surgery for intersex and transgender individuals, Iran carries out more sex change operations than any other nation in the world except for Thailand. It is sanctioned as a supposed "cure" for homosexuality, which is punishable by death penalty under Iranian law. The Iranian government even provides up to half the cost for those needing financial assistance and a sex change is recognised on the birth certificate. In some regions of South Asia such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the hijras are officially recognized as a third gender that is neither male nor female, a concept that some have compared to mukhannathun. See also References Notes Citations Bibliography Arab culture Arabic words and phrases Gender and Islam Gender systems Islamic culture LGBT and Islam Pre-Islamic Arabia Transgender identities Transgender in Asia Transgender topics and religion