GROWING up in a Muslim-majority country like Malaysia has its set of challenges, especially for present day women who are finding it increasingly difficult to balance between modernity and conservative values.

This tug of war between liberal views and patriarchal beliefs is made worse by the escalating religious violence that has become more frequent in our region.

In recent times, the discourse for women on matters concerning religion have been massively restricted. The oversimplification of disallowing questions by justifying that one cannot question the word of god has taken a toll on democratic freedom.

Religion has often been used as a tool to assert political power over the masses and has been successful in silencing dissenting voices, in particularly women; in other words, the sincerity of religion is tainted by those whose vested interests and ulterior motives supersedes logic.

Who can forget the obtuse suggestion made by Tasek Gelugor MP (rape victims should marry their attackers) or even ISMA’s perpetual drumming of misogyny (liberal women are evil and lost; feminism has no place in Islam); these are just examples of sound bytes bestowed upon us by leaders and organisations sanctioned by the ruling regime. 

Regrettably, a majority of organised religion have a tendency to typecast women as sinners and temptresses, therefore, dispelling the notion that women should be ‘contained’ to prevent raising male lust and public disorder that could ensue thereafter.

The patriarchal system we see today was endorsed culturally, under the pretext of religion, and has been assumed to be the religious truth for centuries to the point where a majority of us believe that the required inferiority complex is in fact, sanctioned directly from God.

For some of us, living in a social system that constantly instills the notion that women are subordinate has become quite the norm but for others, this is simply unacceptable.

Present social structures have become increasingly intertwined with religion, and challenging the status quo has become a rather difficult endeavor.

The best way to combat such threats is to simply empower women (and men too) with the knowledge and confidence to battle the nay-sayers. We understand taking on institutions and identifying the problems that occur as a result of intolerance, ignorance and misogyny is not an easy battle but it is one that can be fought when those who support similar ideals are not afraid to stand up and show solidarity to other Malaysians.

Renowned Indonesian playwrighter, Ratna Sarumpaet, aptly stated that “Religion these days has become trapped into being a tool for power” and this proves just how fanatical some of us have become; the frenzied approach to religiosity either stemming from sheer ignorance or to ensure political prolonged existence are divisive and could definitely obstruct national unity.

In our present socio-political landscape, bellows for reforms and upholding gender equality in Islam have become louder. While discourses on such matters have improved and there are now more platforms available for us to voice our discontentment, the results we want may not be up to our expectations just yet.

We still have our fair share of bigoted men and women who feel our rights and our beliefs are just not important.

When Muslim women fail to exercise our rights and exert our political power, our influence will falter and we will eventually lose it. Being absent from the discourse makes it easier for these bigots to sweep significant issues under the rug – be it reproduction rights, healthcare, education, polygamy, child marriages or rape.

Setting up a social structure that can facilitate a more just society is challenging as it will require political will from all levels – local to federal, home to workplace, kindergarten to high schools – but it’s definitely not impossible nor implausible.

While globally, women are known to own and run businesses, take on political positions and in general, countering the socially deprived Muslims woman stereotype, this uprising is limited to a certain extent in some of our local communities.

Perhaps the fear of being ostracised and condemned have gotten the best of them – these women have chosen to stay mum and remain painfully docile. Perhaps it’s up to some of us to show them the alternative vision, dreams and aspirations of how different things can be and we shouldn’t have to wait until 2050 to realise this vision. – June 3, 2017.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.