This mosque north of the Bangladesh capital offers sanctuary to transgender community

The Bangladesh government’s 2013 move to recognise transgender people as belonging to the 'third gender' has paved the way for their greater participation in various spheres of society.

It is a single-room shed with tin-clad walls and roof.

Having an inclusive environment not only increases engagement and innovation but also goes a long way to create a sense of belonging. In Bangladesh, the transgender community has found solace and acceptance in a newly established mosque amid all the entrenched prejudice and discrimination.

Situated near Mymensingh, north of the capital, Dhaka, along the banks of the Brahmaputra, the mosque—a single-room shed with tin-clad walls and roof—is more than a place of worship. It is a sanctuary for transgender people to practise their faith without fear of rejection or ridicule.

The initiative was born out of necessity after members of the community were systematically excluded from established congregations, prompting the government to step in and allocate land for the construction of the mosque.

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The mosque is situated near Mymensingh, north of the capital, Dhaka.

Community leader Joyita Tonu, in a poignant address to the congregation, emphasised the significance of the moment. “From now on, no one can deny a transgender from praying in our mosque,” Tonu was quoted as saying by DW News.

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This landmark gesture comes amid incremental progress in legal and political recognition for transgender people in Bangladesh. Since 2013, the government has recognised members of the community as belonging to the “third gender”, paving the way for their greater participation in various spheres of society.

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Recent protests against the inclusion of transgender individuals in school textbooks underscore their ongoing struggle for societal integration and acknowledgment in Bangladesh.

An Instagram user wrote, “Funny how the people of god who should be full of love would prevent other people from praying. At least they’re still faithful and want to pray. Let them.” Another user said, “What a confused world.”

The inauguration of the mosque stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of Bangladesh’s transgender community.

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