PETALING JAYA, May 19 — Several single mothers defended Sisters in Islam (SIS) today against the “liberal” and “feminist” tags attached by critics and religious authorities, saying the women’s rights group should be applauded for its “brave” struggle for justice.
According to the single mothers, critics of SIS should not readily dismiss the group based ostensibly on slander, and instead witness its advocacy work and assistance towards Muslim women.
“To me, SIS is a body that is very helpful towards women in any form, especially for single mothers,” Latifah Ab Rahman, 55, told reporters after the launch of SIS’ Dr Nik Noriani Legal Aid Fund.
“Other women’s groups might just listen, but SIS would do it until things are settled … It is in SIS that we can see a transparent and effective struggle. They move professionally and are brave to fight for the truth.”
Agreeing with Latifah was Mariam Abdul, a single mother who has worked together with SIS since 1995 on issues related to families without fathers.
“Since I have been (with) SIS for such a long time, I don’t care about all that,” Mariam said, referring to labels and tags against the group.
“They are doing their job to help women in problem. I know they are doing their job to help others. That is more important.”
SIS is currently at the centre of a religious storm after the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) decreed a fatwa, or religious ruling, on July 31, 2014 that singled out SIS by name, in addition to “any individuals, organisations or institutions”.
It also deemed any publication with elements of liberalism and religious pluralism as haram, or prohibited, and can be seized by religious authorities.
SIS then filed a challenge in the Kuala Lumpur High Court in October last year together with several individuals previously labelled as “liberals”, including prominent feminist Zainah Anwar and former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
The group had also attracted the ire of the women’s wing of Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), who are staunch critics of feminism.
“If you all want to say things like that, call them (SIS) for a meeting. Don’t just say things behind their backs. Listen to them on what they do,” said Mariam.
“What is hyped about SIS, for me is not true … Human’s opinions are always like this. When we do good things, they will talk bad about us. When we do bad things, they will talk worse about us,” Latifah told Malay Mail Online.
“Women’s issues are heavy stuff. If there is nobody like SIS, who else would help us? Others are just too busy taking care of their own rice bowls.”
SIS launched the Dr Nik Noriani Legal Aid Fund today for Muslim women divorcees and single mothers facing financial and bureaucratic difficulties when handling their cases within the Shariah legal system.
The fund is an extension of SIS’ Telenisa legal advisory service, which had handled 729 cases last year alone, of which 148 were on divorce.
