In prayer halls or mosques, you’d noticed there are separated areas for male and female Muslims to safely perform their prayers. A video has been circulating on social media that showed what appears to be a female muslim performing a prayer together with a group of men in the same space – which is not allowed in Islam.
The video sparked controversy with many netizens wondering how the woman was even allowed to enter the men’s area. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) became aware of the controversial post and released a statement to address the situation.
In a statement posted on their official Facebook page yesterday (Wednesday, 4th October), JAKIM explained that the group in the video were those within the LGBTQ+ community where most the participants were volunteered transgender individuals, including the woman in the purple hijab.
The group was said to be taking part of a repentance and rehabilitation program at Cameron Highlands, Pahang organised by JAKIM, International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA), the Persatuan Insaf Pahang NGO (Non-governmental organisation) and other local agencies and institutions.
As for the alleged co-ed congregational prayer, JAKIM wrote that it was allowed since the trans women among the participants were still assigned “male” at birth. “The process of educating and rehabilitating will take some time and effort, let us all pray for them together,” the federal agency wrote.
Netizens thanked JAKIM for giving an explanation regarding the viral post while many condemned the person video recording the participants and posted it online to spread hate and slander. Unfortunately, there is no information on where and when the original video was posted or what was the actual motive of sharing the private program.
Watch the full video below:
JAKIM perjelas video tular jemaah lelaki, wanita solat bercampur saf
04 Oktober 2023, 6:17pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) hari ini menjelaskan dakwaan berlaku percampuran jemaah lelaki dan wanita ketika menunaikan solat berjemaah dalam program Kem… pic.twitter.com/Qs04NV8NKW
— MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) October 4, 2023
