Islam is clear on gender.

This is evident from how the Creator addresses humanity in the holy Quran. This is the reminder from the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC). It follows a national debate over whether schools should enforce gender-neutral toilets.

Secretary-General for the MJC Shaykh Zayed Dantie says it’s time that faith leaders stand up.

“At the end of the day, it’s not a matter about discriminating a particular group of society. It’s more a matter of standing up and defending what you believe is right according to what the Constitution allows,” says Dantie.

Opposition to this call has ranged from child safety, to people’s rights to use gender-specific lavatories.

Meanwhile, the director of programmes at the Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute, Ebrahim Fakier has echoed concerns that the Basic Education Department has failed in its most fundamental duties.

He says that this should be its first focus, before acceding to the demands of a minority.