To return to the abstract index press the back button on your browser
Zohra Andi Baso
'Islam And Feminism In Indonesia (A Case Study in South Sulawesi)'
In this last two years, some of Muslim groups have been taken an efforts to apply special autonomy that based on Islamic Rules in South Sulawesi, come to be appear. They have been tried in spreading their will by taking some of activities such as a campaigning by using leaflet, mass media, and also taking a congress that focus their concern about Islamic Rules (Syariat Islam). Their efforts then, put more established by traying some lobbying to the executive, legislative and the politicians both in local government and central government.
This kind of movement, seems to make a worry to the activists of feminism in South Sulawesi. Their worry also have driven them into a conclusion that it will put women into negative impacts. Reasons of such worry actually have been proven in other region that have applied the the same Islamic Rules like in Aceh, where women who obey such rules were not based on their awareness but just obeying such unfair rules to women. A case of Jilbab can be taken as an example. Actually, some women in Aceh have been aware to wear Jilbab, while other are not. But, it also will drive women to be ignored in political point of view.
To keep suspecting the ideas of Islamic Rules in South Sulawesi, it should be put into concern by considering that from about 7 millions of South Sulawesi inhabitant, about 85 percent are moslem. Therefore, it should be put into attention that once, South Sulawesi have got a bad experience related to the will Kahar Muzakkar to establish a state of Islam in South Sulawesi in 1950's that at last cause to fail. Moreover, the comprehension about Islam in South Sulawesi still put women into subordination.
Generally, most of them who support the Islamic Rules are frequently fail into a gender bias. As seen in that most of marriare adviser in each wedding party always keep the unfair hadist (rules based on the speech and behaviour of the prophet Muhammad) to women, like a statement that put women who should obey her husband because she come from the rib of men. Such interpretation from Alqur'an manuscript-Annisa, is considered as gender bias. They only put into focus that women should always to be loyal to men because he is considered as a leader.
Therefore, the activists of women concern, both who considered themselves as feminism and those who still reject, are all together to protest such implementation as seen in Aceh that have applied Islamic Rules as the Basic Principles in the government as together with local government autonomy. Other activities conducted are making intensive discussion among women, creating alternative media and advocacy programm. Although, some of that activities still unspreading but they have been trying their best in any kind efforts. They keep worrying that the politicians and member of house representative will take in playing on that issues.
Bio: emailed for.
<zohrabaso@hotmail.com>
or
<ylkiss@indosat.net.id>