Women As Judges in Muslim Jurisdiction: Part One

Women As Judges in Muslim Jurisdiction

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Malaysian-Islamic-courts-appoint-first-women-judges/articleshow/6143097.cms

I am thrilled that our Syariah Family Court now has appointed women as judges, finally. Before this, other women groups including Sisters In Islam have pushed for the appointment of women as Judges in the Syariah Family Court. In Malaysia’s dual legal system, Malaysian women have been appointed to serve as judges in the civil courts – in the High Courts the 80’s and in the lower courts since the 60’s.

The Syariah Courts have jurisdiction over Muslim and family law is the main area of jurisdiction. The appointment of women judges in Muslim countries remains a controversial issue, due to a general perception that such appointment might not be in conformity with the shariah. There is no clear nass or authority in the textual sources example the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w) that allows or disallows women to be appointed as judges. Several juristic interpretations of these sources discriminate against women, going against the spirit of Gender Equality. There are various examples of the participation of women throughout Muslim history that support the view that women are capable of becoming leaders (judges)

During Prophet (s.a.w) and the rightly-guided Caliphs.

Women Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w) were not confined to their homes. They participated in all profession and took part in activities ranging from politics to religion. Some were very accomplished and sought after for consultation and lived independently. It was only much later that women came to be confined to the home and people generally began to believe that their main role in life was to bear children and to do housework.

For instance, it is a well-established historical fact that the Prophet consulted Salma (r.a) on the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaybiya.

http://www.islamanswers.net/moreAbout/Hudaybiya.htm

During the battle of Uhud, women including the Prophet’s wives actively helped the wounded. The women participated freely in the affairs of war and some even participated in actual combat.

Aishah r.a has been known to have corrected Abu Hurairah with regards to traditions that were in conflict with the Quran. She was consulted on her knowledge of the Sunnah by the believers.

During the other periods in Muslim history.

Hurrah Malikah Arwa’ bint Ahmad headed the administration of the province of Yemen on behalf of the Fatimid Calioh of Egypt. Three of Fatimid Caliphs, Mastansir, Must’ali and Amir, reposed faith in her and gave her a free hand to govern Yemen. She was held in high esteem by all three. The last of the three Calips, Amir even appointed her hujjah (the highest religious office under the Fatimid hierarchy.)

Any references in the Qur’an to accomplished women during the periods of the earlier Prophets?

The Qur’an itself has a special category of women who performed unique function from the perspective of the Qur’an and humanity. As per mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah 2:35, Surah an-nisa 4:1, Surah Al-A’raf 7:19-23

Maryam (Mary) mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus) a.s. were mentioned in Surah al-Imran 3:6 and 37, Surah Maryam 19:16-34, Surah al-Tahrim 66:12. She was classified as “one of the qanitin”, as per mentioned in Surah 66:12 a word that uses the masculine plural form to indicate one devout to Allah. There is no reason not to use the feminine plural form qanitat, except to emphasize that the significance of Maryam’s example is for all who believe, regardless of gender.

Balqis, Queen of Sheba, in surah 27:23-44. The Qur’anic story of Balqis celebrates both her political and religious wisdom. The Queen’s wisdom in politics is demonstrated by her recognition that the letter from Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) a.s. was “worthy of respect”, (Surah Naml 27:30) and her religious wisdom is demonstrated in her submission in Islam with Sulaiman. (Surah Naml 27:44)

Socio-historical circumstances and female participation

In having the clearer perspective on the historical position of women in Muslim civilization, comparison with the historical position of women in Western civilization can be made. Socio-historical circumstances in the past tent to limit women’s role in almost all society both in the West as well in the East.

Many thought that Muslim advocates of women’s right are being westernized or influence by the West yet it is the original Islamic teachings which upgraded the status of women and rescued them from operation and injustice suffered in pre-Islamic Arabia and various other historical civilisations.

Historical Background of Women’s Rights in The Western World?

On family Law, reforms in favour of women only began to take place in the latter half of the 19^th century. Under English Common Law, a wife had no capacity to hold property in her own name and everything she posses become her husband’s after marriage. The act of Parliament which begin to altering the common law position to allow married women to own property was only in acted in 1882 (The Married Women’s Property Act 1882).

