Jakarta, IO – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) appealed to the government not to give permission for the Jakarta gathering of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activists from across Southeast Asian countries.
“MUI would like to remind and urge the government not to allow this agenda to take place,” said MUI deputy chair Anwar Abbas, per CNNIndonesia, Tuesday (11/7).
Anwar said if this is allowed to happen, the policy makers would violate the provisions stipulated by the constitution. He referred to Article 29.1 of the 1945 Constitution which stipulates that Indonesia is based on the belief of Almighty God.
Anwar noted that the activity is against religious teachings, especially the six major religions recognized in Indonesia, namely Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. “None of these religions tolerate LGBT practices,” he stressed.
The gathering of Asean Queer Advocacy Week (AAW) is rumored to be held in Jakarta this month. The event was reportedly organized by the the Asean SOGIE Caucus, a network of activists advocating for human rights in Southeast Asia. (un)