Malaysia considers appointment of first Muslim woman as deputy mufti

Producer: Melanie Yip
First broadcast: 18 August 04, Radio Singapore International

Malaysia is considering appointing a Muslim woman as a deputy mufti.

This position is regarded as the second highest religious authority in Islam.

Just last week, Malaysia announced its decision to appoint women as Syariah Court judges.

So what are the reasons behind Malaysia's decision to place more women in important positions in religious establishments?

Melanie Yip put the question to Dr. Chandra Muzaffa (CM), President of the International Movement for a Just World in Malaysia.

CM: This has been the view expressed by one individual, (Datuk Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob), the head of IKIM (Institute of Islamic Understanding). I do not know how representative his view is. But the IKIM head had his rationale, that since women constitute half of the population, and there are many issues pertaining to Islamic law and Islamic courts, which involve women, it is only right that women be considered for the position of deputy mufti or deputy head of the administration of religion.

How will the appointment of a woman deputy mufti help to promote Islam in Malaysia?

CM: There is nothing wrong in a woman holding such a position. In fact, this was something that should have been done a long time ago because if you look at Muslim history, especially early Muslim history, women played an important role in shaping political and legal opinion within the nascent Muslim community. There is no reason why women should not be appointed to such a position, and if they are appointed to positions of such, I think it shows that Malaysia is a progressive Muslim society. It is to show to the rest of the Muslim world, that a country which is stable, harmonious, which is very much part of the 21st century, has succeeded partly because it has accorded the position that women deserve.

But the social stigma still exists over women holding appointments in religious establishments. There is a perceived sense of prejudice against women in those positions. Have there been other efforts taken by Malaysia to reduce prejudice against women in those positions?

CM: Well, if you look at the general social standing of women, and the roles they play in the public arena, I think that has played a great deal in convincing Muslim women in particular, that they have a place in the sun. Now, as far as specific religious roles are concerned, I don't think Malaysia has done very well, we don't have women Syariah judges yet, although there is a proposal to that effect. If you look at some of the other countries, like Sudan, which is a Sunni majority country, or Iran, which is a Shiite majority country, women have been appointed judges in the country for some time now, and this is true for a country like Indonesia. So as far as specific religious roles are concerned, I don't think we have done very well, and it's high time we move in that direction.

But we are seeing some improvements in recognizing a woman's position in society and moving towards what Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi terms as "a step towards progressive Islam" What are your views on this?

CM: Both these moves, if they materialize, would be steps in the right direction. This is what we really need because there has been greater progress for Muslim women in other spheres, as far as religion is concerned, meaning the authorities that determines rules and regulations, a lot of which affect women, we have been a little conservative and it's good that we have been moving in that direction now, under Abdullah Badawi.

Do you foresee women taking on more important roles in religious establishments in the future?

CM: I hope this will inspire women in Malaysia to play more active roles within the religious spheres. I would personally like to see more Islamic scholars from the female community because I would think that is a tremendous boost to both women and the intellectual growth and development, I would see women as interpreters of the Quran, women coming out with decisions that pertain to society as a whole, in particular decisions relating to the family, community. I would like to see women, for instance, head religious delegations, where issues pertaining to both women and men are discussed, things like these should happen. And I'm hoping that these moves that are being made, which are not crystalized yet would inspire women to move in that direction.