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The transgender Indonesian Muslims trying to secure their future
From the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65316057
By Trisha Husada & Silvano Hajid Maulana
BBC News IndonesiaThe future of Indonesia’s only Islamic community centre for transgender women is in jeopardy after its leader, Shinta Ratri, died in February – and the government says it cannot support it.
There are 63 trans women who regularly attend the Al-Fatah community centre, which provides a space for them to pray, learn the Quran, learn skills or simply socialise without being judged for who they are.
Ms Shinta’s death has put the community centre’s future in doubt. The building is owned by the late leader’s family – and they have asked Al Fatah to move out.
“We must be able to go on without Shinta and be independent,” says Ms Nur.
YS Albuchory, the Islamic centre’s secretary, explains they have received some support from community friends and human rights organizations, both locally and globally.
But acceptance of the trans community in Indonesia’s religious establishment is limited.
The state has not been actively hostile and has allowed its existence, members say, but it does not provide any direct support.
Waryono Abdul Ghafur, director of Islamic centres at Indonesia’s Ministry of Religion, says he is aware of the centre’s plight.
But authorities cannot support the centre as it does not count as a legitimate Islamic centre under state regulations, he says.
In a larger context, the state “supports all positive activities”, he says in a phone call with BBC News Indonesia. “People want to pray, why should they be refused?”
But the reality is that society “still rejects the social and religious status of transgender people”, he continues. The Ministry of Religion has never been in direct contact with Al Fatah or facilitated any of its activities.
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