Islam says people ‘cannot decide’ their gender: CII

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) declared it unlawful for individuals to change their apparent gender, stating that self-determination of one’s gender is not permitted in Islam.

According to Islamic teachings, an individual’s gender is determined at birth, and expressing an identity contrary to one’s birth gender based on inner feelings contradicts Shariah rulings.

The Council's declaration was issued following its meeting on Thursday. The Chairman of the CII, Allama Raghib Naeemi, emphasised that altering one's apparent gender is impermissible in Islam.

However, he clarified that resolving ambiguities in cases of unclear or indeterminate gender is allowed.

Allama Naeemi also recommended that the term "intersex" be used for individuals with neutral gender characteristics (Khunsa), rather than the term "transgender."

He further stated that it is unlawful for men to imitate women or for women to imitate men.

The statement underscored the importance of treating such individuals with dignity, noting that it is impermissible to expel those with congenital conditions or illnesses from their homes or subject them to mistreatment.

Parents, the scholars insisted, should be responsible for keeping such individuals within the family and ensuring their well-being.