Transgender Marriages Allowed in Pakistan Under New Fatwa

In the 'I never saw this coming' category...

By Shawn Price UPI


A new fatwa, or religious decree, by an influential group of Muslim clerics in Pakistan has declared transgenders can be allowed to marry, cannot be cut from family inheritance or denied the right to Muslim burial. However, it is a religious decree and not legally binding in Pakistan, where transgender people are frequently attacked. Photo by UPI Photo/Debbie Hill. | License Photo

LAHORE, Pakistan, June 27 (UPI) -- At least 50 clerics in Pakistan have issued a fatwa that allows marriage with a transgender person, a media report said on Monday.

The new religious decree by Tanzeem Ittehad-i-Ummat clerics, ruled a transgender person having "visible signs of being a male" is allowed to marry a woman or another transgender with "visible signs of being a female." Men are also allowed to marry transgenders who appear female.

But, the decree did draw a line, not allowing transgenders with "visible signs of both genders" to marry anyone.

The fatwa also concluded that transgender people could not be deprived of inheritance and parents who do so are "inviting the wrath of God". The clerics called upon the government to prosecute parents who take such actions.

It was also declared sinful to "humiliate, insult or tease" transgenders in any way, including denying them the right to be buried in Muslim ceremonies.

The decree by the influential religious group, though not legally binding, was a breathtaking change in tone for a country where transgenders are often physically attacked.

Gay marriage in any form remains punishable by life imprisonment in Pakistan, and a "third gender" is not recognized on government I.D. cards.

Transgender activists welcomed the fatwa, issued Sunday, and called on the government to make the decree binding federal law.

"This is the first time in history that Muslim clerics have raised their voices in support of the rights of transgender persons," activist Qamar Naseem said. "But we have to go further for transgender people and the country needs to introduce legislation on it."

Lord Janner's £1Million Legacy May Go To His 'Child Sex Abuse Victims'

Executors of Labour peer's will have set aside money to cover potential compensation claims  

By ANDREW YOUNG and MARTIN DELGADO FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

Probate records show that Janner left more than £2.1 million, around half of which has been frozen pending the outcome of legal claims by at least six of his alleged victims.

Lawyers acting for the family of the former Leicester MP, who died aged 87 last December, plan to contest the action in court.

If the abuse claims are found to be unproven, the frozen assets will be distributed according to his will, in which he left the bulk of his fortune to his three children. His wife Myra died in 1996.

Janner died two weeks after he was ruled unfit to stand trial on 22 counts of sex offences against nine boys between 1963 and 1988. A judge decided he was incapable of entering a plea due to his dementia.

A ‘trial of the facts’ – in which as jury is asked to examine evidence and decide whether the accused committed crimes – had been due to start in April. Although this process cannot now take place, the abuse allegations will still be aired in the civil courts.

A source close to Janner’s family said yesterday: ‘As his estate is being sued, a sum has been put aside and cannot be dissipated until the matter is settled.'

‘If it is resolved in the estate’s favour, then inheritance tax on the amount will have to be paid.’

The source added: ‘The claims of abuse will be strongly contested. The family are looking forward to the claimants being cross-examined in court.’

Money from the estate will be used to fight the case and inheritance tax will not be payable on the legal fees, the source said.

The bulk of Janner’s fortune came from his luxury flat in Golders Green, North London. Land Registry records reveal the apartment was sold for £2,035,000 just before his death.

Janner was Labour MP for Leicester North West and then Leicester West from 1970 until retiring in 1997, when he was made a life peer. He campaigned for Israeli and Jewish causes, as well as on women’s equality.


Lord Janner attends a reception to mark the 21st anniversary of the Commonwealth Jewish Council at St James's Palace with the Queen in 2003

Lawyer Liz Dux, who represents several of Janner’s alleged victims, said: ‘The estate is fully aware of its obligations not to distribute any part of the estate while the legal action remains outstanding.’

Janner’s will, signed in 2009, left £15,000 to each of his grandchildren, and £25,000 to his sister Lady Morris of Kenwood. There were also charitable donations of £5,000 each to the World Jewish Affairs Fund, the Commonwealth Jewish Council and Holocaust Educational Trust.

The bulk was left in trust for his three children – Daniel, Marion and Laura.

Janner’s family declined to comment.