For transgender people in Indonesia, Al Fatah serves as a beacon. It is a safe space and a school. Al Fatah welcomes transgender Muslims from all corners of Indonesia who are experiencing persecution. They can flee to safety here.
Al Fatah is Arabic for the young women. It allows a wide degree of freedom in dress and behavior. The leadership urges students to rediscover their faith. They should return to ritual prayer and read the Quran.
Based in the middle of Indonesia, Al Fatah has been forced to move a couple times. This happened after protests from hardline Muslim groups. These days, Al Fatah is located in a back alley of Kota Gede. Kota Gede is an older part of town famous for its silverworks.
The last time the leadership was confronted by an angry mob was in February 2016. Back then, Al Fatah was located in Bantul. The protestors purported not to be harassing the waria. Waria is a portmanteau derived from the Indonesian words for woman and man. They said they were clarifying the laws of Islam regarding the existence of transgender people.
The leader of Front Jihab Islam, Abdurahman, made clear that his group did not oppose Al Fatah’s existence. They should make its members repent though. Forced repentance is clearly not Al Fatah’s mission.
The right to exist as a transgender person is surprisingly uncontroversial in Islamic law. Muslims believe Allah created all people. Those born between genders are also Allah’s children.
In Indonesia, many communities are not tolerant of trans existence. Al Fatah openly invites them to be safe. They can be themselves and mend their broken souls. Al Fatah presents itself as a Muslim school.
Indonesia’s democratic government has held hearings about Al Fatah. They denied human rights activists from attending them. They found Al Fatah at fault. The school leadership bravely keeps doors open to transgender people.
Shinta Ratri is currently the head of Al Fatah. Shinta grew up in this neighborhood. Now in her early 50s, she has broader shoulders. She has strong facial features and soft eyes. The curvatures of her nose suggest she is no stranger to violence.
Shinta was one of three people who founded Al Fatah in 2008. She faced down the Front Jihad Islam protestors. She repeatedly risks media exposure to clarify Al Fatah’s purpose. She is responsible for building ties with Muslim teachers in town. They helped write the school’s curriculum.
Before the protests and temporary closure, the Al Fatah community was some 40 souls strong. Once people who have fled from inhospitable corners of the country make their way here, they are granted temporary sanctuary. They are invited to attend Sunday school. It now serves as the nexus for the Al Fatah family.
Al Fatah is willing to receive applicants of any age. In practice hosting minors would be too risky. When Muslims pray, the oldest man usually acts as the leader. At Al Fatah, people are free to present their genders as they wish.
Ustadz Arif Nuh Safri is one of 10 teachers who routinely volunteer here. He says topics include the correct way to pray. He also teaches how to read the Al Qur’an. He tries to keep discussions light.
Arif got involved here several years ago. He believes Islam is for everyone. The official curriculum of Al Fatah was written in collaboration with over 40 teachers.
Before visiting, one might think of reasons for both liberal and conservative people to be either for or against the existence of Al Fatah. Al Fatah’s students were already excluded. The lighthouse that is Al Fatah has brought them to safe space.
Those freedoms aren’t guaranteed though. They are undersigned by the strength of leaders like Shinta Ratri. It is hard to say what their primary role is these days. Perhaps it is the flexibility enabling them to always keep open their doors. They offer spiritual guidance. They keep that one lightbulb on so those who seek safety can find their way to Al Fatah.