Islamic Ideology Council Declares Gender Transition Unlawful, Proposes ‘Intersex’ for Khunsa Individuals

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has ruled that transitioning from one’s assigned birth gender is un-Islamic and impermissible. Following a council meeting, Chairman Allama Raghib Naeemi stated that while addressing ambiguities in unclear gender identification is allowed, altering a clear and assigned gender contradicts Islamic principles.

Key Clarifications and Recommendations

• The council proposed using the term “intersex” instead of “transgender” to describe individuals identified as Khunsa.
• Allama Naeemi emphasized that self-declaring a gender contrary to one’s biological identity is inconsistent with Sharia.
• Parents are urged to ensure such individuals remain integrated into the family and are treated with dignity and care.

The council strictly condemned violence or exclusion of individuals born with biological or medical conditions. Scholars stressed that society must adopt a compassionate and inclusive approach toward these individuals.

The council highlighted that creating a distinction between sex and gender as separate concepts is not aligned with Islamic teachings. It further recommended that the government legislate on these issues in accordance with Sharia principles.

This declaration comes amidst growing debates in Pakistan over gender identity and the rights of transgender and intersex individuals, reflecting the council’s attempt to align these discussions with Islamic values.