The question of homosexuality has been an on-going debate in the last couple of decades, with each religion, ethnic group, and culture expressing their own opinions on the matter. Like the Bible in Christianity, the Qu'ran in Islam can be vague and is interpreted differently depending on the interpreter and the point they hope to prove. However, weighing the evidence of the passages in the Qu'ran and in the Hadith, homosexuality is not accepted in the Muslim community. Punishment for homosexuality differs in various Muslim countries, from fines to possible execution, and most recently, the production of the movie The Kite Runner, has caused controversy in Afghanistan. Organizations such as Al-Fatiha have been established to help Muslims who are lesbian, gay, homosexual, or just searching for answers that they will not find in society or culture.
[...] Also, the severity of the punishment takes into consideration the offender of the crime of homosexuality, the situations surrounding the offence whether it is spreading in the community, how rampant it is and the rate of diseases spreading due to such acts In most cases though, because homosexuality is considered so heinous by the majority of the Muslim community, death is usually the punishment for engaging in homosexual acts. Homosexual intercourse is punished by death in “five officially Muslim nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen.”[17] The death penalty used to be applied in Afghanistan, when the Taliban was in control, and in Iraq after Saddam Hussein issued a ruling in 2001, but was obviously ousted in 2003. [...]
[...] sin of homosexual acts of Sodom with the destruction of their city because the Qu'ran does not view homosexuality as acceptable. In Sura 4:21, which reads and if two (men) of you commit it, then hurt them both; but if they turn again and amend, leave them alone, verily, God is easily turned, compassionate.”[2] This verse calls for the punishment of men engaging in homosexual acts to be something physical, most likely lashes, but if then confess their sins and stop engaging in such behavior, God will forgive them. [...]
[...] “There are also serious controversies today among Muslims over homosexuality, just as in Europe and America among Christians.”[31] While the general view of both Muslims and Christians that homosexuality is a sin, in which proof can be found in the Qu'ran and Hadith, homosexuals live easier lives in America and Europe than those who live in Muslim-majority countries. Homosexual Muslims face persecution and the threat of physical harm, possibly death, as their respected governments totally disregard their basic right to privacy. [...]
[...] The United Nations Human Rights Committee has ruled that the laws employed by the governments of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other countries where homosexuality is illegal, “violated the right to privacy guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covent on Civil and Political Rights.”[29] However, because of the mix of religion in the politics of Muslim-majority nations, “most Muslim nations insist that such laws are necessary to preserve morality and virtue.”[30] Until Muslims become further educated of the real facts of homosexuality, and not the myths and rumors told by their governments, homosexual Muslims will continue to be persecuted and face the daily threat of execution due to their sexual preference. [...]
[...] Humans Right Watch is attempting to force Iran to adopt a less severe and more humane way of dealing with the homosexuals in their country, including making homosexuality legal, which is a bit of a stretch in terms of the current situation and recognizing and respecting laws of privacy, which the SPD totally ignores. Homosexuality is considered illegal for both men and women in Afghanistan. Penal Code Article 427 reads: person who commits adultery or pederasty shall be sentenced to long imprisonment.”[25] In Afghanistan, homosexual acts are considered adultery, but death is usually the punishment because like Saudi Arabia and Iran, Islamic shari'a law is coupled with the Penal Code. [...]
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