In a first, Pakistan to send trans persons as Hajj volunteers

[Shahzaz ud din]

In a first, Pakistan to send trans persons as Hajj volunteers
Sehrish Wasif
Published: February 18, 2018
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Women face sexual harassment while performing Hajj. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the history of Pakistan, transgender persons will be part of a team of more than 150 boy scouts being sent to Saudi Arabia to serve as Khuddamul Hujjaj or volunteers during Hajj 2018, it is learnt.

“Efforts for sending transgender youth to Saudi Arabia to serve as Khuddamul Hujjaj are underway,” confirmed IPC Sindh Boys Scouts Commissioner Atif Amin Husain while talking to The Express Tribuneon Saturday.

Blue Veins, a transgender welfare organisation, is coordinating with the IPC in this initiative.
First transgender officer joins Philippine army reserves

“At least two to three transgender persons will be selected from each of the remaining three provinces for joining the scouting community that leaves for Saudi Arabia every year,” he said.

He said recently 40 transgender youth from Sindh were administered oath on joining the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association (PBSA) – a national scouting organisation and one of the largest volunteer forces in the country.

The transgender persons would be part of a team of more than 150 boy scouts, he said, adding that last year over a hundred boy scouts had been sent.

Explaining the process, Husain said, “The recruitment process for Khuddamul Hujjaj includes physical training and a test. After that, the PBSA sends a list of successful candidates to the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony for a final approval.”

This year the list would also contain names of transgender youth, he said.

Transgender community barred from Hajj, Umrah

Husain was of the view that by joining the PBSA, transgender youth would get social acceptance, attain confidence, feel secure and move forward.

Blue Veins Programme Coordinator Qamar Naseem said, “After the recruitment of 40 transgender persons in Sindh, we are planning recruitment processes in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.”

He said, “This can be a game changer and can significantly improve the social acceptance of transgender youth in our society.”

He termed the recruitment step a positive initiative that would help the transgender community in improving its image at local as well as regional level.


Read more: Hajj 2018 , Latest , Pakistan
IBO-ISPR

 

[Clutch]

It's a good move. They deserves the right to hajj as much as anyone else.

Transgender people should not be confused with homosexuality. Those are two very different things... One is bilogically inherited and other one is a choice.

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

It's a good move. They deserves the right to hajj as much as anyone else.

Transgender people should not be confused with homosexuality. Those are two very different things... One is bilogically inherited and other one is a choice.

Not really. Both are mutations. Both should be considered the same. You can't "inherit" being a transgender. Call a spade a spade

 

[24 Hours]

In a first, Pakistan to send trans persons as Hajj volunteers
Sehrish Wasif
Published: February 18, 2018
SHARE TWEET EMAIL

Women face sexual harassment while performing Hajj. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the history of Pakistan, transgender persons will be part of a team of more than 150 boy scouts being sent to Saudi Arabia to serve as Khuddamul Hujjaj or volunteers during Hajj 2018, it is learnt.

“Efforts for sending transgender youth to Saudi Arabia to serve as Khuddamul Hujjaj are underway,” confirmed IPC Sindh Boys Scouts Commissioner Atif Amin Husain while talking to The Express Tribuneon Saturday.

Blue Veins, a transgender welfare organisation, is coordinating with the IPC in this initiative.
First transgender officer joins Philippine army reserves

“At least two to three transgender persons will be selected from each of the remaining three provinces for joining the scouting community that leaves for Saudi Arabia every year,” he said.

He said recently 40 transgender youth from Sindh were administered oath on joining the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association (PBSA) – a national scouting organisation and one of the largest volunteer forces in the country.

The transgender persons would be part of a team of more than 150 boy scouts, he said, adding that last year over a hundred boy scouts had been sent.

Explaining the process, Husain said, “The recruitment process for Khuddamul Hujjaj includes physical training and a test. After that, the PBSA sends a list of successful candidates to the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony for a final approval.”

This year the list would also contain names of transgender youth, he said.

Transgender community barred from Hajj, Umrah

Husain was of the view that by joining the PBSA, transgender youth would get social acceptance, attain confidence, feel secure and move forward.

Blue Veins Programme Coordinator Qamar Naseem said, “After the recruitment of 40 transgender persons in Sindh, we are planning recruitment processes in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.”

He said, “This can be a game changer and can significantly improve the social acceptance of transgender youth in our society.”

He termed the recruitment step a positive initiative that would help the transgender community in improving its image at local as well as regional level.


Read more: Hajj 2018 , Latest , Pakistan
IBO-ISPR

A bit too progressive in my opinion.

