Transsexual's Fight for Education Pits Egypt Law Against Islam
By Daniel Williams

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aUUKU1wrMZFU&refer=home

March 17 (Bloomberg) -- To the Egyptian government, to her doctors, and especially to herself, Sally Mursi is a woman. To al-Azhar University, the most prestigious Islamic school in Egypt and the Middle East, she's a man.

Twenty-one years ago, Mursi, 43, went through a sex-change operation as she was about to enter her fourth year at al-Azhar's medical school, where classes are segregated by gender under Muslim traditions of piety. Al-Azhar officials expelled her, saying she couldn't go to the men's classes because she was impersonating a woman -- or to the women's classes because she was actually a man.

Since then, al-Azhar has refused to abide by repeated court orders to readmit Mursi, filing appeals. The contest has become a battle between civil law and religious fiat, reflecting conflicting attitudes about sexuality in an increasingly pious country.

Quote from: Zythyra on March 17, 2009, 10:42:48 AM
Transsexual's Fight for Education Pits Egypt Law Against Islam
By Daniel Williams

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aUUKU1wrMZFU&refer=home

March 17 (Bloomberg) -- To the Egyptian government, to her doctors, and especially to herself, Sally Mursi is a woman. To al-Azhar University, the most prestigious Islamic school in Egypt and the Middle East, she's a man.

Twenty-one years ago, Mursi, 43, went through a sex-change operation as she was about to enter her fourth year at al-Azhar's medical school, where classes are segregated by gender under Muslim traditions of piety. Al-Azhar officials expelled her, saying she couldn't go to the men's classes because she was impersonating a woman -- or to the women's classes because she was actually a man.

Since then, al-Azhar has refused to abide by repeated court orders to readmit Mursi, filing appeals. The contest has become a battle between civil law and religious fiat, reflecting conflicting attitudes about sexuality in an increasingly pious country.

Firstly may I say I totally disagree with al-Azhar on this issue. I'm of the opinion that is to Allah and Allah alone to judge us. Allah knows our gender better than we do ourselves, does he wish us to live a deceitful lie? I personally think not.

As regards Islam and Ts/Tg issues there are numerous support and otherwise groups in North America and the UK that I know of.

Al-Fatiha in the US, Salaam in Canada and Imaan in the UK are all in theory LGBTQI friendly although in my personal experience Imaan is very South Asian male dominated...

For those of us who are MTF, there is Safra Project here in the UK which is open to transwomen AFAIK and DOLI (Daughters of Lut Initiative) which is also transwomen accepting. DOLI is an inter-abrahamic faith group though AFAIK mainly Muslim and Jewish.

Safra Project is small and meets once a month in London as does DOLI. As regards Imaan one can check their website for info, I'm no longer a member myself and have lost touch.

Of course this would be a non issue if the classes were coed.  Just saying.

Quote from: tekla on March 17, 2009, 12:17:47 PM
Of course this would be a non issue if the classes were coed.  Just saying.

I agree.

At the last Imaan (LGBTQI Muslims) General Conference there was an opportunity for a mixed prayer led by a woman. As far as I remember only five people turned up, two women, two men and one transgendered person. There is great resistance sadly to such things, witness the protests against Amina Wadud.

Another thing to bear in mind is that according to certain Muslims transexuals break another Muslim's Wudu by touching either sex. This in particular offends me.

Oh the entire deal offends me.  Not just Islam, all of them.

Quote from: tekla on March 17, 2009, 02:56:48 PM
Oh the entire deal offends me.  Not just Islam, all of them.

Sorry, don't understand What deal?

That religion/higher power/worship/pray/know god deal.

Quote from: tekla on March 17, 2009, 06:49:00 PM
That religion/higher power/worship/pray/know god deal.

Each to their opinion...

Each to their opinion...

Down by law with that, its only opinion.

Maybe it's because you're American but I don't understand what you are saying or trying to say.

Just say it straight...