DAP Wanita national assistant publicity secretary Syerleena Abdul Rashid has criticised the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for "demonising" vocal women.
"Jakim has a history of singling out so-called ‘enemies of Islam’ and demonising those who disagree with them.
"Once again, choosing not to address abuse of power or kleptocracy, Jakim had chosen to demonise 'loud' women instead.
"What needs to be addressed is how government-sanctioned platforms that could have been used to preach tolerance, love and respect are instead being used to spread evil gospels that preach hatred and overzealous bigotry," she said in a statement today.
Syerleena was responding to the Friday sermon text prepared by Jakim yesterday, which claimed some women championing for equal rights were influenced by propaganda aimed at sullying Islam.
"They raise 'hot' issues about rights to justice and fairness for women, such as welfare, status of women, their role from a spiritual perspective, right to participate in politics, gender equality, legal rights, violence, the wearing of hijab and women's position in the Quran.
"The basis of these views are influenced by propaganda with certain agendas aimed at sullying Islam," read the text which was read out at mosques in the Federal Territories.
Syerleena lamented about sermons cautioning about "enemies of Islam", stressing that Muslims were not" under siege" as claimed.
"For years, Jakim had magnificently coined the term ‘enemies of Islam’ which has become an ‘umbrella boogeyman’ used to refer so-called deviants and apostates of Islam.
"If Jakim truly claims that its brand of Islam is one that promotes tolerance and should be seen as a blessing to all, it should engage in rational discourse and more so, welcome these brave women for championing these issues," she said.- Mkini
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