Last week I watched a documentary about Gay Muslims in Youtube thanks to Muslimah Media Watch. The conclusion that I have after watching that is, there’s so much more that I need to learn and understand about human being.
The Gay Muslims that were interviewed, expressed their feeling of being dejected and depressed. The common fear that I realised among them, is the fear towards their own Muslim community. The fear that they might be beaten, boy-cotted, shamed, and many more not-so-nice things people would do to other people.
The series comprised of 6 clips, and when I am at about the 3rd clip, I thought of the word ‘understanding’. I think what people lack most in today’s world, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, is the understanding of other people. By the end of the 6th clip, it shows a confession of one of the Gay Muslim, saying that all he wants is to be understood.
Simple word, understanding. But rather difficult to practise. Not shallow, superficial understanding – but through and thorough understanding. Looking at the world, totally from that other person’s view. Feeling their pain, and their fear. Their sorrow and their joy. That is the thing that is lacking.
In my opinion, these people, gay Muslims. That’s their challenge in life. The Almighty has put on each and everyone of us our own set of challenges, it just so happen for them, it’s their sexuality. Similar with people faced with poverty, or disability, or emotional trauma – there are all challenges by the Almighty.
I think it’s best to understand more, judge less. After all, it’s not our duty to judge. It’s our duty to understand each other, to befriend each other.
I think people tend to apply one solution to all situation. In my opinion, if a Muslim is gay, and is trying to come to term with his issues – isn’t the best thing for us to do is to be an understanding brother or sister? Lend a helping hand, be a listener?