Under the civil law, a married women was also denied direct access to the courts as she was incapable of suing or being sued in her own name. She could only sue and be sued through her husband. Law reform in the 20^th century brought about statutes such as the married Women and Tortfeaser Act 1935, declaring that a married women was capable of suing of being sued.

In 1928, the age of women voters lowered to 21 to place them on an equal footing with male voters thanks to the Women’s Social and Political union (was formed in 1903) and women activists known as “Suffragettes”. The idea of women’s suffrage in Great Britain is to have the right to vote in parliamentary elections was not taken seriously until the early years of the 20^th century.

The suffragettes held public demonstration and fought hard for voting rights. The government attempted to suppress the movement the movement by arresting and imprisoning the suffragettes on charge of disturbing the peace. However, at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, these women leaders called off the suffrage campaign and offered their services to the government in the war effort.

The government then released all suffragette prisoners and the women activist devoted their efforts to aiding the national cause, especially by working in military hospitals, ammunitions, factories and farms. Toward the end of the war in 1918, the Representation of the People Act gave the vote to a limited numbers of women and because 1918 Act, women voters of the aged 30 and above can vote.

Muslim jurist stand on the issue of women’s judicial capacity.

Arguments in the medieval Islamic legal discourse that sought to locate the source of gender-based distinction against women not within the biological nature of women but in specific social circumstances. These include women’s marginalization in political context and the role that women played within those social circumstances.

A witness’s testimonial and a judge’s verdict are both political because the consequences of each are immediate, tangible and binding. However, as noted by al-Qarafi, courts faced difficulties in enforcing the law. More generally, men (including him) in 13^th century Egyption society viewed women as being inferior to men. Therefore, is a greater likelihood that the losing party will not respect a court decision involving woman judge or witness.

If in the society where men would respect the decisions of the court and comply with court verdict regardless of the gender of the witnesses or the judges, there is no reason to exclude qualified women from being appointed as judges.

*sources: Women as Judges /by Nik Noraini Nik Badlishah & Yasmin Masidi.

"Ubah Silibus Tarik Pelajar Lelaki"

Oleh Sufi

http://utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0707&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_01.htm

Sedang aku melayari internet - mencari idea untuk blog aku, artikel ini sangat menarik minat aku untuk mengulas apa yang sedang rancak diperkatakan di kalangan kita. Sudah tentu, isu gender adalah fokus aku.

And so, to conclude bilangan pelajar perempuan lebih banyak daripada pelajar lelaki, and I quote daripada artikel tersebut, "Daripada 105,377 pelajar baru yang mendaftar, sebanyak 61,750 atau 58.6 peratus adalah pelajar wanita. Ini bermakna, persekitaran kampus-kampus universiti awam kita akan dibanjiri oleh pelajar wanita."

So?

Daripada zaman aku masuk universiti lagi pada tahun 2000, isu pasal pelajar perempuan membanjiri kampus-kampus sudah menjadi perkara lazim, dah biasa dengar. Tetapi, ironinya, kita masih membincangkan mengenainya seolah-olah ianya satu perkara yang baru. Oh! Adakah sepatutnya perempuan tempatnya MASIH di ceruk dapur?

As I recall, masa aku belajar subjek Sejarah zaman SPM dulu, ada aku terbaca mengenai Kaum Muda pada waktu itu sudah mula menyarankan supaya kaum perempuan patut memajukan diri mereka dalam arena pendidikan untuk menentang penjajah. Even orang dulu-dulu, zaman sebelum merdeka pun sedar dan sensitif tentang betapa pentingnya peranan wanita dalam perjuangan menentang penjajahan. Ada juga Kaum Muda (yang diterajui oleh kaum lelaki) yang inginkan santapan mereka yang bukan sahaja nasi dan lauk pauk dihidangkan oleh para isteri mereka malahan, buah fikiran dan pendapat bernas mengenai isu semasa.

