04-12-2021, 02:11 PM
PETALING JAYA: A prominent Turkish scholar said compassion in Islam should be brought to the fore when dealing with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.
Mustafa Akyol said Muslims should understand that LGBTQ individuals endure a difficult life.
“They come with an inborn inclination which sees them harassed and looked down upon.
“I think the compassion of Islam, the respect of Islam should come to the fore,” he said at a webinar titled “Freedom and Tolerance in Islam: Why We Need Some Rethinking”, organised by G25 and Edunity Foundation.
Akyol, however, stated that he was not saying that Islam believes every sexual behaviour is morally right, adding that the religion also frowns upon pre-marital sex.
But, he said, a distinction needs to be made between Islam morally approving a certain behaviour and that of the people who have that certain behaviour as they are equal citizens with rights.
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