Breaking News
Witness recounts deadly Ulu Tiram police station attack
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — A police corporal in the Ulu Tiram police station attack case
...KL High Court told Fahmi made no political speech at Rawang mosque
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — An investigating officer told the High Court yesterday that Communications Minister
...Madani Mart uses licensing model, not govt-funded, says deputy minister amid KR1M comparisons
JOHOR BAHRU, April 5 — Madani Mart operates on a licensing model in collaboration with entrepreneurs
...Anwar pays tribute to Ling Liong Sik, says nation loses a ‘dedicated leader’
KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed condolences over the
...Genting Highlands restaurant charges RM902 for fish dish, draws KPDN scrutiny
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — A Genting Highlands restaurant has reportedly come under scrutiny after a group
...No tsunami risk to Malaysia after strong quake in Indonesia’s Banda Sea, says MetMalaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — There is no tsunami threat to Malaysia following a strong earthquake
...
Muslim women’s rights group changes name to SIS Forum after Selangor Sultan’s remark forbidding use of ‘Islam’
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — SIS Forum (Malaysia) has announced today that it will no longer use the name “Sisters in Islam” following a remark from the Sultan of Selangor last month.
The organisation said the decision was made during an Extraordinary General Meeting on July 11, and it will now refer to itself solely by its registered name.
“Even as we drop the word ‘Islam’ from our pen name, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for gender equality and justice in Islamic family law.
“At the end of the day, it is the work we do for Muslim women and for Malaysian citizens that matters most,” executive director Rozana Isa said in a statement here.
SIS Forum said it has operated under the name “Sisters in Islam” to reflect its role as an organisation that advocates for justice and equality for Muslim women in Malaysia and its belief that Islam is a just and compassionate religion.
“We hope this puts an end to the long-standing contention over our name and allows us to go forward in good faith with all parties,” said Rozana.
“Women are equal in the eyes of God. Surely, they must also be seen and treated as equal in the eyes of men.”
The group clarified that its advocacy work is not meant to challenge Islam, but to ensure women are not failed by laws intended to protect them.
It cited ongoing issues including unpaid nafkah, extrajudicial polygamy and divorce, domestic violence, and lack of gender-sensitive legal interpretations.
“These concerns are real and systemic. They demand attention, not dismissal.” Rozana said.
Last month, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he was disappointed and sad after the Federal Court ruled that a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee does not apply to SIS Forum as an organisation or institution, but only to individuals.
As a result, the Malay Ruler urged the SIS Forum Malaysia to cease using the term “Sisters in Islam” to prevent the indiscriminate use of the term Islam for the benefit and interest of the organisation.
