More on “Trivializing Homosexuality”

Editor’s Mail

I read with great interest the letter written by Mr Asif Iftikhar regarding the above in the June 2006 issue of Renaissance and also its response by Mr Shehzad Saleem on the same subject.

May I contribute further to this sensitive but important issue by saying that, as a practicing psychiatrist in Pakistan for over 22 years, I have had the unique opportunity of dealing with patients in our cultural setting who find themselves unable to cope with their sexual orientation which differs from the one considered normal in our society. Most of them were severally depressed because of their sexual outlook; and whereas many contemplated suicide, some in their despair did ultimately commit it.

We must wake up from the naïve notion that homosexuality is a recent western phenomena. On the contrary, it has existed throughout history in one form or another, and in varied cultures with ours being no exception. We need to stop living in a make believe world as we do with most matters, and address this issue in a mature and dispassionate manner. Should homosexuality be considered a “disease”, a “variation” or a “sin”? If the west has decided to accept it as a variation, in the same way as people vary in their height or colour we may or may not choose to agree with this view. But is it fair to go to the other extreme and condemn all those individuals who are struggling to keep their religion and sexuality in some kind of order, to be condemned as evil and sinful. I am particularly referring here to those who do not rejoice or glorify their homosexuality but are greatly distressed because of it. If we claim that our religion has a solution to all dilemmas then it is high time our religious scholars adopted a fresh approach to this matter.

Over the years, I have had several discussions with a large number of religious scholars of varying background, both at home and abroad, who have all, save a few rare exceptions, outrightly severely condemned individuals suffering from this problem. They are unwilling to make any distinction between those who practice it out of choice as part of a general libidinous behaviour and those who are not only severally distressed by it but are desperately begging for a cure out of it. I know of numerous individuals in the latter category who are otherwise devout.

These Muslims, who are practicing piety equalled by few others, have been pleading to God most sincerely and fervently to rid them of this disability but sadly with no relief. Torn between their sexual urges and their strict adherence to their religious faith, some of them end up leading celibate lives which in the world of today is by no mean easy. Many become clinically depressed as they use up most of their energies to curb their sexual desire and are plagued with the haunting insecurities of old age. All in all, they lead a terrible lonely existence. They choose to endure this again purely for their love of religion but what, in turn, some of our contemporary interpretations of religion have to offer them: blanket condemnation, excommunication, threats of horrific punishments now and in the hereafter etc. Little wonder that some of them totally frustrated and disappointed with such a response decide to abandon religion altogether. It is here that I would hold those religious leaders responsible for them going astray, because instead of providing them with compassion, support and understanding, they drive these disturbed souls away from religions by their rigid, dogmatic and “holier than thou attitude”.

It is extremely easy and most ego inflating to stand on one’s high moral ground and condemn others as evil and sinful. It takes courage, understanding, tolerance, sagacity and empathy to experience the suffering of those who are undergoing a distressing predicament. Regrettably, these qualities are seriously lacking in those who award these harsh judgement.

I am glad that Mr Shehzad Saleem has permitted the discussion of such a sensitive issue in this journal and I now look up to him and the chief editor of the journal, Mr Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, to examine this matter in a scholarly light and hopefully provide answers which are long awaited. On my part, I am ready to offer my own services any time if these can assist them in this endeavour.

Yours faithfully

Prof. Dr. Sa‘ad B Malik

Head, department of Psychiatry

AllamaIqbal Medical College

& Jinnah Hospital, Lahore