Trans community open to learning about Islam, not forced 'conversion'

Transgender activist Khartini Slamah is open to learning about Islam, and even seeking guidance from religious authorities.

The award-winning Sarawak native said, however, the problem often lies with clerics who insist that transgender people should be "converted" back to their "true selves" before they can start to learn more about the religion.

"To me, it doesn't mean just because you are a transgender you cannot learn about religion (Islam), you can. I want to learn it, I want to better myself.

"Don't say 'mak nyah' must change first (to be a man), and only then we can start to learn," said the 56-year-old, recognised as being among the first transgender activists in the country.

"From my youth, I was raised with a religious education background. My parents tried to 'change' me, they tried their very best.

"I (still) go to pray five times a day, but I am what I am," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Wrong approach

Khartini also said she disagreed with the approach taken by Federal Territories mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (photo), who earlier this month invited transgender cosmetics entrepreneur Safiey Ilias for tea and a discussion at his office in an open letter.

"I think the approach is wrong. If you ask me personally, I don't agree with it.

"I don't think there is a problem for mak nyah to have a dialogue with clerics... but nowadays, many are looking down at us, and they like to find out what they think is wrong with us," she said.

Khartini added that this approach extended to state-sponsored transgender rehabilitation programmes, which she said do not take the views of the community into account.

In his open letter, Zulkifli said the invitation was issued after his office received several unverified photos of Safiey, and wanted an opportunity to exchange views on the subject.

Safiey eventually turned down the invitation, with Zulkifli using the male pronoun "saudara" to describe the transwoman.

Commenting on the public backlash against another cosmetics entrepreneur, Sajat Kamaruzzaman (photo), Khartini said the 33-year-old is viewed as a success story in the transgender community.

"The trans community supports Nur Sajat as someone who is successful in business.

"How people look at her, that is up to them," she said, alluding to various media reports and social media comments on speculation surrounding Nur Sajat's gender.

Khartini was among speakers at the launch of the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) and Women's Aids Organisation (WAO)'s shadow report on the government's fulfilment of its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).

In her personal sharing session, Khartini highlighted how the transgender community continues to face violence and discrimination, especially in terms of access to healthcare and employment opportunities. - Mkini