Diversity in religion: Islam

Introduction

Religions are internally diverse; they encompass all aspects of human culture and behaviour; they are dynamic and changing. Harvard University professor, Diane Moore, has emphasised that we need to be aware of these three qualities in order to help us to understand religion (Religion and Public Life, 2022).

There is a consensus in Islamic legal scholarship that homosexual relationships between men are wrong. However Islamic cultures deal with homosexuality and other prohibited behaviours in a variety of ways.  

In order to consider the diversity of Muslim attitudes to same-sex relationships, you will watch a two-part interview with Dr Shanon Shah, author of The Making of a Gay Muslim: Religion, Sexuality and Identity in Malaysia and Britain.

Interested in taking your learning further? You might find it helpful to explore the Open University’s Religious Studies courses and qualifications [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .