Transgender Community Not Allowed in Mosques According to Perlis Mufti
With the issue of Nur Sajat’s ongoing manhunt and potential arrest, it seems like the transgender community is under a microscopic lens once again in Malaysia.
Now, Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has come out to say that Perlis has forbid the transgender community from worshipping in mosques in the state.
According to him, their confusion with their own gender will disrupt other worshippers.
If a person from the transgender community still wishes to pray at the mosque, they must pray according to their “true” gender.
He continues to explain that despite transitioning, those who were born a male cannot perform pilgrimage and they are treated as men during funeral arrangements.
However, if someone innately has feminine characteristics without actually being a part of the transgender community, they are allowed to perform worship. This also applies to women who have masculine features.
He continues to say that people who purposely embody traits that are not of their gender are committing sin.
Earlier this year, a rights group has warned the government against amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355), saying it could fuel more discrimination and violence against the LGBT community.
Despite the opposition to the amendment, the sentencing limits under Act 355 were increased and shaariah courts were empowered to impose maximum sentences of three years’ jail, a fine of RM5,000, and six strokes of the rotan – which is the maximum punishment Sajat might be facing if found guilty of wearing a baju kurung to a religious event.