We refer to the Malaysiakini report Islamic officials bust transvestites gala in Kelantan .

The mainstream media recently published reports on the raids by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Department on July 27 on transvestites attending the Glam Nite Miss Universe Asia 2008 Pageant in Kelantan. Subsequent letters to the editor have been published on the issue, some in defence of the transgenders and some in favour of the action by the state’s religious authority.

The debate unfortunately does not help to address the practical realities that NGOs like PT Foundation have to cope with on the ground.

There will always be a contention on whether transgenders should be allowed to be who they are, and whether such a life is 'un-Islamic'. Regardless of what the judgement is, the mak nyah community has and will continue its existence in Malaysia as they have always done even way before the colonisation of Malaysia (as mak andam and palace aids).

Transgender people are also found in all nations from the US, to India, China and Iran and have played prominent roles in ancient history. Their continued existence, despite the most repressive and restrictive of laws, suggest that more practical approaches are needed to deal with their existence.

Some of the very real issues that confront all self respecting Malaysians is that the mak nyah community is one of the most stigmatised, prejudiced and discriminated against communities.

They have problems staying in schools and colleges due to taunting from their peers and teachers, they are subjected to rigid religious education, strict discipline, and tremendous moral pressure from well-meaning parents and kampung leaders.

Some run away from home or are evicted. In adult life they find difficulty in getting jobs, and lodgings. It is no wonder that many of them turn to sex work and the entertainment industry.

Being dis-empowered and living on the borderline has made the mak nyah community very susceptible to HIV. Unfortunately HIV recognises no borders, and this infection is passed on to wives and children of the clients and partners of a mak nyah .

The rate of HIV infection among the mak nyah - if not contained - will result in Malaysia failing to meet the United Nations Millenium Development Goals despite doing well in all other areas.

At PT Foundation (a non-governmental association dealing with HIV prevention among marginalised communities), our approach of being community-based, non-judgmental and non-confrontational, is showing positive results.

The mak nyah community are given basic welfare, hygiene and legal assistance. HIV prevention, care and support are key components of our programmes.

Our engagement with the Jabatan Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi) or the Federal Territory Islamic Department, has resulted in Jawi adopting a dakwah approach in dealing with the mak nyah community, that includes religious classes being conducted by Jawi and attended voluntarily by the mak nyah community.

As a result, more mak nyah have opted to give up sex work and stop working in the entertainment industry. But they need a lot of help to move on in life such as training skills, job opportunities and most of all, the dignity to be treated as any other self-respecting Malaysians.

They need the assistance of other state religious departments, welfare boards and all Malaysians to help them get on with life. I for one believe that judgement is best left to be made by God on Judgement Day.

The writer is acting executive director and programme director, Pink Triangle Programme PT Foundation.