CII terms self-perceived gender identity 'un-Islamic'

Council says several rules framed in continuation of Transgender Act are incompatible with Shariah

ISLAMABAD:

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) termed “self-perceived identity” un-Islamic and declared on Wednesday that the rules framed in continuation of the Transgender Act contained several provisions and clauses that were incompatible with Shariah.

The CII expressed concerns over the social and legal problems faced by intersex and transgender persons and said the protection and provision of basic human rights of intersex and transgender persons should be ensured.

Addressing a press conference after a two-day meeting, CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz said that the meeting reviewed the Transgender Persons (Rights of Protection) Rules in detail and took sense of all stakeholders on that matter.

After reviewing these rules in detail [the CII] termed the ‘self-perceived identity’ un-Islamic. These rules, he added, were framed in continuation of the Transgender Act and contained several provisions and clauses which were not compatible with Shariah.

During the meeting, he said, the CII also examined the amendment bills presented by Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed and Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari and suggested some amendments to them.

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The CII members passed a resolution in connection with the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and hailed the decision of the United Nations to observe it on March 15 annually as “a commendable initiative”.

The resolution warned of serious threats to the world peace, as certain elements in the West and some other countries were engaged in nefarious designs to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred towards Islam and Muslims.

It urged all the countries and international civil society organisations to work for peace, tolerance and human relations, expressing the hope that the continuous, integrated and comprehensive measures would yield positive results.

The CII also expressed its willingness to be part of any struggle against Islamophobia and assured that it would play its role in creating an environment of peace and harmony so that the creations of Almighty Allah could live a life of contentment and peace.

In a bid to review all aspects of the issues pertaining to the intersex and transgender community, the CII meeting was also attended by other renowned religious scholars, representatives of the transgender community, doctors, legal and social experts, and civil society organisations.

Representatives of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Ministry of Human Rights also participated in the meeting.