And I quote again “Ia sekali gus menunjukkan lebih ramai wanita akan mendapat pekerjaan yang baik berbanding dengan lelaki. Mungkinkah fenomena tersebut akan menyebabkan wanita mengambil alih peranan lelaki dalam mencari rezeki untuk keluarga.”

“Mungkin juga lebih banyak kaum lelaki terpaksa menjadi 'suri rumah' apabila isteri-isteri mereka keluar bekerja. Ia kini sedang berlaku dan tidak hanya di negara kita, malah turut melanda seluruh dunia. Soalnya, adakah ia satu keadaan yang 'sihat' untuk masyarakat kita?”

Erk?! Bagi aku, fenomena “house-husband” tak ada kena mengena dengan seorang suami itu tidak mendapat pendidikan yang tinggi dan wanita mengambil alih untuk mencari rezeki demi keluarga. Ini soal pilihan dan apa yang seseorang itu, baik lelaki dan perempuan mahu dalam hidup mereka.

Seorang perempuan yang memilih untuk berusaha demi masa depan mereka, adalah didorang dengan perasaan ingin berdirikari dan pada mereka mungkin, mereka mahukan kehidupan yang lebih terjamin. Kita sudah disuntik dengan idea betapa pentingnya kita untuk lulus dalam peperiksaan, supaya kita dapat melanjutkan pelajaran di peringkat yang lebih tinggi dan dengan itu, kita boleh mendapatkan pekerjaan yang lebih baik dengan pendapatan yang lumayan.

Seperti yang telah dinyatakan oleh seorang pensyarah di Jabatan Antropologi dan Sosiologi, Fakulti Sastera dan Sains Sosial Universiti Malaya, Dr. Noor Sulastry Yurni Ahmad yang menegaskan bahawa kemasukan ke IPTA ditentukan oleh kelayakan akademik, bukannya keseimbangan jantina.

Menurutnya, pelajar wanita lebih cemerlang kerana mereka lebih rajin membaca, menghafal dan mentelaah pelajaran. Memandangkan sistem pendidikan kita lebih menjurus kepada tiga perkara tersebut, maka pelajar wanita yang secara lumrahnya lebih tekun dalam menghadapi pelajaran yang bercorak sedemikian lebih berjaya. Maka hasilnya mereka mampu meraih keputusan peperiksaan awam seperti Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia atau Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia yang lebih cemerlang berbanding dengan pelajar lelaki.

"Dari aspek psikologi, memang itulah sifat pelajar wanita. Sebab itulah juga, apabila mereka memohon masuk ke universiti, mereka lebih suka memilih bidang-bidang yang memerlukan banyak membaca dan menghafal seperti kesenian, kesusasteraan dan sains sosial," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia.

Menurutnya, pelajar lelaki pula lebih gemar kepada bidang-bidang yang tidak memerlukan mereka banyak membaca seperti kejuruteraan, arkitek, seni bina atau bio perubatan.

Kalau betullah sepeti yang dikatakan oleh Prof tersebut, maka bukankah sudah tiba masanya, sistem pendidikan di Negara kita patut diubah menurut arus perdana kini supaya, kedua-dua, kaum perempuan dan kaum lelaki sama-sama diberi peluang untuk meningkatkan diri melalui apa yang menjadi kekuatan mereka.

Stereotype gender masih lagi menjadi isu. Aku sebenarnya cuba memahami apa yang sedang berlaku dalam isu gender di Malaysia ni. Kita nampaknya, masih lagi belum cukup memahami peranan gender dalam masyarakat dan apa salahnya, dalam arus kemajuan kita pada zaman ini, subjek mengenai “kesamarataan gender” dipupuk di kalangan kanak-kanak dan remaja.

Soalnya kini, adakah berlaku diskriminasi terhadap perempuan apabila penawaran terhadap pelajar lelaki meningkat, dan permintaan terhadap pelajar perempuan menurun? Ini berlaku terutamanya, dalam mendapatkan pekerjaan. Jika direnungi, saingan pelajar perempuan lebih sengit dikalangan mereka berbanding dengan pelajar lelaki.

