Govt mulls banning transgenders from entering mosques in federal territories

The government is looking into emulating Perlis in banning “mukhannath” or transgender individuals from entering mosques in the federal territories.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the action of religious authorities in Perlis was appropriate to maintain the sanctity of mosques and avoid confusion among the community.

“I am speaking in the context of the federal territories because that is within our jurisdiction. For other states, it’s up to their respective religious authorities. If we want to encourage other states to follow what is being done in Perlis, we have to look at the seriousness of the cases that occur (in the states).

“For me, what Perlis is doing is something that can be emulated because if a man enters a mosque wearing headscarves, it is very inappropriate. If a man enters the Muslim women’s section (of the mosque), it will disturb their privacy. But if they come (to the mosque) to repent, then it’s okay,” he told reporters after launching an event in Kemaman today.

However, Marzuk said so far, the department had not received any information or reports regarding the presence of transgender individuals in mosques.

The Perlis fatwa committee has declared that men who appear like women, such as crossdressers or transgender individuals, are forbidden from entering mosques while not in gender-conforming appearances as they will “disturb the worship environment of mosques”.

The decision was made during the committee’s meeting on June 23 and 24, and posted on the Perlis mufti department’s website.