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Brilio.net/en - Indonesia may be losing its name as a tolerant and open minded Islamic country. With recent censorships of traditional Indonesian dresses at the Miss Indonesia pageant to the banning on gay emojis on social media apps, it seems as if if the government is cracking its traditional and frankly regressive whip, on the people.
In Yogyakarta this past week, local authorities of the Kotagede district decided to shut down the Islamic Al-Fatah School for transgender students. It has further banned any religious activity happening on the premise.
We decided to close down the transgender Islamic school considering security, order and public comfort issues, Banguntapan sub district chief Jati Bayu Broto told journalists at his office on Thursday.
The decision was reached after deliberations between both parties, i.e. Al-Fatah members, security officers, local officials, the Yogyakarta Islamic Jihad Front (FJI) and local people. The closing is under the pretense of traffic that it caused in the cramped residential area. Whenever there are activities, motorcycles are parked on the street and disturb the public," Jati said. Furthermore, there were claims that there might have been alcohol
Members of the FIH decided to pay the school a visit on February 19th and unfortunately for the transgender women who found a haven at the school, decided it was time to shut it. According to the lawyers of the school, the meeting wasnt so much as a discussion but a time used to judge the Warias, or transgender as they are known.
Warias is a mix of the Indonesian words for wanita (woman) and pria (man). For Waria it is difficult to practice their faith as Islam has strict rules about men and women praying together, and shuns men dressing as women. While Javanese culture is known for openness, many Muslims disapprove of the warias who still want to practice Islam.
FJI troop commander Darohman expressed gratitude that FJI's objection against Al-Fatah was supported by the locals, and even said: The Islamic school may re-open but the transgenders must show repentance.
(brl/tis)
