Originally posted at Muslimah Media Watch Stories about polygamy tend to surge and ebb in the media, but they never fail to intrigue people. Recently in South Africa, a Zulu man married four women–all at once–making the most popular story on the BBC news website (you can watch the clip here). In the video, a… Continue reading Big Love: Appropriating feminism in advocating polygamy
Category: Malaysia
Open thread: Sex education. Why are we so afraid?
When I was growing up, sex was everywhere in the household, except that the word ‘sex’ was never mentioned. Books about violent crimes against women were littered around the house and I read every one of them, thinking to some degree that I was reading – and learning – about sex. Living with a single… Continue reading Open thread: Sex education. Why are we so afraid?
Seksualiti Merdeka: Coming to terms with the love that dares not speak its name
This was originally published over at Muslimah Media Watch last Monday, on the 31st of August – Malaysia’s national day, popularly known as ‘Merdeka Day’. Who would have thought that sexuality rights were being celebrated in the historical and cultural heart of the Malaysian capital two weeks ago? Malaysia, like anywhere else (Muslim-majority or not)… Continue reading Seksualiti Merdeka: Coming to terms with the love that dares not speak its name
Beer and the intoxicating effect of power
Malaysia has given the BBC news more ridiculousness to report. As of three days ago, the world can confirm that the religious right in Malaysia are obsessed with beer. Not long ago Kartika Sari Dewi’s postponed sentence for drinking beer in public made international headline news and now Malaysian Muslims will not be allowed to… Continue reading Beer and the intoxicating effect of power
Notes on interracial and (post)colonial traveling
Some interracial couples may have some misgivings about traveling abroad together, particularly to places that are reputed to be intolerant – Saudi Arabia, Dubai and a host of other predominantly Muslim countries are quick to come up as examples. I can kind of understand why. The ghost of anti-miscegenation laws, racism, and the effects of… Continue reading Notes on interracial and (post)colonial traveling
Mother of all sins: the caning of Kartika Sari Dewi
They say that money is the root of all evil. At times, I couldn’t agree more. But now I hear that alcohol consumption is the “mother of all sins”. I’m not going into detail about which sins are worse, but more on the earthly consequences of such sins as defined by the male religious elite.… Continue reading Mother of all sins: the caning of Kartika Sari Dewi
Not tourists, not on holiday: World Refugee Day 20th June
From UNHCR Canada: Often classified unfairly with economic migrants, refugees flee their country not for economic gain but to escape persecution, the threat of imprisonment and even threats to their lives. They need a safe haven where they can recover from mental and physical trauma and rebuild their hopes for a better future. The intolerance… Continue reading Not tourists, not on holiday: World Refugee Day 20th June
No country for Muslim women
First published at Muslimah Media Watch I am not an Islamic scholar, therefore my opinions on Islam do not count. Worse still, I’m told that it’s not my place to have an opinion on Islam at all. This is the general climate of thought in Malaysia put forth in the recent proposal by the country’s… Continue reading No country for Muslim women
Thoughtful quote of the day
“When talking about aerospace, you ask somebody from NASA, not someone in Somalia,” The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party’s (PAS) president, Abdul Hadi Awang, on the party’s democratic right to ban the Muslim Feminist NGO Sisters In Islam for ‘unqualified’ involvement in Islamic law. [Source]
Joint statement by civil Malaysian society on PAS resolution to ban Sisters In Islam
In light of the recent furore over the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party’s (PAS) iron-fisted decision to ban the Muslim feminist non-governmental organisation, Sisters In Islam, and to severely punish its members if found to conduct “un-Islamic” activities, a joint statement on behalf of a democratic Malaysian society has been released for the consideration of PAS members… Continue reading Joint statement by civil Malaysian society on PAS resolution to ban Sisters In Islam
Alicia Izharuddin 