GEORGE TOWN, Sept 26 — ‘Mukhannath’ or transgender individuals should change their appearance if they want to be in mosques or surau so that they do not look odd and avoid uncomfortable feelings among other worshippers.

Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor opined that there was no other way for these individuals to be in houses of worship, unless they change their appearance.

"We are very sympathetic to this group and hope that they are accepted by the general public. However, they should also make an effort to adapt to the culture and norms of regular society,” he said in a statement today.

He was commenting on the statement by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary that the government was looking into emulating Perlis in banning transgender individuals from entering mosques in the Federal Territories.

Ahmad Marzuk said Perlis’ decision was appropriate to maintain the sanctity of mosques and avoid confusion among the community.

Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Salim said transgender individuals have actually wronged themselves by choosing to practice a lifestyle that was contrary to the laws of nature and religion, adding that such action would cause them to face various challenges in life, especially when interacting with others.

He also urged State Islamic Religious Departments as well as mosque and surau administrations to play their roles in dealing with the issue.

"The mosque administration should advise the group gently and prudently so that they respect the sanctity of the Islamic houses of worship with appropriate attire and no longer be looked down upon and considered strange,” he said.

He added that if the group was still persistent, the mosque management should be firm in preventing them from entering the premises because it involved public interest.

"It is up to the group to choose what they think is good for themselves,” he said. — Bernama