KLANG – A 58-year-old former lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individual has emphasised the importance of parents consistently monitoring their children’s gadget usage and the content they consume.
Wanted to be known as Muhammad Azri, he adviced parents to be vigilant, regardless of their children's age, to prevent them from straying from Islamic teachings.
"Keep an eye on their gadget use and the content they consume. Those with children in hostels, regularly inquire about their activities, their friends, and what they do when they are away from home.
"In my observation of today's world compared to my time, I have noticed a significant increase in young people falling into the pitfalls of LGBT issues and straying from Islamic teachings,” he told Sinar Daily.
Azri also highlighted that during his upbringing in the 1970s and 1980s, there was limited awareness and support for individuals seeking to realign with Islamic teachings.
"There were limited resources or programmes available to support people like me.
"Fast forward to 2024, with significant technological advancements, the LGBT community now has various accessible platforms like Facebook and Google to seek assistance and find answers, aiding in their journey to reconnect with Islamic teachings,” he stressed.
Azri said in the current discussions surrounding the LGBT issue within the Islamic community, the emphasis on maintaining taqwa (God-consciousness) emerges as a pivotal guiding principle.
With the advent of modern technology, individuals within the LGBT community now have unprecedented access to diverse platforms for seeking assistance and reconnecting with the tenets of Islamic teachings.
Azri strongly urged the government and Islamic organisations to take decisive and vigilant action to address LGBT issues within the country, ensuring these individuals were guided back to the right path towards Allah.
"It is essential to monitor and address the existence of venues like public pubs frequented by individuals involved in LGBT activities and dark alleys where prostitution occurs to prevent further spread. Let us all strive to guide and support these individuals in finding their way closer to Allah, InshaAllah,” he said.
Meanwhile, another former LGBT individual Syahrin Rashidi, 59, also stressed that maintaining taqwa was essential in addressing the LGBT issue.
"Despite numerous programmes conducted by organisations like the Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) to assist the LGBT community in returning to the right path, finding individuals who remain istiqamah (steadfast) is challenging.
"Religion is the fundamental catalyst for positive transformation, but true change requires wholehearted commitment. Without this dedication, even extensive efforts and resources expended by organisations like MAIS may not yield the desired results or bring about meaningful change,” he said.