A mosque built by a transgender person raises questions about faith and belonging in Pakistan
A mosque built by a transgender person raises questions about faith and belonging in Pakistan
A mosque built by a transgender person raises questions about faith and belonging in Pakistan
A transgender man in Pakistan built a mosque hoping it would offer an inclusive space for worship. Instead, he faces harassment from neighbors amid growing attacks on the trans community.
When 46-year-old Rajab Ali, a transgender man, spent his life savings to build a mosque for his local community in Okara district of the Punjab province in Pakistan, he hoped it would bring goodwill and allow people to pray there without gender discrimination. Now that it is complete, however, his neighbors are harassing him for praying in it because he is transgender, known in Pakistan as Khawaja Sira (third gender), a community that has come under renewed attack in Pakistan.