SIS drops 'Islam' from its name following Selangor ruler's urging

Summary

• Sisters in Islam announces that it would drop the word “Islam” and just be called SIS Forum (Malaysia), following the Selangor sultan’s urging to do so.

• Its executive director, Rozana Isa, says the decision was made during an extraordinary general meeting held on July 11.

• Despite the changes, Rozana says her team remains committed to advocating for gender equality and justice in Islamic family law.

Sisters in Islam announced that it would drop the word “Islam” and just be called SIS Forum (Malaysia), the organisation’s registered name, after the Selangor ruler urged the organisation to do so.

“The decision was made following an extraordinary general meeting held on July 11.

“From now on, we will sign off as SIS Forum (Malaysia), the organisation’s registered name. 

“We hope this puts an end to the long-standing contention over our name and allows us to go forward in good faith with all parties,” said its executive director, Rozana Isa, in a statement today.

On June 19, the Federal Court ruled that the Selangor religious authorities were wrong to issue a fatwa declaring SIS as deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings.

In a 3-1 majority decision, the panel of four judges, chaired by then-chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, allowed the women’s rights group’s appeal to set aside the appellate court and High Court decisions on a 2014 fatwa.

The court stated that the Federal Constitution only gives power to the authorities over “persons professing the religion of Islam”, not companies.

However, part of the fatwa was upheld with the court ruling that it was within the Selangor religious authorities’ purview to issue the fatwa declaring any individual who subscribed to liberalism and religious pluralism as deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings.

Subsequently, Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah expressed disappointment and regret over part of the Federal Court’s ruling and urged the NGO to stop using “Sisters in Islam” in its publications.

Sultan Sharafuddin said that the “misuse” of the word “Islam” in the name and publications of SIS Forum (Malaysia) could cause confusion among the Muslim community.

‘Our commitment remains’

On that note, Rozana explained that “Sisters in Islam” was initially used as SIS’ pen name to reflect its role as an organisation that advocates for justice and equality for Muslim women in Malaysia.

Despite the changes, Rozana said her team remains steadfast in their commitment to advocating for gender equality and justice in Islamic family law.

“At the end of the day, it is the work we do for Muslim women and for Malaysian citizens that matters most,” she stressed.

Rozana said for far too long, SIS’ work has been misinterpreted and misunderstood by some quarters, adding they are not challenging Islam but seeking better protection for Muslim women under the law.

“Issues such as unpaid nafkah (maintenance), divorce and polygamy done outside of court processes, rising cases of domestic violence, and the lack of gender-sensitive interpretation of Islamic legal provisions continue to affect Muslim women across the country.

“These concerns are real and systemic. They demand attention, not dismissal,” she added.

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