Transgendered Muslims find a place to pray

Transgendered Muslims find a place to pray

Mariani who set up the Islamic prayer school for 'waria'

Mariani set up the Islamic prayer school for Waria

Transgendered Indonesian Muslims performing as street singers in Yokyakarta

Many Waria make a living by singing and dancing in the street

Listen Listen to Lucy Williamson's report about a special Koran class (4 mins 1 sec)

Islam in Indonesia is renowned as being broadly tolerant and inclusive.

It is a brand of Islam where local cultural traditions seep into religious ritual, in a country where veiling is optional, and nightclubs exist alongside mosques.

However, one group has never found acceptance within mainstream Islamic communities: Indonesia's transgendered Muslims, known as Waria.

Now, a special Koran class has been set up in the Javanese city of Yogyakarta where they can pray freely.

The BBC's Indonesia correspondent, Lucy Williamson, has been to visit.

First broadcast 8 January 2009

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