Indonesian MUI bans men from wearing women's clothing, citing religious and social concerns

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a new fatwa declaring it forbidden for men to wear women's clothing, particularly during public events like the August 17th Independence Day celebrations. The religious body cited Islamic law and social norms in its ruling.

KH Abdul Muiz Ali, Deputy Secretary of the MUI's Fatwa Commission, asserted that cross-dressing, or 'tasyabbuh,' is prohibited under Islamic sharia. He emphasized that national celebrations should reflect gratitude and unity, rather than deviating into behavior that contravenes religious ethics. The fatwa specifically targets practices seen during carnivals and parades.

According to Muiz, the prohibition is based on a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, which curses men who imitate women and vice versa. This ruling applies universally, whether in private or public spaces. Beyond religious grounds, the MUI expressed concern that the phenomenon of men dressing as women could be exploited to advance agendas associated with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, a movement the MUI has termed LGSP (Lesbian, Gay, Sodomy, and Pedophilia) to replace the common acronym.

The council views such actions as a potential gateway for promoting LGBT practices, which they deem contrary to both religious teachings and societal values in Indonesia. The MUI's stance reflects a broader conservative interpretation of religious and social conduct within the country.