Islamic countries where homosexuality is legal

BetterThanThou

I've been fascinated with Islamic culture for quite a long time, their way of life is something I'd like to experience at least once in my life, their friendliness(for most part), their food, their architecture, in general their culture all together is something I personally think is incredible. In the next few years, I'd love to visit an Islamic country for a week or two, as I think it would be an incredible experience. But, as a homosexual, I understand that homosexuality is illegal in many Islamic countries, and carries penalties as severe as death. Now, I wouldn't be going to an Islamic country with any intention of engaging in homosexual activities, or even mentioning my sexual orientation, but the fact that one small slip up could either end up with me being sentenced to death or imprisoned would totally put me off going to any countries with laws like this. So I ask, if I wanted to visit an Islamic country, which ones are safe to visit in general, where homosexuality isn't illegal?
Edit: Also, I'd be interested in a country that welcomes foreigners, rather than just tolerates them.

BetterThanThou

Also, in addition, a totally unrelated question to the last, but I figure it's better to put it here than make a new thread. In the much nearer future, I was hoping to make a trip to Eastern Europe, with my intention pretty much being, to save up a relatively small amount of euros, lets say around €1,000 for spending money, and then to pretty much live like a king for a week. Of the countries in Eastern Europe, what would be the most ideal for this purpose?

Ponster

Turkey, Bosnia and Jordan and would be the ones that first come to mind.

> and carries penalties as severe as death.

They tend (a) not to be the type of countries that your average tourist would even consider visiting and (b) AFAIK no foreigner has been executed for homosexuality in any Islamic country.

athtrasna

I've been to Turkey and Malaysia and can't say I find Islamic culture to be endearing.

Turkey was better because officially it's a secular state. Istanbul is gorgeous and on two continents but beware scam artists, particularly taxi drivers.

Malaysia claims to be cosmopolitan and "truly Asia " but I found it to be truly awful and oppressively Muslim.

beer_hunter

athtrasna wrote: »

I've been to Turkey and Malaysia and can't say I find Islamic culture to be endearing.

Turkey was better because officially it's a secular state. Istanbul is gorgeous and on two continents but beware scam artists, particularly taxi drivers.

Malaysia claims to be cosmopolitan and "truly Asia " but I found it to be truly awful and oppressively Muslim.

my sister was there ( malaysia ) in the past two months and had the same experience

smurfjed

truly awful and oppressively Muslim

Would you care to expand on this? What did you find so oppressive? What did you want to do but they wouldn't allow you to do?

killbillvol2

I've been to Malaysia many times and never felt that the fact that it was an Islamic country impinged on me in any way. It has many frustrations - inefficiency is a way of life - but overbearing religion isn't one of them.

johnire

I agree completely with this. I found the Malayasian people to be incredibly welcoming and hospitable. The same goes for the Bosnians. We visited Sarajevo for a few days and had a wonderful time.

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I've been to Malaysia many times and never felt that the fact that it was an Islamic country impinged on me in any way. It has many frustrations - inefficiency is a way of life - but overbearing religion isn't one of them.

athtrasna

smurfjed wrote: »

Would you care to expand on this? What did you find so oppressive? What did you want to do but they wouldn't allow you to do?

I'm blonde and very pale skinned. Got a lot of attention in Asia in general but most places it was interest and curiosity, Malaysia was extremely uncomfortable. I always covered my shoulders and knees and didn't wear clingy clothing /low cut tops or dresses but the looks I got and comments I heard were extremely upsetting as a young woman, and those were only the ones I could understand.

Sheldons Brain

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I've been to Malaysia many times and never felt that the fact that it was an Islamic country impinged on me in any way. It has many frustrations - inefficiency is a way of life - but overbearing religion isn't one of them.

Also Malaysia is not homogeneous, the likes of Penang is largely Chinese and could be a different experience from some of the other states.

ruskin

I hear Islamic State is beautiful this time of year.

alwald

I would try either Morocco or Tunisia, there are native homosexuals in these 2 countries but because of religion it's not allowed, these 2 countries have good ties with Europe and have been influenced by the European lifestyle quite a lot, food is amazing (Mediterranean food), lots to see and beautiful weather.