Indonesia
Society
The government's plan to introduce a syllabus that aims to prevent "the spread of LGBTQ culture” has garnered broad criticism from education and rights observers for its antidemocratic stance and its potential to not only reinforce but also legitimize systemic discrimination against a minority group.
Two people walk past a billboard that reads “Firmly reject LGBT” on July 27, 2026, in Banda Aceh, Aceh. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin)
Experts and activists have censured the government’s plan to introduce a syllabus for religious schools aimed at preventing what it has described as the “spread of LGBTQ culture”, calling the policy a misplaced priority that risked fueling discrimination.On July 27, the Religious Affairs Ministry announced it was finalizing learning materials that would be integrated into classes at religious educational institutions nationwide, including pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), faith-based schools and religious higher education institutions based on the six constitutionally recognized faiths.
