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audience has been responsive and supportive when Q&A
session was opened to the floor.

The session after the lunch break was moderated by
Prof. Datin Dr Faridah Jalil, a Law Professor at Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia. This session was specifically
allocated to Prof. Najma Moosa, UIM’s invited speaker from
South Africa. She is a Senior Professor at the Department of
Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape,
South Africa. Prof. Najma has enlightened us on the topic of
“The Rights of Muslim Women as a Religious Minority in a
Secular South Africa”. Her in-depth presentation highlights
of women as clearer and established system was already among others detailed analysis on the current Constitution
in placed. There are remarkable similarities between the under the post-apartheid South African Law which has
teaching of Islam and the modern Convention on human formally guarantees equality to all its citizens, regardless
rights. For example, in the ICCPR, family is a fundamental of religion, sex or gender. The Constitution has guaranteed
group “social unit” and need to be protected. both freedom of religion and makes provision for Muslim
marriages to be formally and separately recognized
Former Mufti of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and within the context of equality. Muslim Marriages Bill has
a Senior Honorary Fellow of UIM, YBhg. Dato’ Haji Wan been in place since 2010. The Bill is essentially Shari’ah
Zahidi Wan Teh presented a paper on the “Peranan Wanita compliant and there appears to be sufficient leeway in
Dalam Islam” (The Role of Women in Islam). He compared the Constitution for it to operate within South African
the position of women as an individual and in the social law. Inevitably, with recognition some reform will have to
hierarchy during pre-Islamic and post-Islamic era. During follow in order to comply with constitutional guarantees
the Persian Civilisation, France Revolution, Vatican Council, of equality. Hence, recognition continues to remain a
in the Old Agreement and the old English Law in the 17th challenge. Recently, in September 2016, in a bid to speed
and 18th Century, women were regarded as objects of no up the process of recognition, a women’s NGO lodged yet
value in all aspects of their life. Dato’ Wan Zahidi further another application in the High Court seeking to oblige
stressed that the key to true happiness in a marriage lies in the government to enact the Bill. The case was postponed
the hand of the wife, as she is the source of calmness in a to March 2017. Prof. Najma’s presentation has provided a
family. A wife also suffers more during pregnancy until her broad exposition of the position in South Africa in order to
children reach adulthood. ascertain whether recognition is necessary to improve the
current position of Muslim women.
Women, according to him has played various roles in Islam,
not necessarily in the family, but also professionally. One The final session, moderated by Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik
of the roles was in upholding the religion. Amongst the Saleh, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Shari’ah and
prominent examples are Sumayyah Al Khuyyat, Nusaibah, Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, presents two highly
Al Syifa’ Al Adawiyyah, Sayyidatina Aisyah R.A., Sayyidatina respected academia. The first speaker was YBhg. Prof.
Ummu Salamah R.A., Zubaidah Jaafar, and Al Hafia, to Datin Dr Raihanah Abdullah, Dean of the Humanities
name a few. This session was moderated by the Head Research Cluster and Professor of Shari’ah and Law,
of Islamic Heritage Programme of UIM, Prof. Dr Adel M. Academy of Islamic Studies, University Malaya (UM) with
Abdulaziz Algeriani. her topic, “Principles on Gender Equality”. Deliberated in
her speech was regarding the misconception of gender
Next session was The Special Forum on Successful equality and when equality is assessed based on identical
Professional Women which was moderated by the member right for both gender. ‘Gender equality’, according to her,
of Malaysian Bar Council Disciplinary Committee and a is not a new concept, but has been advocated by Islam
member of the National Bioethics Council, Assoc. Prof. Dr since Allah revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad
Anisah Che Ngah. (PBUH) 1400 years ago. The Arabic term for ‘equality’ is
musawah – a principle that has been upheld in the religion
The first speaker of the Forum, Founder and CEO of Sri since the very beginning. This is most evident in the
Munawwarah Design Sdn. Bhd., YBhg. Dato’ Tuan Hasnah Qur’an itself, which in numerous places emphasizes that
Tuan Yusoff who narrated the pathway of her career to men and women were created from the same substance
where she is now. Her struggles of her past life to her future and process. Subsequently, the divine revelation also
undertakings was discussed throughout her presentation. considers the actions of both men and women as being
of equal worth and that both genders shares the same
Puan Norashikin Shaharudin, the General Manager of moral responsibilities towards their Creator. According to
Yayasan Bank Rakyat asserted that the prejudice against her, In Islam, both genders are considered as privileged
women bosses would always be present. She stressed to partake in every manner of opportunities, whether in
that she was able to attain her current position due to employment, education, and even the political sphere,
perseverance and hard work. She is now working hand- fitting within their roles that are most suitable to their
in-hand with other male and female co-workers. The specific strengths and weaknesses within the family unit