Pesantren Al-Fattah: The Strugle of an Ascetic Waria to Create a Religious Space for Transgender Muslims in Indonesia

This study seeks to describe the struggle of a Muslim transgender ascetic in claiming religious space for urban Indonesia by creating pesantren (Islamic school). The was conducted Al-Fattah Pondok Pesantren, only Islamic school Indonesia. is created Bu Maryani, ascetic, who contributed her money, thought, energy and prayers this school, provide spiritual sanctuary transvestites, despites worsening economy health. While many transvestites look alternative religion, experience reveal that Muslims may find their within traditional practices, not outside institutions. power lived pesantren, forms rituals validate Queer practices. We argue use enable overcome dilemma fluidity-and-fixity queer