 

[Divergent]

Not really. Both are mutations. Both should be considered the same. You can't "inherit" being a transgender. Call a spade a spade

You can’t inherit it but one is biological defect and not in ones control whereas the other is a choice irrespective of societal influence.

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

You can’t inherit it but one is biological defect and not in ones control whereas the other is a choice irrespective of societal influence.

Can you confirm the second part ? Just because something might not have the most obvious physical manifestation does not mean it is a choice. I'm not out here defending or flaming either but both should be treated the same.

 

[Divergent]

Can you confirm the second part ? Just because something might not have the most obvious physical manifestation does not mean it is a choice. I'm not out here defending or flaming either but both should be treated the same.

No both can’t be treated the same, one may be born with absolutely perfect genetics, clear differentiation between Male and female organs - categorising it under the ‘female’ or ‘male’ Species. They’re physically and genetically engineered to perform their desired duties with the opposite gender, however in some instances societal or mental influence can affect their choice, in some rare instances hormonal imbalance can also affect behaviour.

The other is a medical condition, individuals who’s sexuality is ambiguous due to genetic malfunction. Something beyond their control.

 

[Trango Towers]

It's a good move. They deserves the right to hajj as much as anyone else.

Transgender people should not be confused with homosexuality. Those are two very different things... One is bilogically inherited and other one is a choice.

Biologically transg3nder where there is confusion on sex I have no issues with but men dressed as women well that will be a big problem even for the Saudis

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

No both can’t be treated the same, one may be born with absolutely perfect genetics, clear differentiation between Male and female organs - categorising it under the ‘female’ or ‘male’ Species. They’re physically and genetically engineered to perform their desired duties with the opposite gender, however in some instances societal or mental influence can affect their choice, in some rare instances hormonal imbalance can also affect behaviour.

The other is a medical condition, individuals who’s sexuality is ambiguous due to genetic malfunction. Something beyond their control.

But both are still regarded as disorders , yes ?

 

[Divergent]

But both are still regarded as disorders , yes ?

A natural vs an unatural one if correctly termed.

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

A natural vs an unatural one if correctly termed.

Idk. Sickness and disorders of any sort are considered natural as far as I'm aware. Both have been noted to exist for thousands of years long before societal pressures were even a thing. It just seems weird why anyone would prefer to do something even knowing that it will get them killed.

 

[Ray-of-Hope]

But both are still regarded as disorders , yes ?

This reminded me of a Pakistani couple in Essex. They sent their gay son to Makkah because they saw that as a last resort to get their "disordered son cured" because their trip to Pakistan, finding him the most beautiful bride etc didn't help. He went to Makkah, came back to the UK: with a Palestinian gay man whose parents sent him to Makkah for the same reason.

A moment of comedy and tragedy in one.

 

[CriticalThought]

It's a good move. They deserves the right to hajj as much as anyone else.

Transgender people should not be confused with homosexuality. Those are two very different things... One is bilogically inherited and other one is a choice.

You can’t inherit it but one is biological defect and not in ones control whereas the other is a choice irrespective of societal influence.

No both can’t be treated the same, one may be born with absolutely perfect genetics, clear differentiation between Male and female organs - categorising it under the ‘female’ or ‘male’ Species. They’re physically and genetically engineered to perform their desired duties with the opposite gender, however in some instances societal or mental influence can affect their choice, in some rare instances hormonal imbalance can also affect behaviour.

The other is a medical condition, individuals who’s sexuality is ambiguous due to genetic malfunction. Something beyond their control.

Islam DOES NOT recognize any such 'disorders'. If someone has a defect, they are required to choose the gender that is most pertinent for their condition. If they are equally possible, then on or the other gender must be chosen and the rest of the life is spent accordingly. They are either a male or a female. No such thing as transgender.

Transgender is an 'innovation' that allows for 'gender fluidity', and arbitrary selection of gender based on personal choice rather than physical ability. This is a disgusting practice. In Islam, if someone is unable to fulfil the marital right of their partner, it is HARAM for them to marry at all. Whereas 'transgender' allows for homosexual intercourse.

This is a total mockery of Islam and even basic human decency.

 

[El Sidd]

Its a very welcome step. The third gender stigma is something inhuman within us.

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

This reminded me of a Pakistani couple in Essex. They sent their gay son to Makkah because they saw that as a last resort to get their "disordered son cured" because their trip to Pakistan, finding him the most beautiful bride etc didn't help. He went to Makkah, came back to the UK: with a Palestinian gay man whose parents sent him to Makkah for the same reason.

A moment of comedy and tragedy in one.

That is movie material.