Islamic Seminary Opposes Govt Move on Homosexuality
Following central government making up its mind to annul a controversial section of the penal law which criminalizes homosexuality as a crime, a leading Islamic seminary has opposed the move saying that unnatural sex is against principles of Islam.
“Homosexuality is an offence under Shariat Law and haram (prohibited) in Islam,” deputy vice chancellor of the Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Abdul Khalik Madrasi said.
At the same time, Madrasi asked the government not to revoke sections 377 of IPC according to which homosexuality is a crime.
It should be noted that the objection came a day after law minister Veerappa Moily said a decision on repealing the section would be taken only after considering concerns of all sections of the society, including religious groups like the church.
Maulana Salim Kasmi, vice-president of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), described homosexuality as crime and said that homosexuality is punishable under Islamic law and section 377 of IPC should not be tampered.
Maulana Mohd Sufiyan Kasmi, an AIMPLB member, and Mufti Zulfikar, president of Uttar Pradesh Imam Organisation have also expressed similar views on the issue.
Kasmi said it would be harmful for the society to legalise gay sex.
Buoyed by the news that the Centre is considering repealing the controversial section of the IPC, members of the gay community on Sunday held parades in several cities.
