Sisters In Islam (SIS) is one of Malaysia’s best known NGOs. It is a women’s advocacy group, and from its name, it is assumed to be a Muslim NGO championing the rights of Muslim women. Or is it? Now other Muslim activists have filed a suit against Sisters In Islam, accusing it of not being Islamic and therefore not fit to include “Islam” in its name.
Why is Sisters In Islam being attacked? Of late it had taken positions that upset other Muslims. For example, it took a strong stand against caning of women, first with the case involving Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno who was convicted by the Syariah High Court in Kuantan for drinking alcohol and sentenced to a fine and 6 lashes of the cane. The caning sentence on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has yet to be carried out.
Then there is the case last month when 3 Muslim girls serving jail sentences for illicit sex were secretly caned. Again Sisters In Islam was at the forefront, condemning this act.
Now opponents of Sisters In Islam have had enough. Leading the attack on Sisters In Islam is another NGO, the Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth (MAMY). In a suit filed with the High Court, the Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth said in an affidavit by executive director Mohd Taqiuddin Abdullah that the real name of Sisters In Islam as registered with the Registrar of Companies and confirmed by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) is in fact not Sisters In Islam, but SIS Forum (Malaysia). But on its website, SIS Forum (Malaysia) uses the name Sisters In Islam.
Dr Muhammad Nawar Ariffin, de facto leader of Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youths said: “The use of the word ‘Islam’ in names must be restricted and protected. The so-called Sisters In Islam uses the word to attract attention, but it issues statements that contradict what other Muslims believe. It causes confusion among Muslims who might think that the group represents Islam.”
Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth maintains that since no permission was sought and no permission was given for the use of the word “Islam”, its use by Sisters In Islam is therefore a violation of the Companies Act 1965.
Another point raised by the Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth is that the Memorandum of Association, the instrument of incorporation, does not specify that the purpose of this NGO is for Muslim women. Rather it says that it a secular-feminist movement supporting equal rights between man and women.
The law suit against Sisters In Islam seeks remedy as follows:
1. A declaration that the legal valid name of the respondent is not Sisters In Islam, but SIS Forum (Malaysia).
2. An order to prevent the respondent from using Sisters In Islam as its name and identity in all pamphlets, correspondence letters, publications and/or statements whether on the Internet, in print or electronic media.
3. An order to the respondent to remove the Sisters In Islam name from its website, printed materials and publications.
4. An order to prevent the respondent from circulating printed materials in such a manner.
5. An order for costs and further relief as the court deems fit.
As to why this legal action is taken, the 5,000 strong Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth said this is in line with its aims of protecting the Islamic teachings and correcting any violation of law over matter. Besides the civil suit against Sisters In Islam, Malaysian Assembly of Mosque Youth will also be writing to the relevant minister and the registrar of companies to take action over the “misrepresentation” by Sisters In Islam.
Sisters In Islam was established in 1988. It has been a most vocal advocate of reforms involving Muslim Syariah laws that, in its view, fail to protect the rights of Muslim women in such areas as polygamy and child marriages.
On the charge that Sisters In Islam is not Islamic, executive director Hamidah Marican said that its work is “driven by the tenets of the Quran and Islam.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of this civil suit.
Think about it. Why are Muslim NGOs fighting one another? Is there no room for dissenting views? Must police reports and legal action be the way to resolve differences? And is Sisters In Islam wrong to be an advocate for Muslim women?
Previous posts
Kartika Caning – Sisters In Islam Questioned By Police
Kartika Caning – Now Sisters In Islam Queried In Parliament
Kartika Caning – MP Targets Sisters In Islam
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Explains Intervention
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Intervenes
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