Source: telegram.com

Ijaz Ahmed, a WPI postdoctoral researcher and member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Fitchburg, wrote that he believes dialogue between faith leaders and members of the transgender community is necessary for better understanding.

He said violence and ill-treatment in any form toward any member of the LGBT community is prohibited by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad.

“In Islam, if a person is physically transgender and born with both male and female characteristics, then having gender changing treatment, such as hormonal therapy, is not against nature and is permitted within Islam. The goal of the treatment is to suppress one gender while enhancing the aspects of the other. It is important to note that this only affects some people,” he said.

“On the other hand, undergoing a sex change operation based on a perceived psychological need is considered against the will of God. Thus the issue would have to be resolved through psychological treatment rather than physical.”