Malaysia’s federal islamic authorities—the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)—have suggested sexual orientation can be changed in a video aimed to educate Muslims in the country on how to approach LGBT issues.
The 3:08-minute video has received 16,000 views and urges homosexuals to fulfill his sexual desires through marriage, or subdue desires by fasting. It advises Muslims to be patient and help their friends change if they discover them to be LGBT.
The video states, in Malay, “fact is, there are those among Muslims that has non-heterosexual orientation but remains steadfast on the path of Islam.”
“For them, this is a test of Allah, and they choose to face the test appropriate with what Islam demands,” said the video.
JAKIM also likened sexual orientation to horse-riding, claiming that with training and practice anyone can change their techinque.
The video has received mixed mixed reactions online with some praising JAKIM’s “soft” and “respectful” approach to LGBT.
Others pointed out that it is impossible for homosexuals to change their orientation.
“This video is going to make people believe that there is a way to 'change' homosexuals into heterosexuals. No way you can do that,” said one user according to Malay Online.
“I was not impressed by the video. And it's very dangerous for them to encourage heterosexual marriage as a way to ‘fix’ the LGBT person, for the person, the spouse AND the children they may bear,” commented user Huda Mutalib.