Participation of women in the Malaysian parliament and the principles of shura' in Islamic law
Malaysia is considered one of the most progressive countries in the Muslim world steadily moving towards enhanced political stability, general standard of living, technological advancement, and an integrated multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. In fact, Malaysian women repres...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IIUM Press, International Islamic University Malaysia
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/73480/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/73480/1/73480_Participation%20of%20women%20in%20the%20Malaysian%20parliament.pdf |
| Summary: | Malaysia is considered one of the most progressive countries in the Muslim world steadily
moving towards enhanced political stability, general standard of living, technological
advancement, and an integrated multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. In
fact, Malaysian women representatives contribute significantly in terms of insightful ideas,
concrete arguments, and affirmative actions towards resolving national problems in general
and women’s problems in particular. However, the participation of women in the Malaysian
Parliament tends to remain undervalued and underappreciated by some factions in society
who ascribe to women in general certain physical and intellectual weaknesses which render
them unfit for such positions or even suppose that women should not be involved in public
affairs at all and tend to their homes and families instead. Such negative preconceptions
and stereotypes undermine the women’s dignity and continuously question their capability
and thus reject the contributions of half of the populace towards achieving Malaysian
excellence as a nation. This research discusses arguments for and against the participation of
women in political affairs based on the primary and secondary sources of Islamic law with
the aim to propose a moderate viewpoint and solution. A comparative study between the
two institutions in general and women’s participation in particular provides the basis for a
subsequent evaluation of existing shura' principles as to whether women should participate
in the Malaysian Parliament or not. |
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