Ingin aku membawa perhatian kepada bilangan wanita yang berkerja dalam bidang undang-undang misalannya, bilangan Hakim Wanita dalam Perundangan Undang-undang Keluarga Islam di Malaysia amnya. Adakah anda tahu, bahawa sehingga kini, bilangan hakim wanita baru ada dua(2) atau mungkin tidak lebih dari lima(5) berbanding dengan beribu-ribu hakim lelaki dalam Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia? Kenapa ya? Adakah disebabkan tanggapan serong terhadap keupayaan wanita dalam mengadili sesuatu kes? Apa yang menyebabkan perkara ini terjadi?

Tidak cukup layakkah Peguam Wanita Muslim bagi diberi peluang untuk melayakkan mereka menjadi Hakim wanita di Mahkamah Syariah?

…akan dikupas isu itu kelak..

Create Your Little-Wow Everyday!!

"If I Die Young"

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colours, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls

Color Of Your Rainbow

When I listened to this song, I asked myself what else in this life I long to achieve? That I long to experience? To that moment, when I was call by God and close my eyes for the last time, I would say to myself, "You did great, Sufi..you did great.."

There is one guy inspired me by saying, "Sufi, rainbow has 7 colours, how many colour do you have and you want to have?"

I was stunned by his words and it never crossed my mind until I realize that, there is a lot of things in my life that I want to achieve and I don't want to have a life just to wake up and to do my routine and sleep at night, and do the same thing in the next morning. On one sweet day, I would just realize “wow, time flies.. That’s it?! I’m 60 years old granny and I just live my life the same, everyday?”

525,600 minutes

If God want to give my life until I’m 60 years old, so I have another less than 30 years to live. 525,600 minutes per year. Every minutes count and important. The question is, how do I want to make the time of my life to be meaningful and worth living? Who do I need to be to upgrade the quality of life that I long to have.

Sometimes, we feel empowered to live our life larger and bigger because of the dream that we wish may come true. However, reality checked nothing in this world come easy, especially when we always said to ourself that we are not good enough to achieve what we want. We put so much energy on what we CAN’T rather than what we CAN. And then again, don’t you think that is just your belief?

My point of view is, from a woman perspective, nothing in this world can chain us because at the end of the, we are measured by love that we share with others. Just open you heart and your mind and witness the miracles that you have created by making a stand to others. The quality of life that we deserve to have is in the matter of whether we want it or not and we are aware of our choices.

Some women choose to be a full-time housewife and raise her children. Although, she have the education that most girls wish to have, but, she is exercising her choice and give 100% attention to her family. Some of them choose to have that life and sacrificed her dreams and we, as their loves one, could encourage her to live the life that she dream of. See what is possible for her and invite her to have a taste of goodness of life that she deserved.

Consideration

Thousand of reasons were given to sabotaging our dreams. The truth that were lay in front of us, has been covered because we don’t want to face up and handle it. We may feel like other thing is much more important than ourself and that’s why we live the life that we comfort to live by. What kind of stretch that we need to do in order we, could raised the bar and upgrade the quality of life that we demands of? And we simply answered that by asking, “Who’s going to handle the consideration for us?”

Consideration will always be there, that is our mountain that we need to climb. There will be another mountain that we need to climb so that, we could go to the other side. And may, that be our little-wow, bit by bit we conquer our consideration so that, at the end of the day, we really said “kudos to me for having such a WOW-life..”

Be Close To You

Close to you.

I asked myself, who is the closest person to me? Families? Or Friends? Who really have that intimacy feelings with me and really know and understand about me? Who have really connected to me in a way like I felt so near and so meaningful? The one that really look at me, so deep, so pure and so intense until can touch the deeper core inside of me?

There is none other people except for myself.

To have think about it lately, I am feeling frustrated to have known that I have not seen the best of myself. When I at myself into the mirror, I asked, “Who is this woman looking at me?” and “Who she wants to be?” I smiled. It never crossed my mind to have an intimacy with myself. To really search what do I want and why this life is meaningful to me?

Every single day of my life, I lived and time goes by. I never really noticed how precious the time is. Then, I took things for granted. Many of us took things for granted. Because, that is how our life is, until it’s too late and no turning back of time. Do you know that within a year we spend how many hours? How many minutes? But do you know that this time meant nothing if we don’t put our 100% being and values to life.

