MUI Fatwa Commission: Men Dressing as Women During 17 August Events is Forbidden

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Fatwa Commission has issued a ruling declaring it haram, or forbidden under Islamic law, for men to wear women’s clothing during events commemorating Indonesia’s Independence Day. Abdul Muiz Ali, Deputy Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, stated that the prohibition also applies conversely to women who wear clothing typically associated with men. He noted that the public often disregards norms and ethics when participating in carnivals held to celebrate Independence Day. “It is haram for men to appear or wear clothing usually worn by women. Likewise, it is haram for women to appear or wear clothing usually worn by men,” he said on Monday, 10 August 2026. Ali explained that the ruling refers to a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, in which the Prophet Muhammad cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men. The MUI also highlighted the potential social impact of cross-dressing in the current era. Ali assessed that such practices could be exploited by certain parties to introduce or spread Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) agendas. “In the current context, wearing clothes of the opposite sex tends to campaign for LGBT movement practices, which are clearly prohibited by religion and contrary to social norms,” he stated. The MUI has previously urged the government to formulate regulations against parties conducting LGBT campaigns. MUI Deputy Chairman M Cholil Nafis has stated that criminal sanctions are necessary for perpetrators of LGBT campaigning, arguing that same-sex activity is an immoral act and contrary to human nature. “I think this punishment should be heavier than the punishment for adultery. Because there are two mistakes. The first mistake is committing an immoral act, the second is committing a deviation because it is same-sex,” he said on 10 June 2026.