Fajarasia.co – The British Embassy (Embassy) to Indonesia in Jakarta has been criticized for flying the rainbow flag which is a symbol for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT). But apparently a similar problem has occurred, but not in Indonesia but in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
From the search results, the editor of the British newspaper, The Independent, once reported on the strong reaction from the public after the British Embassy in the UAE raised the rainbow flag in Abu Dhabi. The incident occurred in June 2021.
The UAE is actually trying to show itself as a liberal Islamic country in the Middle East. But the UAE still applies penalties for homosexuality. That’s why when the British Embassy raised the rainbow flag in support for LGBT+ at that time and uploaded it on social media, many netizens immediately criticized it.
The comments from netizens who were described as conservatives wrote various things such as ‘Unacceptable’, ‘Disrespectful’, and ‘Insults’. While others wrote ‘Racist’ and most of the others asked the British Embassy to immediately lower the rainbow flag.
Emirati political observer, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, at that time understood that the British Embassy had asked permission to fly the flag. However, according to him, it should not be done considering that a third of the population is part of the conservatives who are more vocal in voicing this kind of thing.
“They did inform the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They said, ‘Look, we are doing this as support for the rights of LGBT people’. I think the answer is, ‘You should not do it even though it is your sovereign right’. actually gave the green light but actually the yellow light,” Abdullah said.
At that time the British Embassy in the UAE did not respond to this.
The LGBT Rainbow Flag Controversy at the British Embassy in Jakarta
The same thing is now happening in Indonesia. On 17 May 2022, a rainbow flag was hoisted from the British Embassy flagpole, lined up with the British Union Jack flag. May 17th is Anti-Homophobia Day which is observed worldwide every May 17th. Reported by the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO), this institution has removed homosexuality from the international classification of diseases on May 17, 1990.
“Yesterday, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) – we raised the LGBT+ flag and held an event, for all of us who are part of the one human family,” the British Embassy in Indonesia said on its official Instagram account. , accessed by detikcom, Saturday (21/5) yesterday
The UK has clearly shown its siding with LGBT rights. The UK also encourages all countries in the world to stop discrimination against LGBT people.
A moment later, there were criticisms of the raising of the LGBT flag in Jakarta. The majority of the criticism comes from religious circles.
PP Muhammadiyah chairman Anwar Abbas reacted. Representing his mass organization, Anwar expressed his assessment that the British Embassy did not respect Indonesia because it raised the LGBT flag.
“Muhammadiyah deeply regrets the attitude of the British Embassy which did not respect the Republic of Indonesia by flying the LGBT flag. They should know that the Indonesian people have the Pancasila philosophy, where the Indonesian people respect the values of religious teachings,” said Anwar Abbas as in his statement, Saturday. (21/5) yesterday.
For the same amount of money, Head of MUI for Fatwa Asrorun Niam Sholeh said that this action from the British Embassy could trigger tensions. Because, this is not in line with the ethics of friendship.
“Steps that display partiality and or campaign against norms that are contrary to the norms of the Indonesian people are actions that are not in line with the civility of the ethics of friendship. And that can trigger tensions that should be avoided,” said Asrorun, Sunday (22/5/2022).
“Ignoring the norms that live in Indonesian society is harassment,” he continued.
International law experts from the University of Indonesia considered the British Embassy’s installation of the LGBT rainbow flag as a bad act. The British Embassy is certainly aware that the mainstream attitude in Indonesia does not like LGBT.
“In fact, raising the LGBT flag is perceived by most of the Indonesian public as a provocative act,” said Hikmahanto.****