We heard of wisdom words for example; time is money and we rush to get things done and we got hooked by the materials until we forget about a lot of human things that relate to us. We tend to neglect our loves one, and ourselves. How often do you spend time to look real deep into yourself? And refresh your views, your principles and your believe. Be close to you and put some loving to you and remind yourself that you is important without being selfish.

When we get hurt, we focused out to the person who hurt us but, never look at ourselves, never look at our fault. And when you put the blame on other people, does it make you feel good about yourself? Does it make you feel right? Does that feeling make you feel better? We are all human and we all make mistake. Faced up and face the truth.

You can make a different to your life by just be, human. Admit that we are not perfect and find ways to uplift your life. Stop being a victim and be able to stand on your feet and get to know yourself better because, life is so wonderful you are actually be open and get close to your heart.

Forgive yourself for all the things that you have said and done. Yes. Beat yourself up does not change the past and took the learning for your own benefits. Being a woman sometimes, I feel vulnerable and I use that feeling to make me stronger and tough to overcome the challenge that storm in my life. I thank to my close family and friends who support and loves me. That makes us wiser.

Do you know sometimes, when we pray to God, we ask for strength and courage, we are grounded. We say what we want and we received because we allowed that to happen. Only when we closed our mind, our heart, we hardly see the best that we could be.

So, friends and love one, just remember that the only person that really can love you is yourself and yourself alone can control your emotion and your action. It’s your choice to love and to be love, to be connected to the people around you. And it’s your choice to be close to you.

Am I Less A Muslim Without Hijab?

*This article is written based on a few opinions with regard to hijab and the writer acknowledged the finding points of views. The answer is in you.

One sweet day, me and two my Muslim girlfriends, Mastura and Sheila (both not real name) were having coffee and chit chat about life and one friend suddenly said, "Wearing hijab might have been a mistake for me. I don't feel like it's made me become a better Muslim because I feel like I'm deceiving people when they look at me as an example even though I'm still struggling with a lot of things," She continued, "However, if I take it off, is it really something Allah will punish me for? It seems like such a petty thing. Isn't the most important thing is to have a clean pure heart?"asked Mastura. Mastura starts wearing hijab when she is in high school which wearing hijab is mandatory to all Muslim girl. Since then, she starts wearing it but, she did take it off sometimes when she hangs out clubbing with other friends.

Another friend sharing her views, "I disliked the thought of covering my beautiful hair and my parents never forced me to wear it. It doesn't even help when my closest friends in school are non-Muslim and they always commented to me about how pretty I looked without my hijab. As my mother started wearing hijab in her 40's, I assumed that I would start wearing it when I get older," said Sheila (not her real name) Aged 26. She starts wearing hijab when she was 18 years old after her father passed away.

Her father's death made her realized that life is short and she could die before making her decision to wear hijab. "The thought of what if I fail to repent my sin for not wearing a hijab before I die lingered in my mind for several days. My sisters wear hijab and they advised me that I should start to wear it too so that I can be closer to Allah and pray for my father,"

And I asked, "If you're not wearing hijab, isn't going to make a different to your prayer and the love that you have for your late father?"

Sheila pause before answered it, "It’s accrued to me that, 'how can I expect Allah to forgive my father's sins if I continue to sin by not wearing a hijab'. This logical reasoning was the reason I started to change. Even though I do my prayers, fast in Ramadan, and be kind to people, Allah will love me whether or not I wear a hijab. Allah has given me so many blessings in life and I can't even do something as simple as putting a cloth over my head for Him?"

Mastura: What is the intention of us wearing hijab? For me, it is to get closer to God. But, when people imposed a hijab upon us, I feel like, it’s a burden. And it's not real thing for me.

Sheila: The most important thing is for us to have purified hearts. Allah emphasizes this in the Quran when He states that on the Day of Judgement nothing will be of benefit to the servant except "one who brings to Allah a clean, sound heart" (26:89). The question is, how does one achieve that? What purifies us and cleanses our hearts?

