Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), stated on Thursday that Islam prohibits sex reassignment surgeries for individuals with clearly defined biological sexes.
During a meeting co-hosted with the Birth Defect Foundation, Dr. Naeemi specified that surgical interventions might be permissible for those with ambiguous biological sexes to address medical concerns.
The CII Chairman further emphasized that Islam forbids individuals from adopting or displaying the physical traits or appearances of the opposite sex.
Additionally, Dr. Naeemi advised against using the term ‘transgender,’ recommending ‘intersex’ as a more appropriate designation. He explained that ‘transgender’ refers to individuals who, despite having a clear biological sex, identify with the opposite sex based on their internal feelings.
“Islam does not recognize self-perceived gender identities, as Almighty Allah naturally predetermines these,” Dr. Naeemi declared.
He also highlighted that altering one’s sexual identity based on internal feelings contravenes Sharia law and is often linked to a psychological condition known as ‘gender dysphoria,’ which should be addressed therapeutically.
The meeting also featured speeches from Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, former CII Chairman Dr. Qibla Ayaz, and Allama Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi. They advocated for the compassionate treatment of children with birth defects, urging that they not be ostracized or subjected to abuse.
The speakers reiterated the Islamic prohibition against adopting the physical characteristics of the opposite sex, noting such actions as sinful and underscoring the need for public awareness on the issue.
Dr. Ansar Javed, Chairman of the Birth Defect Foundation, and Tahir Javed Chaudhry discussed various birth defects and diseases. They clarified the distinction between ‘transgender’ and ‘intersex’ identities, explaining that while transgender individuals are generally healthy but may experience gender dysphoria, intersex individuals have congenital conditions that might be surgically correctable.
