In light of the recent increase of uproar of Malaysians against the feminist NGO, Sisters in Islam, they have conducted a social media campaign called ‘Think Again’ to paint a form of support from a minority population in Malaysia. The campaign was sparked by Azrul Mohd Khalib on his facebook profile as a show of support from himself.
It is funny how there has been a lot of debates on what the definitions of liberalism and feminism are, but yet NGOs like Sisters in Islam have failed to put forth a solid statement on how they define these ideologies that they hold on to. In fact, there has been several attempts at bashing groups that seek to educate the Malaysian majority on the dangers of feminism and liberalism; where in these events, these ideologies have been discussed out in the open in an academic manner. The irony is, Sisters in Islam constantly screams ‘liberty’, ‘freedom’ and ‘discourse’ yet when it comes to giving Islamic groups the chance to engage in academic discourse on these pertinent issues, they simply wish that there is a kill switch. For your information, sister, you are very much welcomed to any of these events if you wish to do so.
Recently, an academic forum titled, “Mahasiswi Tolak Feminisme: Muliamu Gadis Kerana Islam (Female undergraduates rejecting feminism: Women are glorified because of Islam)” was held on the 14th of November in UPM. Sadly, because of its pro-Islam and anti-feministic ideals, Erna Mahyuni wrote in the Malay Mail describing it as the “uplifting freedom of being in Jail”. I think such disrespectful remarks does not deserve to be made in public. Are you implying that Muslim women are oppressed simply because they choose to adhere to the Quran and Sunnah?
I invite Sisters in Islam and its small niche of supporters to think again when it comes to issues of feminism. The discussion on feminism goes beyond just fighting for women’s rights. There is no question that Islam upholds the rights of both men and women. What is not right about feminism is that it is more than that and sister, you know that as well as I do. Feminism is the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. The key word here is equality.
Islam acknowledges the differences between men and women and it outlines the different responsibilities and rights to suit those differences. I believe that Islam has outlined it in a just manner and I believe that many more Muslims will agree. This is what we call gender equity. As what you pointed out on your recent ‘think again’ campaign, your fight is for “keadilan, kesaksamaan dan kebebasan…”. Unfortunately, when translated to English, you refer to ‘kesaksamaan’ as equality, when in fact, it means equity; much different from the ideals of equality.
In recent times, the battle over gender equality had been increasingly aggressive in America. A gender equality campaign was initiated as an attempt to legalize a woman’s ability to be topless as it is for men. This movement is also pushing for abolishment of censorship for a woman to appear topless in the media. Their argument of course, “if men can do it, why not women?” Sounds familiar?
This idea of gender equality in America is highly problematic, uncivilized and not to mention, un-Islamic if left untreated. Sure, it all started with a feminism campaign; fighting for equal rights of men and women. And look at where it is now? Is this what Sisters In Islam dreams of for the future of Malaysia? Think again, sister.
Yusri Jamaluddin
MS Business Analytics ‘15
New York, USA