Me: So what you saying are by having a pure heart you can get closer to God?

Sheila: Purifying our hearts is the goal, but the means to reaching that goal is through the very real and specific physical prescriptions and commandment that Allah has given us. It is through His obedience and through following the teachings of our religion that we clean and polish our hearts. It is for this reason that I have to say hijab is not something trivial. Anything that leads us to spiritual awareness, elevation, and purification - that helps us come closer to Allah, cannot be considered trivial or petty. Perhaps it is more likely that there are hidden depths within it that we do not perceive, or that we are not putting it in the proper context of its deeper and meaning.

Me: I get you. However, can we have pure heart without wearing hijab AND get closer to God?

Sheila: For me, by wearing hijab, simply saying that 'I am a Muslim', meaning - I am someone who is trying to follow this religion, who accepts it as truth, sees beauty in it and hopes to beautify myself with it.

Me: I think what a person needs, is a steady and constant diet of good deeds and spiritual nourishment. We cannot rely on one particular deed to 'make' us better Muslim. A feeling of happiness at doing something good for the sake of Allah and energy to do more, improve us. What is the point of wearing hijab when your heart is struggling what is real to you?

Mastura: I am struggling to answer that question when, I don’t have the opportunity to decide what is real for me.

Sheila: What stopping you from decided what is real for you, then? You scared what 'other' people think about you when you decided to take off your hijab permanently?

Me: Yeah, Mas. Are they control your life or you, yourself?

Mastura: The society does give impact to me. My family and also my friend. If we notice our society today, many wear hijab because they want to be accepted in the community. Because, it's normal to see a Muslim girl wearing hijab and for others, not wearing hijab is seen as committed a sin.

Me: We are sinners, wearing or not wearing. The amount of iman only Allah knows and that is between each of us with God.

Sheila: Wearing hijab to me, bring more good than evil. But, wearing hijab can be evil when the intention is not pure from heart. We usually mislead and judge people based on the appearance.

Me: It’s not that when I wore hijab makes me a better Muslim because at first, my intention is to make my family happy. They thought that if I wore hijab I would behave like a typical Muslim girl.

Mastura: Why are you taking off then? Are you not behaving like a “typical Muslim girl”?

Me: It’s not the issue Mastura. The issue was I have been suppressed by exercising my decision – I wasn’t allowed to decide what is best for me., because other people want to be right. I have no issue when most Muslim women decided to wear hijab, they really know what she is doing and what is her intention of doing it is merely because they want to get closer to God. What’s wrong of wearing a modesty cloth without hijab? Can’t they be aligned with intention; be good, do good and say good.

Sheila: The reason hijab is imposed to the Muslim women is to protect their dignity - to level up the status of the women.

Mastura: Or, is it to protect men’s interest? Many of my Muslim friends, when they get married, they decided to wear hijab as what their husband requested them to. Owh, another friend of mine married and for her to be accepted fully by the husband’s family, she need to wear hijab. What’s funny, she only wore it when she was with the family. Wasn’t that looks like a hypocrite?

Me: Oh, well… whenever I reach my parents’ home, I have to cover my head with hijab because, I am not allowed to take it off. I felt guilty but, I don’t want to be someone that I’m not. I have to face up that wearing hijab is not my choice. Not for now.

Sheila: If not now, then when?

Me: Are you agreed that in Islam, there is no force? Tak ada paksaan dalam Islam. Every word and action must be aligned with our intention and the intention is because of God. But, now wearing a hijab is a labeled, is identity. For me, as long as a Muslim women, wore a modesty cloth and behave morally, is good. She has a right to choose. Wearing hijab is a personal choice.

Sheila: Wasn’t wearing hijab is wajib to every each of Muslim women?

Mastura: Cover your aurat is wajib but, to what extant is women’s aurat?

Sheila: Our face and two of our palms.

Me: There is a surah in the Quran stated for the women to cover their bosom but did not precisely pointing out about cover their hair. It's in our interpretation.

Sheila: Wearing a hijab don’t hurt you instead boost up your value as a women.

