Indonesia's Top Clerics Ban Men from Wearing Women's Clothes During Independence Day Celebrations

Indonesia's highest Islamic clerical body has issued a religious edict prohibiting men from wearing women's clothing during the nation's Independence Day festivities. The Majlis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) declared the practice haram, or forbidden, citing concerns over rising anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the Muslim-majority nation.

“

haram or forbidden

Traditionally, men have sometimes donned women's attire as part of humorous entertainment during annual events, including football matches. However, the MUI's Fatwa Commission stated in a recent declaration that such cross-dressing, alongside other perceived "deviant acts," constitutes a violation of Sharia law and societal norms. The warning extends to women who wear men's clothing.

Each year, Indonesians celebrate their independence, declared on August 17, 1945, with various games, parades, and competitions. While cross-dressing has often been viewed as a lighthearted jest rather than a statement of gender identity, the MUI's pronouncement signals a stricter stance on gender expression and adherence to religious and social conventions.

“

the intervention is an effort to prevent hidden campaigns of the Lesbian, Gay, Sodomy and Perversion (LGSP) movement, a designation it promotes as an alternative to the term LGBT.

The MUI's statement aims to prevent what it terms "hidden campaigns" of what it calls Lesbian, Gay, Sodomy, and Perversion (LGSP), which it promotes as an alternative to the term LGBT. This move reflects a growing conservative trend within the country regarding gender and sexuality.

“

the increase in deviant acts such as male participants wearing women's clothing is considered to have led to violations of sharia and social norms.