Daily Times

Wearing thobe, a long white cloak and Guthra, a headscarf like traditional Arab clothing, Farooq is among those courageous transpersons who always guide their community for changing their lifestyles and doing some work instead of begging. But despite that he is always mocked and harassed by the people because of his gender identity.

It takes a lot of strength for transpersons to come to terms with who they are. They are too frequently targeted for violence and abuse because of their gender identity or presentation. People routinely harass them makes their life even more difficult. Very few people who have understanding and knowledge about difficulties of trans people are polite enough and feel sympathy or pity towards them but never do anything helpful for them.

There are some transgender persons who are brave enough to make their way to the mainstream, achieve their goals and prove that they are as capable as other citizens and thus breaking the stereotype.

Farooq is among those who are struggling for their community. He is not dancing or begging. He is associated with stall of sugarcane juice and often wanders busiest places with his brother for the purpose of inviting transpersons for Islamic lectures.

At a commercial market Rawalpindi I came across a group of transgender people headed by a person wearing Arab traditional Islamic dress and have beard like a man .He was advising them to attend a sermon and most of Trans people, who were in full makeup and decorative dresses also promised him that they would surely come at a particular place.

When I approached I listen that he was guiding them with Quranic verses and persuading them for leaving the occupation of beggary and doing something other than that for meeting their expenses.

On a question he told that he is learning Quran Majeed and also trying to guide other transpersons in this context.

He opined that ignorance and lack of understanding about transgender persons and among them needs to be changed as soon as possible, and, he further continued, “It can only be done by spreading awareness among Transgender public about their rights and abilities and giving proper education and jobs to them”.

About new law passed for their rights Farooq was of the view that the recently passed law is only in papers and most of transgender persons even don’t have any knowledge about this law including me.

We found the transgender are ignored in every walk of life including, education and not only the society, but their families are not accepting them as their family members. The most difficult part is convincing families and facing the society that is not ready to accept them as equal citizens. Being disowned by their own families and harsh treatments from other people in society transgender are residing in a one are two room rented accommodation in oppressed condition.

Though the new law explicitly bans any discrimination against transgender citizens and it guarantees transgender citizens their right to but many of them even unaware of the law.

Some of the transgender activists have very high hopes from the legislation passed to ensure that they can live their lives with dignity and respect. But unfortunately the rules of business for the implementation of the law could not be formulated even after lapse of more than a year.

In this backdrop Syeda Viqar un Nisa Hashmi, Commissioner for Transgender and Children/ Focal Person/ Hon. Associate Advisor, Wafaqi Mohtasib said that the rules are of foremost importance in the implementation of law, their formulation must have been taken up at the earliest.

Though, she maintained, “delayed, but I am glad it has been taken by the Ministry of human rights now and involved transgender activist in the process”.

She said that it is a huge step forward for transgender rights and hope to have good results.