Indonesia's highest Islamic clerical body issues Anti-LGBT Fatwa proposing death penalty.

Indonesia's highest Islamic clerical body issues Anti-LGBT Fatwa proposing death penalty.(Independent).

Indonesia's most prominent Islamic clerical body has issued a fatwa proposing a host of punishments for "homosexual crimes" - including the death penalty.

While Indonesia does not have a reputation for being particularly welcoming of the LGBT community – and same-sex marriage is not permitted - homosexual relations are not prohibited. Most individuals can go about their lives without prejudice.

But the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) views homosexuality as a sin. It issued the edict at the start of this month, according to The Jakarta Globe.

The fatwa claimed that homosexuality is a disease that needs to be cured and proposed a series of brutal penalties, ranging from caning to death.

Hasanuddin AF, the head of the MUI's fatwa commission, said: "Sodomy, homosexuals, gays and lesbians in Islamic law are forbidden and [it] is a vile act that is punishable by the death penalty."

He added: "It doesn’t matter that they love each other.

"The law still prohibits it. In Islamic law, it’s a sexual act that must be heavily punished. It would be bad if the government allows same-sex marriage." According to Detik News, the fatwa was issued as a means of "reminding the public" that homosexuality is a "deviant" behaviour that creates a "stain on the dignity of Indonesia". Read the full story here.