Malaysia is a fat-phobic country, and so it’s welcoming to see pockets of fat acceptance in the media. In this case, a rare fashion spread for “plus-sized” women in a local Muslim women’s lifestyle magazine, Nur. Reading the text above, the use of the word “comel” (cute) to mean larger body is interesting; while it… Continue reading Cute big bodies: Fashion for plus-size Muslim women in a Malaysian magazine
Research and publications
Is there an emergence of new masculinities in Indonesia’s Islamic cinema?
When new femininities are introduced in the new wave of religious film-making, different strands of masculinities also emerge albeit in more implicit ways. Like heterosexuality, non-disability, and whiteness, masculinity is often referred to as ‘unmarked’ social category in which male dominance has been historically treated as the ‘norm’ while ‘gender’ is often taken to be… Continue reading Is there an emergence of new masculinities in Indonesia’s Islamic cinema?
Fiesta Feminista 2011 is on 25 to 27th November in Kota Kinabalu
For those still not in the know, the second Fiesta Feminista is taking place on 25 to 27th November 2011 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in East Malaysia. From the website: Fiesta Feminista is an initiative by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) a regular event that happens once every 3-4 years a process… Continue reading Fiesta Feminista 2011 is on 25 to 27th November in Kota Kinabalu
Does Ustazah Pilihan have the X-factor?
On 1st October, Islamic lifestyle Astro channel, Oasis, is launching the first episode of Ustazah Pilihan (Ideal Ustazah). Similar in format to the reality talent show Imam Muda (Young Imam), a woman will have to jump through various hoops to prove that she’s the most qualified religious teacher of the land. Each contestant will be… Continue reading Does Ustazah Pilihan have the X-factor?
On the NGOisation of feminism in Malaysia and how it may exclude many Malaysians
There was an article in the Star online today about pressuring the government into making sexual harassment a crime in Malaysia. 11 NGOs stressed the urgency since the rising numbers of incidences are making public spaces not only unbearable but increasingly dangerous for women and girls. But the language in which harassment or any gender-related… Continue reading On the NGOisation of feminism in Malaysia and how it may exclude many Malaysians
A brief note on Islamic film-making in Indonesia
The ways in which cinema and religion are intertwined are not unique to Indonesia nor to Islam. The rise of Pentecostal “video-films” in Ghana, the Hollywood mainstreaming of ‘Ben Hur’ and Mel Gibson’s ‘The passion of Christ’, and the popular reception of ‘Karunamayudu’, a Telegu retelling of the story of Jesus, watched by over 100… Continue reading A brief note on Islamic film-making in Indonesia
Man sues LSE for “anti-male” Gender Studies agenda
First published on The F-Word Once upon a time, the hallowed halls of academia were only opened to men. Within, men consumed and produced scholarship about other men. The presence of women in university was thought to contaminate, ridicule, and degrade the sacred pursuit of learning. Learning was even thought to be bad for women,… Continue reading Man sues LSE for “anti-male” Gender Studies agenda
Access to academic publications online is a feminist issue albeit a hypocritical one for feminist academia
Access to academic publication is the hidden dark heart of academia. Those within ivory towers often forget what it’s like to be outside and far below, without the institutional login to the very stuff of learning. Recent articles by George Monbiot and Ben Goldacre on the highly protective academic publishing cartel have raised attention to… Continue reading Access to academic publications online is a feminist issue albeit a hypocritical one for feminist academia
The gender politics of conversion narratives in film religi
Ayat-ayat cinta (Verses of love, 2008, dir. Hanung Bramantyo) and Syahadat cinta (Shahada of love, 2008, dir. Gunawan Panggaru) portray the religious conversion of two Christian female characters, Maria and Pricilia respectively, to Islam after developing an intimate relationship with the Muslim male protagonists. The women convert to Islam for different reasons. For Maria, it… Continue reading The gender politics of conversion narratives in film religi
Despite Merdeka, we still show plenty of love for our colonial masters
Here’s some food for thought: Why did colonialism occur on our land for several hundred years? Why didn’t proto-Malaysians fight back the moment invasion was upon them? And here’s a tougher nougat for thought; despite everything, was colonialism a good thing for Malaysia? Before answering those big questions without empirical certainty, perhaps we should ask… Continue reading Despite Merdeka, we still show plenty of love for our colonial masters
Alicia Izharuddin 