- Sisters in Islam
Sisters in Islam (SIS) is an organization of Muslim women in
Malaysia which seeks to articulate women's rights inIslam by emphasising the need to interpret theQur'an and thehadith in their proper historical and cultural contexts. It also advocates for the right of women to hold public office. One of the more prominent leaders of SIS isZainah Anwar who was the head for two decades. SIS website is http://www.sistersinislam.org.myHistory
In 1987, a clutch of women lawyers, activists, academics and journalists including
Zainah Anwar jointly founded a fledgling movement to look into the problems Muslim women had with theSyariah courts. In 1990, the movement formally became known as SIS. Its focus was to challenge laws and policy made in the name of Islam that discriminate against women. Eventually, SIS areas of work expanded to emcompass larger issues of democracy, human rights and constitutionalism.Said Zainah Anwar in an interview with The Star:
Aghast at what was being taught in the ceramahs (sermons), the founding sisters turned to the
Quran to find out for themselves what the verses say, as opposed to various interpretations. What they discovered was a revelation. On polygamy, theQuran says: “If you fear that you cannot treat them the same, then marry just the one.”Contributions
SIS has opened public space for debate and given a public voice to women to air their concerns about their rights under
Syariah law. Through its fora and education programmes, SIS has shown that the concerns of Muslim women are “not the monopoly of religious scholars. Everyone has the right to speak”.SIS has been at the forefront of NGOs influencing amendments to Islamic Family Law. It has espoused equality and justice for women, discussed dress and modesty, the right to guardianship, women as judges, fundamental liberties in Islam, and apostasy and freedom of religion.
The organisation has exposed the diversity of interpretations of
Islam , and through its research and discussions with local and international authorities, sifted through these to determine “which opinions we want to follow and codify”.SIS works in the areas of research, advocacy, legal reform and services, public education and publications. It is currently undertaking a nationwide survey on the "Impact of Polygamy on the Family", interviewing first and second wives, husbands and children on the emotional, financial and social impact of this form of marriage. It is also advocating reform of the Muslim Family Law within the framework of equality and justice and works closely with the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality in Malaysia to reform all laws that discriminate against women and to raise public awareness on women's rights.
Criticisms
SIS has drawn criticism from Muslim "ulama" because the women leaders are atypical of the image of the “good Malay-Muslim lady”. Many Muslim leaders, from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to state religious bodies to PAS, berated ther organisation’s lack of formal Islamic credentials. On the plus side, some of the more liberal
mufti (chief clergy in respective states) have addressed SIS seminars.At one point, SIS was taken more seriously abroad than at home in
Malaysia .Purdah -clad women fromIran who listened incredulously to Malaysian Muslim officialdom defendpolygamy , found common ground with SIS on this issue.ee also
*
Islamic feminism External links
* [http://www.sistersinislam.org.my/ Official Website]
References
* Ong, Aihwa and Peletz, Michael G. (1995). "Bewitching Women, Pious Men". University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-08861-1
* [http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/3/30/lifefocus/20762710&sec=lifefocus A sister steps out] , The Star, March 30, 2008.
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