Islamabad: The Islamic Ideological Council has declared the act of an individual changing their clearly defined gender as unlawful, stating that self-determination of gender is not permitted in Islam. According to Islamic teachings, a person’s gender is predetermined at birth.
A statement was issued following a meeting of the Islamic Ideological Council.
Chairman of the Council, Allama Raghib Naeemi, emphasized that it is unlawful for an individual to change their clearly defined gender. However, he stated that determining the gender of individuals with ambiguous or intersex traits is permissible after resolving the ambiguity.
Allama Raghib Naeemi further clarified that the term “intersex” should be used for individuals who are intersex, rather than referring to them as transgender.
He also stated that it is forbidden in Islam for a man to resemble a woman or for a woman to resemble a man. The self-determination of one’s gender is not allowed in Islam. According to Islamic teachings, each person’s gender is determined at birth. Identifying with a gender opposite to one’s birth gender based on internal feelings is in conflict with Islamic law.
The statement also highlighted that religious scholars emphasized that it is not permissible to expel or mistreat individuals born with physical or gender-related abnormalities. Parents should be urged to keep such individuals within the family and provide them with care and support.
