“PAS Wants Sisters in Islam Banned.”
Such arrogance!
Such arrogance that a religious political party has taken it upon themselves to try and get Sisters in Islam (SIS)—an NGO that champions the cause of female Muslims in Malaysia—banned. Among the 11 motions that went without debate in the 55th PAS Muktamar, this motion reads:
If proven that it goes against the principles (syariat) of Islam, it should be banned (mengharamkan) and its members to go for religious rehabilitation.
Afraid already, PAS, that you want them to go to rehab and out of your way?
The reason given was that SIS’ views are liberal, which supposedly might cause confusion, and therefore a threat to Muslims’ faith. Seems to be the trending view in Malaysia isn’t it? Ban the confounder, lest the public becomes confused! We can think for ourselves, you know. And there’s no better model for Muslim women thinking and speaking up for themselves than SIS.
Is confusion the real case, PAS? Not because the notion of women sticking up for themselves too challenging and fearsome for your patriarchal ego? Not because SIS is doing a splendid job clearing up Islamic laws that mostly have been selfishly interpreted to fit with the misogynist status quo from days of yonder? Not because SIS saw beyond the pretence, and criticised the fatwa on yoga and tomboy? Not because some of the leaders of SIS do not look like your dream women, with their hijab-less heads and contemporary dresses?
With the rise of the conservative ulama group in the latest election of PAS, I was afraid that there might not be much chance for reason in the party. Frankly, I’m relieved to read the report by The Nut Graph that included the views of several PAS women leaders, which had more sense than their male counterparts.
Former central working committee member Dr. Siti Mariah Mahmud, claimed that it’s best to hold talks with SIS rather than the ban, and she was quoted as saying:
People think they (SIS) are wrong, but I think their thoughts are rarely heard in Malaysia, and people tend to misunderstand them.
…So if they invite me to their functions, I will go, because I don’t have any problems with them.
Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohamad Ghazali meanwhile said:
I have a more open attitude: SIS is a registered NGO, so if you don’t agree with them, you can just state your views.
I don’t agree with banning them because I believe everybody needs to be able to speak their minds.
Oh, I think I should mention that Dr Lo’ Lo’ was the only woman to win a seat in the central committee in PAS.
Earlier on, she berated delegates who raised the issue of dress code and the wearing of headscarves (and segregation, which she didn’t mention) of women reporters in the event, something which provoked the MCA’s women wing to call it the “Talibanism by PAS”.
In her winding up speech, she urged the party:
It’s time that the women wing go beyond the “tea lady” era and not just serving as the souvenir & gifts committee.
Amen, sister. Amen.
Coffee Conversations 
ah!women,girls,ladies…
watch them go semi naked on the streets,adverts,billboard etc.
see them play football.sepaktakraw etc.
sis is not there to help those women,ladies and girls…
and you,my dear…are lost in the wilderness.
politics are ALWAYS DIRTY
to tell the politician to be “fair and adil” is like hoping for the dogs not to bark!sometimes they fool some people all the time.
people like you!
Who says they need help, anyway?
I dont think PAS is afraid of SIS. More of PAS afraid of what damage can SIS did to muslim woman.
I agree that some muslims treated woman like a dog, but they not represents Islam as a whole. We have been through so many disastrous decades, that our pure religion has been mixed with rituals and wrong interpretation. Sadly, SIS does not tackle issues such as single mother with no support, or ex-husband that just ran from paying their ‘nafkah’ just to name a few.
Instead, the come up with ideas such as legalising the prostitution, and fight for issues such as hijab and polygamy. They even support woman to be imam in pray. Yes, if we just deal with these issues without refering to Quran and Hadith, then we might as well agree with them. But there are reasons why such things are forbidden, and why some are compulsory. After all, Islam takes the preventive lines to expect the worst case scenario.
Their ideas will bring confusion to muslims at large, because 1) many of us does not even learn Islam through Quran and Hadith, 2) we been taught that certain things are forbidden without ever knowing why. People such as SIS are the products of the two criterias above, and some other criteria not stated here. Instead of learning the true Islam, they opt to ‘secular understanding’ of Islam.
Woman’s right can and should be championed by muslims, but not by people like SIS. Dr. Lo Lo Ghazali is a good example of how muslims woman should behave and act.
SIS does not understand Islam fully, yet they want to fight for muslims cause. They should learn more, if their intention is right. I dont think they should be banned, but they should be taught on the real values of Islam that woman is treated respectfully.
If their intention is wrong, then we can see them embarrassed themselves with more confusing ideas.
I just happen to disagree with you on the issue, and I am terribly sorry. If you can give your thought that is more convincing to rebut my points, please share with me. To develop is to learn, and to learn is to engage with other human beings. Learning from the books without teacher is like reading in darkness.
i can understand the realiasm by jaih.yes,we need to go back to the very fundamental of islam.it is all about cleansing ones heart i.e.”niat itu mesti ikhlas dan benar”.
however,there are people who claim to know islam like sis,whose organisation does not comform to the very basic of muslim dress code.
it is like,hey!stop smoking while the speaker smoke.
having said that,are we not told that there are
“munafik”among the enemies of islam?
