The Story of Transwomen Walking the Light Path in Search of God

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

A number of people join a prayer at the Al Fatah Waria Islamic Boarding School, Jagalan Village, Banguntapan District, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, Friday (22/7/2022) night.

The chanting of the holy Quran was heard from the Waria Al Fatah Islamic boarding school on Friday (22/7/2022). In this place, a number of people sat across from each other and read Surah Yasin. Some of them are women and others are transwomen.

That night, the Waria Al Fatah boarding school held a mujahadah (surrender-to-God ritual) with women who lived around the boarding school. A joint prayer was held on the terrace of the boarding school in Jagalan Village, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region.

Also read:

> For Trans Women’s Religious Right

> Gender-based Violence

A number of transwomen without awkwardness participated in reading the holy verses of the Quran, reciting Asmaul Husna or the names of Allah, and praying together.

Erni Menyan (66) was seen wearing a purple overall dress and a black headscarf. The transgender from Indramayu Regency, West Java, read Surah Yasin with the mujahadah congregation.

Now, she can read the Quran fluently. The woman, who works as pengamen (busker), knows how to pray and she sometimes fasts on Mondays and Thursdays.

Santriwati Erni has been active in such activities since the Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school was established. Now, she can read the Quran fluently. The woman, who works as pengamen (busker), knows how to pray and she sometimes fasts on Mondays and Thursdays.

“When praying, I wear men's clothes. When singing on the street, I wear girl's clothes. If I pray wearing a girl's clothes, I don't feel comfortable," said Erni, who lives in Maguwoharjo, Sleman regency.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A number of transgender Christians take part in the worship service of the Prayer Fellowship in the Way of God's Light at a hotel in Yogyakarta, Friday (22/7/2022).

The leader of the Alfatah Waria Islamic boarding school Al Fatah, Shinta Ratri (60), explained that the establishment of the boarding school began with a joint prayer following an earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006. The joint prayer was held by the transwomen community and joined by interfaith leaders, including Kiai Haji Hamrolie Harun. "We were invited to regular recitations with Pak Kiai Hamrolie," he said.

The Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school was formally established in 2008. Apart from being a place to study religion, the boarding school also provides a safe space for transwomen to worship. "Waria [transwomen] friends are not comfortable when accessing public-worship places," said Shinta. The Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school has routine activities, including learning to read the Quran and prayer procedures. The boarding school also regularly holds skills training for transwomen. Now, as many as 60 transwomen have become members of the boarding school. Most of them live outside the boarding school with various jobs, such as buskers, salon workers and scavengers.

MUCHAMAD ZAID WAHYUDI

One of the activists of the Yogyakarta Al Fatah Transgender Islamic Boarding School, Rully Mallay, speaks during an online discussion on Zakat for Dhuafa Transwomen, Friday (8/5/2021).

In 2016, the establishment of the Al Fatah Waria Islamic Boarding School was rejected by a religious organization in the area. Members of the organization visited the boarding school to deliver their rejection. Thanks to the support of a number of parties, the Islamic boarding school was able to continue its activities.

In fact, the Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school now has good relations with local residents. Rosidah (50), a resident around the Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school, did not object to the existence of the Islamic boarding school. After learning the activities at the boarding school, Rosidah and several other mothers followed the mujahadah ritual with transwomen at the boarding school. "God willing, there will be no problems. We just want to worship," he said.

In addition to leading the Al Fatah Waria Islamic boarding school, Shinta Ratri initiated religious activities for transwomen in Yogyakarta who are Christian and Catholic. The Fellowship of Prayer for the Way of the Light of God was latter established for Christian and Catholic transwomen.

According to Ratna, the group was formed because there were no spiritual-guidance activities for Christian and Catholic transwomen in Yogyakarta.

The leader of the Fellowship Prayer for the Way of the Light of God, Ratna Setianingsih (53), said the prayer fellowship was formed on 23 April, 2021. According to Ratna, the group was formed because there were no spiritual-guidance activities for Christian and Catholic transwomen in Yogyakarta.

Various ethnicities and races

In Surabaya, the transwomen community has a prayer group for Christians and a Quran recital group for Muslims. However, the journey of transwomen's religious life is full of challenges.

The house on Jalan Ngagel Rejo, Surabaya, does not look like a place of worship. The terrace of the house is rented out for a cosmetics shop and the garage is used for a coffee shop. There are only a few paths to enter and leave the house.

The owner of the house, Handayani (68), said during the COVID-19 pandemic, worship was stopped so as not to trigger crowds that could become a source of transmission. In the last three months, worship has resumed again. “In a month, a meeting is held on Friday night. Before the pandemic, meetings were held twice a month," said Handayani, who used to play in ludruk, a traditional theater, in Surabaya.

Handayani is a transwoman who initiated religious activities for the group in Surabaya. In 1994, she founded the Peaceful and Holy Life Prayer Fellowship consisting of women from various ethnic groups or races. There are Chinese, Javanese, Manadonese and Sundanese. “In the past, there were 75 members. Now there are only 35 people. Many transwomen are elderly and have died,” said Handayani, at her home, on Thursday (21/7). The transwoman community worship was led by Pastor Yoni. In the past, he was the only pastor who wanted to serve the transwomen's prayer group. Over time, many pastors were willing to serve the worship.

SANGGAR SEROJA UNTUK KOMPAS

Sanggar Seroja and the Queer Language Club in West Jakarta are raising donations for transgender women to be able to survive during the corona pandemic.

Handayani said religious worship for transwomen is now wide open. However, many transwomen are not comfortable coming to church because they have to mingle with the general public. They are worried about being ostracized and being the subject of gossip due to stigmatization. Because of that, she has organized special prayer and worship fellowships for transwomen for almost 28 years.

According to Shinta, religion is a spiritual need for anyone, including transwomen. Therefore, they have the right to worship according to their respective beliefs. Spiritual urges must be fulfilled because they can be reassuring. "Whatever the religion, when people have strong faith, they have a grip," said Shinta.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.