Intersex M'sian flamed for performing pilgrimage in Mecca as a woman

Nur Sajat was born a hermaphrodite but has chosen to identify as a woman.

Syahindah Ishak | February 04, 2020, 10:53 PM

A Malaysian cosmetics entrepreneur, Nur Sajat, 34, recently made headlines when pictures and videos of her performing the Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca went viral online.

Videos and pictures leaked online

On Sunday, Feb. 2, videos and pictures of Sajat in Mecca, which was posted on her private Instagram account, leaked online.

Here are some of them:

A copy of her passport also circulated online showing pictures with the name 'Muhammad Sajjad Kamaruz Zaman'.

The passport also states her gender as male.

https://twitter.com/msxraa/status/1224412593898418176

According to New Straits Times, Sajat, whose real name is Muhammad Sajad Kamaruzzaman, was born a hermaphrodite, but has chosen to identify as a woman.

People who have intersex conditions have anatomy that is not considered typically male or female.

Muslims angered

Many Muslims criticised Sajat for donning the hijab and performing her pilgrimage as a woman, when her identity is stated as a man.

However, there were a few who were ready to defend her, saying that Sajat should not be judged for her choices.

Action taken against her

Minister in Malaysia's Prime Minister’s Department, Mujahid Yusof held a meeting with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on Feb. 3 to discuss Sajat's controversial actions.

Mujahid said via Malay Mail:

‘‘I will take firm step over the action of Sajat who uploaded photos and video of her wearing women’s prayer garments when in Mecca which viraled on the social media and led rise to discomfort among Muslims. Immediate action will be taken by MCMC."

In addition, Mujahid added that he has met up with Albayt Travel, the tourism agency that handled Sajat and her family’s trip to Mecca.

Produced identification of a man

A spokesperson for Albayt Travel said that during the pilgrimage registration, Sajat had produced identification documents stating she was a man.

She also did not state nor inform the agency about being a hermaphrodite.

The agency spokesperson said via Harian Metro:

“If Sajat is indeed a hermaphrodite then it is an issue, as when boarding the flight from Kuala Lumpur, Sajat was still a man. The Malaysian Consulate in Jeddah have also contacted Sajat on this matter before Sajat claimed to have documents from court stating about being a hermaphrodite. But these documents were not highlighted to our agency."

The spokesperson added that the agency has asked Sajat to issue an apology and to delete all the pictures and videos from her social media accounts.

“We have also advised Sajat to be a man throughout the time in the holy land upon arrival in Mecca the day before."

Top images from Twitter Virall/Twitter & Akeem Sharyzal/Twitter.