A mosque built by a transgender person raises questions about faith and belonging in Pakistan

August 15, 2026

Rajab Ali, a 46-year-old transgender man in Pakistan's Punjab province, invested his entire life savings of approximately $21,000 to construct a mosque where his community could worship without gender-based discrimination. Despite Pakistan's 2018 Transgender Persons Act granting equal access to public spaces including religious sites, Ali has faced severe harassment from neighbors who refuse to pray in a mosque built by a transgender person and have stolen property from the building. His situation reflects broader challenges facing Pakistan's transgender population, as conservative backlash led to a 2023 court ruling that weakened transgender protections, arguing self-perceived gender identity contradicts Islamic principles.

Who is affected

Rajab Ali, the 46-year-old transgender man who built the mosque
Pakistan's Khawaja Sira (transgender) community, officially recorded at 20,331 people in 2023 (though likely undercounted)
Transgender people attempting to access mosques, churches, and other places of worship throughout Pakistan
Transgender individuals seeking healthcare services at government hospitals
Transgender rights activists like Zanaya Chaudhry of the Khawaja Sira Society
Community members in Okara district who oppose or support the mosque
Transgender people facing employment discrimination (34% unemployment rate found in one Islamabad study)

What action is being taken

Rajab Ali is attempting to lead prayers at the mosque he completed
Neighbors are harassing Ali, stealing items from the mosque (motor parts, water taps, fans), and sending women to confront him
Some community members are questioning Ali's presence when he tries to lead prayers
Transgender rights activists like Zanaya Chaudhry are advocating for the community
Researchers from the University of Central Punjab and University of Malaysia are documenting cases of exclusion and harassment at religious sites

Why it matters

This situation illustrates the precarious state of transgender rights in Pakistan despite legal protections. The 2018 Transgender Persons Act promised equal access to public spaces, but the 2023 court ruling that struck down key provisions has created a legal grey zone, emboldening discrimination. The case highlights how transgender individuals face compound discrimination based on both identity and livelihood, with only 40.15% literacy rates compared to 60% nationally, making many unaware of their legal rights. The harassment Ali experiences—despite building a mosque with his own savings—demonstrates how even sincere religious devotion and community contribution cannot shield transgender people from social exclusion, affecting their ability to access basic rights including worship, employment, healthcare, and education.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices