The thesis titled ‘Haram Means It's Forbidden' primary deals with the intersectionality of the religion of Islam and Homosexuality within a South African setting. The main narrative that arises within the thesis is the notion of “Can one be homosexual and Muslim?” In Islam homosexuality is known as haram (forbidden) and being gay is strongly frowned upon and believed to send one to hell. Many homosexual Muslim men live their lives filled with mental health issues, stemming from the idea of not being accepted by God, and the communities that they belong to. In many modern Islamic communities, men that identify as homosexual are still ostracised and ridiculed, and this thesis provides insight into the mind and life of a character struggling to find balance between religion and sexuality. This thesis centres the protagonist, Muhammad Gilbert, recounting his initial experience experimenting with his sexuality. He thereafter experiences a toxic relationship – which many young gay men experience. Furthermore, Muhammad has a co-dependent relationship with his mother, which the thesis explores. Through the character of Muhammad Gilbert, the thesis provides a much-needed narrative that exhibits the life of a gay Muslim subculture prevalent in a Cape Coloured community. There are less than twenty novels around the world that with the specific topic of the intersectionality of the religion of Islam and Homosexuality, and out of those twenty stories, none have a South African setting, despite there being approximately 600 000 Muslims living in South Africa. With this thesis, I hope to start a much-needed conversation surrounding the treatment of homosexual men, and others identifying with the LGBTQ+ spectrum, within Muslim Communities. It is evident that there is still a vast change that needs to occur within the mindsets of Muslims that justify their hatred towards the LGBTQ+ community because of religion.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations