INTERVIEW The Obedient Wives Club (OWC) has claimed that the authorities have never organised dialogue sessions with them to further understand the club’s intentions.

“To be labelled as a cult is normal because when we are fighting for something, (surely) there will be resistance.

“But clearly, the accusations were made without any background check,” said the group’s president, Fauziah Ariffin.

In addition, other than the highest religious authorities, a large group of staff members from organisations like the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) are actually supporting the club’s aims.

NONE “In Jakim, the lower staff members would welcome us whenever we see them. There is only a few of them, decision-makers and others (who would not welcome us).

“If we meet the normal staff members and officers, they will support us,” she said.

At the end of 2011, Jakim banned OWC’s sex guidebook called ‘Islamic sex; fighting against Jews to return Islamic sex to the world’.

Also earlier this year, the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPK) raided OWC’s forum in Ipoh, in which Prophet Muhammad was referred to as a prominent figure in Islamic holy sex.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mashitah Ibrahim had described the organisation as a publicity-seeking club.

According to Fauziah, the pressure and negative opinions of the authorities branding OWC and Global Ikhwan as Al-Arqam’s offshoots have definitely given them advantages, especially when there are people who sympathise with their struggle.

“The perception of people towards Al-Arqam is like that... but when we were overseas, we see ministers coming (to our official events). They see us as connections to the world.

“There are only a few (who would call us a cult). Ambassadors and overseas consuls would also support us whenever we explain OWC to them. They know we were ex-members of Al-Arqam,” she continued.

She stressed that neither OWC nor Global Ikhwan had planned to revive that movement (Al-Arqam).

Instead, they want to invite “humans to return to the Quran”.

“We are not here to strengthen Al-Arqam, we want to strengthen God. Our focus is to return humans to God,” Fauziah said.

Making the organisation more ‘mainstream’

Fauziah said OWC and Global Ikhwan have many ways to make their organisations more “mainstream”.

One is by opening a business locally and internationally with the help of locals.

“Usually (business) depends on the country where we chose (to open business). But quite often, there will be locals who would volunteer because they are needed for us to obtain licences and such,” said the OWC president.

NONE They would also wear clothes like common people and the women would no longer wear purdah.

“Back then, the government would ban us when we wore all black clothing. We became a group that was scrutinised by society.

“Jakim did not allow us to wear all black when we were just trying to bring the people back to God, that is why we became more ‘mainstream’ by dressing like normal people.

“If it is allowed (to wear purdah), of course we will wear it again.

“The important thing is for us to communicate with society,” she explained.

Fauziah corrected the negative perception about polygamy in the Global Ikhwan and OWC.

According to her, polygamy is not widespread in the organisation, even if the Polygamy Club and OWC operate under Global Ikhwan.

“If Global Ikhwan has about 4,000 staff members, the polygamous ones are only around 300,” she told Malaysiakini .

She said that the people who practice polygamy in the organisation usually consist of those leading jemaah at a certain capacity.

Fauziah explained that they would only be polygamous after receiving proposals from Ashaari Muhammad, a leader who has the ability to recognise people’s characteristics “emotionally and spiritually”.

After Ashaari’s death, that decision would have to be approved by the highest jemaah leader.

“We have to take care of polygamy, and we will only choose people who have met the requirements because they need to be responsible towards their families,” she said.

Part 1: OWC 'not used to boost Al-Arqam offshoot'

Part 2: 'Obedient Wives' can't see rape in marriage

Part 3: Hudud not a solution, says Obedient Wives Club

 

This interview was conducted by Jimadie Shah Othman, Ahmad Fadli KC and Siti Sara Ghazie.