Western liberalism – you must tolerate us; we will not tolerate you. More’s the pity! Where are we heading? Whom are we influenced by? When did we leave our roots and at what cost? Social conformity, globalization, fear of being marginalized, capitalist culture, or something else? Transgenderism has been a controversial discourse, since ever. This western ideology has been inculcated and cultivated in us so deeply that the brown culture/Asian culture – more specifically Pakistani culture – got muddled with the right and wrongdoings – both culturally and religiously.
Taking this argument ahead to the notion of Gender Dysphoria and Body Dysmorphic Disorder; two mental health conditions affecting one’s well-being in which there’s a feeling of uneasiness apropos of mismatch between the biological sex and a person’s social identity and taking out flaws in one’s body and appearance, respectively. The prevalence rate for these disorders is roughly 5.8% in Pakistan starting from the age of 12-13. Respectfully, Islam does not permit and promotes the idea of being unsatisfied with one’s gender. Some have misinterpreted the verses of the Quran, let’s say, Surah Ash-Shuraa, Verse 49-50, where Almighty Allah talked about blessing someone with either a daughter, a son, or even both, and if He wills can leave someone infertile. Another side of the picture has been presented by some modern jurists that the term ‘both’ means Allah combined both a male and a female into one i.e., transgender. However, this interpretation is not accepted and is strongly criticized by Muslim Scholars.

The question then arises is whether this particular community be banished from our society or do we have a better way out. Hadith – another source of enlightenment for Muslim Ummah – gives enough insight into this matter. It is strictly prohibited in the light of Sunnah to kill anyone who prays or is a believer of Allah but banishing people with nonconformity to their gender was practiced, commonly. Thus, there is no place for violence and hatred toward them. Instead, keeping in mind transgenderism as a mental health condition, a more insightful approach needs to be exercised.
From awareness campaigns (intended for spreading the dissimilarity between intersex and transgender) to creating a safe space for those who are truly suffering from a mental health condition, there are a lot of drudgeries to do. Lastly, print, electronic and digital media should act responsibly while disseminating information and in the narrative building. Instead of promoting movies like ‘Joyland’, the media necessities to join hands with mental health professionals for awareness purposes and to let people seek treatment.