the most incredible solution these people are advised to get cured is to get married. This is all to erase a problem from the surface of the society, by creating a fake reality, leaving the ever-suffering individual on his own with his/her deepest self-guilt.
Gays, lesbians, women etc., who are under suppression in those countries of limited freedom for limited number - and kind - of people will try to get their freedom by running away, committing suicide or denying their identities, and the question is, until when ? Do those in power think that one day those that are the lowest for them will all kill themselves or get lost forever in their depressions and therefore the society will be saved - or cleaned - from them ? Will it suddenly go away after some time ? How many lives will it take to realize that it is only natural and usual, to be unusual ? The ever homophobic societies, specifically Muslim world in this case, will continue to use physical and psychological violence against homosexuals as long as dogma is the ruler, and the humanity will never get higher to a more peaceful and more enlightened level.
As Muhsin explains, a jihad does not necessarily mean a holy war, but is a general word struggle, hence, it is a true jihad for the suppressed to fight for their rights to one of the basic needs of humanity, love. After all, as far as this life on earth is concerned, we are still humans.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment