First madrassah for trans people set up in city

Founder Guro Shama Jan says she is influenced by Maulana Tariq Jameel

LAHORE:

After Islamabad, the first madrassah for transgenders has been established in Lahore where they are being introduced to the teachings of the Holy Quran and religion. A large number of transgenders from different regions come here to learn the Quran.

Guro Shama Jan, who teaches the Holy Quran to the transgenders, said that she was influenced by Maulana Tariq Jameel and was attracted to the service of religion. Guro Shama Jan, a resident of Johar Town, Lahore, has started a series of religious education for transgenders at her residence.

Initially, the number of transgenders studying the Quran is more than a dozen, but their number will increase many times during Ramazan.

Shama Jan says that she was attached to religion from her childhood, but when her own family left her and society also looked at her with hatred, she also turned away from religion. She said that she wanted to go to the mosque and madrassah for prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran, but the teachers there did not allow her while the common people used to make fun of her. Some would even ask why you have come to the mosque. Will you spoil the prayers of others also?

Speaking with tears welling up in her eyes, Shama Jan said, “I am very much impressed by Maulana Tariq Jameel. He has shown the way of forgiveness to sinners like us. He invites all towards religion.”

That is why she has now established the first madrassah inside her house. The services of a Qari Sahib have also been obtained here who gives them other basic teachings of the religion including prayers and fasting.

Read: Transpersons protest against rising violence

The methods of Wudu and Ghusl, good behaviour towards others, good deeds and tolerance is explained and taught. Before that, a religious madrassah for the transgenders was set up by Anusha Tahir Butt, a woman working for the welfare of the transgender community.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Anusha Tahir Butt said that at present various NGOs were working for the welfare of the transgenders, but along with these initiatives, she had focused on the religious education of the community. One of the main reasons of their involvement in such activities as dancing and begging was that they had not been given any opportunity to get religious education.

Anusha Tahir Butt says that initially about a dozen transgenders came here to study the Holy Quran and to study religion, and their number would increase in Ramazan. Meals are also provided for those receiving religious education.