Me: What boost up my value as a woman is how I behave and how much I protect myself from committed evil. As far as I concerned, my action and my word determine what is best for me and anything I do is between me and my God. Islam promotes good and good shall I be. Wearing hijab or not, does not determined I am a better or less a Muslim. Everybody has a right to make their stand on how their religion makes them. I am practicing Islam they way I understand it and I believe in their teaching. If one day, I shall wear hijab just because, I want to and not I have to.

Sheila: It’s your choice definitely dear. And wearing hijab for me is my choice as well and I love wearing hijab.

Me: I’m glad you feel that way Sheila, and that is how it supposed to be. Mastura, seek what’s true in your heart and God will deliver to you, goodness and Allah knows best.

Mastura smiles.

*Writer notes: There is no right or wrong decision in life. It's only solid decision.

Hikayat Panji Semirang

I remember when I was in high school, I love to read story books. Any genre of books that interest me, I would read. One of the story that I read was Hikayat Panji Semirang. It's a classical story same like Sejarah Malayu, or Hikayat Hang Tuah kind of story where, other who don't have patient to read it, might have fallen asleep. What interest me in the story is taking from the gender point of view.

Hikayat Panji Semirang is perhaps the most popular among many of Panji tales. It lays down the foundational myth of the people and kingdoms of Java. it begins with the descent from the heavenly kingdom of the four semi-divine princes and princess who establish their own respective kingdoms on earth: Ratu Kuripan, Ratu Daha, Ratu Gegelang and Ratu Biku Gandasari. Among the four semi-divine rulers, it is Ratu Biku Gandasari who is most loved by the God Sang Hjang Djaganata and she is rewarded by him with supernatural powers, including an omniscient knowledge of all that happen on earth.

The central character of the tale is the Princess Galuh Chendera Kirana. She is the daughter to Ratu Daha, the King of Daha. Ratu Daha has a wife, Ratu Puspa Ningrat and two consorts (gundik) Mahadewi abd his favourite, Paduka Liku. Paduka Liku's daughther was the Princess Galuh Adjeng, while Galuh Chendera Kiraba is the daughter of the consort Mahadewi.

The relationship between the two princesses Galuh Chendera Kirana and Galuh Adjeng grows increasingly problematic over time, with both of them competing for the love and attention of their father Ratu Daha. Chendera Kirana is eventually courted by the Prince of Kuripan, Raden Inu Kartopati. This angers her half-sister Galuh Adjeng even more, and then letter begins to plot againgst her.

Finally, Paduka Liku and Galuh Adjeng manage to convince Ratu Daha taht Chendara Kirana is guilty of treason againgst her father. Having incurred the wratch of Ratu Daha, Chendera Kirana is sent into exile by her father, the King. Before that, she is brought to the court, publicly chastised and her hair is cut by him. Having stripped of her courtly title and honours, Chendera Kirana flees from the place and the kingdom of Daha along with her Mother, Mahadewi.

Put it the wilderness, Chendera Kirana vows to redeem herself and begins her life anew. With her hair cut short, she decided to assume the identity of a man and declares that henceforth, she will be known as the forlorn Prince Raden Panji Semirang Asmarantaka. She dons the attire of a prince and arms herself. Relocating to the frontier between the Kingdom of Daha and Kuripan, she establishes her own kingdom. Chendera Kirana, which soon attracts a large number of followers who migrate there, though none of her (his) subjects realise that Panji is in fact a woman in disguise.

Soon Panji Semirang develops the reputation of being a fierce and ambitious warrior-prince. She(he) declares war against the neighbouring states and orders her(his) troops to invade Kuripan. Panji also orders her(his) troops to kidnap the people of Kuripan and Daha who travel acroos her(his) land, and orders them to capture the beautiful virgins of Kuripan in particular and bring them to her(him).

Ultimately, Panji is also forced to confrant the prince of Kuripan, Raden Inu Kartopati in battle. The combat between the two ends in a stalemate as both are attracted to each other and fall in love, the latter assuming that Panji is actually a man. The homosexsual love affair between Raden Inu and Panji comes to an untimely end as Panji is forced to flee the court of Kuripan. Having lost his (male) lover, Raden Inu is asked by his father Ratu Kuripan to marry the princess Galuh Adjeng of Daha instead, who happens to be the sister of Galuh Chendera Kirana(Panji Semirang). Despite agreeing to the marriage, Raden Inu pines for his beloved Panji, whom he still takes to be a man.

