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"Homosexuality is thought to be an Americanized disease," Amer said. "But it is really rooted in Islamic tradition, and there is a way to look at it without using a Western lens."

Amer said that in countries such as Saudi Arabia, it is not uncommon to see two people of the same sex platonically kiss or hold hands in public. But she said it is not acceptable for a man and woman to participate in the same acts.

She also said that countries such as Egypt, which have no laws barring homosexuality, can convict gays for "contempt of religion."