Indonesia clerics warn men against wearing dresses for Independence Day games

Jakarta, August 10 — The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country's top Islamic clerical body, has cautioned men against donning "women's clothing" for Independence Day celebrations, despite a long-standing custom of men wearing dresses while playing football as part of the festivities. As homophobia surges in the predominantly Muslim Southeast Asian nation, the MUI issued a statement deeming such acts "haram" or unlawful.

The MUI claimed its move was to halt a "covert campaign" by the Lesbian, Gay, Sodomy and Obscenity (LGSP) movement, its preferred acronym for LGBT. On August 17, 1945, Indonesians commemorate their nation's independence from colonial rule through games and parades. Participants engage in tug-of-war, sack races, cracker-eating contests, climbing greased poles, and attend vibrant float parades.

In certain communities, men traditionally wear dresses and hijab while playing football; this is widely considered humorous and not a declaration of gender identity. Men also dress up for independence parades. However, the MUI's Fatwa Commission warned in a recent statement that the increase in "unorthodox actions" like men wearing women's attire is deemed a violation of Sharia and social norms.

The advisory includes women dressing as men as well. This is not the first instance of the MUI criticizing gender-bending attire, but its latest warning surfaced amid growing apprehension following a series of physical assaults on LGBTQ individuals and a presidential decree classifying "LGBTQ culture" as a security threat.