PAS by all their virtue should and always be wary of these “munafik”!
this is a very GOOD one zek! i should be spreading this! yes i should! GO ZEK for the next pemuda~!
Looks like you got some grassroots support, eh?
I wrote this in response to a comment of one of my friends in Manchester who was in opposition to SIS as well:
The issue is not really about what SIS stand for, but the fact that the only reaction PAS can muster against them is to call for a ban rather than engaging them…. Read more
Honest intentions or not, the end result is still the same; the party setting a troubling precedent of stifling alternative viewpoints. This is especially important for PAS now that they are under much public scrutiny from Muslims and non-Muslims who do have hope that the party can transcend sectarian politics and allow more room for public debate.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
… Usually when I see stuff that makes me angry, I don’t engage. But jaih hit some buttons today, so I will respond.
Sadly, SIS does not tackle issues such as single mother with no support, or ex-husband that just ran from paying their ‘nafkah’ just to name a few.
Who, seriously, doesn’t tackle these issues? Even if they do not talk about it as openly as other issues, doesn’t mean they don’t address it elsewhere, or have never addressed it.
Instead, the come up with ideas such as legalising the prostitution, and fight for issues such as hijab and polygamy.
The decriminalization of prostitution is a heavy issue, precisely because it is about protecting women and men (and those who fall in between) within the industry. I assume your version of Islam is concerned with caring about all sectors of Muslim society, yes?
The hijab ties in with doctrine, interpretation, and choice. There are women who wear the hijab out of choice, and some who don’t. The end of the world does not come about with a woman refusing to cover her hair. I’m pretty sure the final judge is God.
Polygamy – don’t even get me started with how the system of marriage only existed to treat women as commodities and worthless if they’re not married (and producing babies). The Prophet (pbuh) instituted polygamy to protect women, and he upheld high standards. Are these standards being followed? If women are arguing against polygamy, obviously, the menz R doin it rong.
They even support woman to be imam in pray. Yes, if we just deal with these issues without refering to Quran and Hadith, then we might as well agree with them. But there are reasons why such things are forbidden, and why some are compulsory. After all, Islam takes the preventive lines to expect the worst case scenario.
And we have to look at these reasons and see if they even still apply. The world back then is very, vastly, different from the world today. To ignore the changes is to be willfully blind.
1) many of us does not even learn Islam through Quran and Hadith, 2) we been taught that certain things are forbidden without ever knowing why.
1) This shit chaps my ass. Isn’t the first word of the Quran “Bacalah!”? You know, the imperative to read and thus educate oneself? Shouldn’t Muslims be reading their own holy texts and learning for themselves? We’re taught this stuff even in Pendidikan Islam-lite (Tassawur Islam).
2) Again, why do you have to be taught… by someone else? Why don’t you question why certain things are forbidden and learn for yourself? It’s not that hard, especially with the advent of the Internet. Yeah, it’s a little hard, but God didn’t make this world to make life easy.
Learning from the books without teacher is like reading in darkness.
Books, in themselves, *are* teachers. They are written by teachers (at least, one hopes so). They exist to contain information in order to stimulate our critical faculties, so we can learn for ourselves.
OK, rant over. Sorry, Zurairi, for the pontificating.
Oh jaih, jaih,
“I agree that some muslims treated woman like a dog, but they not represents Islam as a whole.”
While you go on and on about SIS not knowing what they’re doing, not mention once did you what can done for the many Muslim women who are suffering in Malaysia.
Typical.
And please tell me, what is so wrong about their intentions on IMPROVING the lives of Muslim women (and men) by raising awareness about their rights and most importantly, personal AGENCY?
“Learning from the books without teacher is like reading in darkness.”
Haha! I wish I could tell to all my teachers in school and university! You’re really hilarious, jaih.
Oops. Pardon my dyslexia.
“Jika Kartika dikenakan hukuman sebat, persepsi terhadap Malaysia sebagai sebuah negera Islam yang sederhana akan tergugat selama-lamanya.” KENYATAAN MEDIA
Hentikan Sebatan. Hentikan Sebatan ke atas Kartika
kita hidup untuk dunia atau akhirat, secara terang corak perjuangan sister in islam ini menentang undang-undang islam dan mengagungkan undang-undang dunia. pada mereka undang-undang dari alquran dan sunnah itu adalah perhiasan sahaja, yang cuma dibaca sebagai bahan sastera. Sedangkan apabila mereka mati nanti mereka akan ditanya “kenapa tidak menegakkan undang-undang alqurab” dan bukannya berapa banyak kebahagian dan kesenangan yg mereka kecapi didunia.
Undang2 sebat Kartika adalah dari al-Quran atau sunnah? Mari, tunjukkan bukti.
Carilah dari muka depan ke belakang al-Quran, dan tunjukkan surah dan ayat mana satu.