Panji in turn takes her(his) retinue and settles on the slopes of Mount Wilis, where they encounter the princess Biku Gandasari, one of the semi-divine primal ancestors who were among the first to descend from Kayangan and populate Jawa. Ratu Biku Gandasari counsels Panji and her retinue, before setting them on the path down to the peopled valleys and lowlands. Once again Panji(Galuh Chendera on the identity of a man, this time as an entertainer, Gambuh Warga Asmara. Meanwhile Raden Inu, who is unable to cunsummate his marriage with Galuh Adjengdue to his love for Panji, also flees the court in search of his male lover. He too assumes another identity, as the prince Pangeran Panji Djajeng Kesuma.

Eventually Raden Inu (as Pangeran Panji Djajeng Kesuma) meets with his beloved Panji, who has now taken on the form of a male performer, Gambuh Warga Asmara. Struck by the familiar apprearance of Gambuh Warga Asmara, Raden Inu fervently courts her(him). Finally it is revelealed that Gambuh Warga Asmara(Panji Semirang is actually Galuh Chendera Kirana; and the two lovers are finally reunited.

The Hikayat ends with Galuh Chendera Kirana re-assuming her identity as a woman and Pangeran Pani Djajeng Kesuma re-assuming his identity as Raden Inu. Forsaking the kingdom of Daha, they both return to Kuripan, and rule the Kingdom together.

I miss you, girl.

As we walk our journey in life, we met a lot of human being. They offered their trust, their honesty, their love and a lot more..

I miss my bestfriend.

I have not be open to her and share how much I miss her and how much I love her. I have not share with her that I care a lot about her.

I start knowing her since we studying in Universiti Malaya and I have a bad experience with her in our fisrt week of orientation and since then, I pleadge myself not to get connected with her. I'm serious. Let me put it to you this way; She is typical controlled b*tch and boss around is what she do best and I was as blur as ever - typical nerd!!

Although, I know that by heart, she is a good friend but, I closed my heart for her. Period. If I saw her walking towards me, I will purposely take the other way as long as I did not bump into her. I don't hate her. It just that her being make me uncomfortable and what's funny, she never remember that incident and naively think, I was okay.

Well, some people say, "what you resist, presist." And, It changed my being towards her. That night, I saw her. She was so sad. Really sad. I felt something for her. Compassionate. Sincere. Care. And I offered her my friendship. A small note for her saying, "Whenever U need a friend, I will be there,"

I never expectating anything back from her but, that morning, she replied, "You are a friend indeed, and you are a friend in need.." I was overwhelm and feel excited. Okay, what's next? Life goes on. As time passed by, faith eventually work the way that both of us be bestfriend. What's funny, her mother are old friend to my dad. Both of them use to work together in Angkasapuri in 80-ies before, my dad shift to Prime Minister Department.

Both me and her have up and down. We share a lot of secrets, and and we care each other. She scolded me like I'm her younger sister if I being blur sometime. She is the most trusted friend that I ever had. We experience love, hurt, betrayal, determination, courages, new experience, bubu-moment, funny, sad, we kick ass each other, we have cat-fight sometimes and we make up after we break up.

But, last "hick-up".. hurt me so much. And I responsible for that. Thinking that, what kind of friend I am to her. And I selfishly ignore her point of view and rip her heart as well. Must be hurtful for her to receives such comment from me. And I, want to talk about having a life changing. I refuse to accept her point of view and thinking that she must be out of her head of making and having such decision.

I went overboard. I want to say sorry. But, sorry is hardest word to say. I lost a friendship in order for me to be right. And I don't do anything much to convince her that I am remorsely regret that by acting that way, she lose her trust in me.

I wish thing could be different and we could be connected again and things are back the way it were before.

...

I'm sorry. I miss you so much. Can you please forgive me? I need your friendship so bad. And my life never be the same without you supporting me.



Love,
Sufi.