[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Bangladesh has constructed its inaugural mosque for transgender individuals in Mymensingh, situated north of Dhaka. Known as the Dakshin Char Kalibari Masjid, this mosque represents a significant milestone for the local transgender community, offering them their first dedicated place of worship.
The establishment of the mosque followed the expulsion of transgender individuals from a local Islamic congregation. The Bangladeshi government generously provided the land, while the community pooled collective donations to erect the mosque. Notably, the mosque features a graveyard, addressing the previous refusal of a local cemetery to bury transgender individuals.
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Imam Abdul Motaleb, aged 65, stressed the importance of treating transgender individuals with dignity, asserting that they are equal to any other creation of Allah. He emphasized the universal right of all individuals, regardless of gender identity, to pray as prescribed by the Holy Quran.
Despite its modest structure, the mosque holds immense significance, providing transgender individuals with a space to pray freely. Mufti Abdur Rahman Azad, who oversees a charity for the community, highlighted its historic importance as the first mosque of its kind in Bangladesh.
Sonia, aged 42, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, recalling her childhood love for reciting the Quran and her subsequent exclusion from mosques upon coming out as transgender. With the establishment of this mosque, she rejoices, declaring it as “our mosque,” where they are fully accepted.
While Bangladesh formally recognized the third gender in 2013, transgender individuals continue to face societal challenges. They encounter discrimination in various aspects of life, including property ownership, marriage rights, employment, and education. Moreover, extremist groups actively oppose their inclusion in educational materials, perpetuating further marginalization.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
