SIS doesn’t feel need to be less controversial

(The Star) – SISTERS in Islam says it is unfazed by the criticism against it and does not feel the need to tone down and be less controversial in its fight for equality and justice.

“We are an activist group. Change does not come from tiptoeing or whispering in the right ears.

“We’ve been there and done that but it has not brought the changes we want.

“Outrage brings action and mobilises the people,” says Zainah Anwar of SIS.

She says it is quite natural that an individual or group that wants to bring change would be seen as confrontational.

“Facing resistance is part of the struggle to bring change. We don’t get into a panic because of it. This is something we expect when we do the work that we do. It just comes with the territory,” she says in a phone interview.

She maintains that the language and approach used by SIS is “par for the course”.

“We don’t see it as controversial because we are demanding and changing thousands of years of patriarchy or misogyny.

“But it is going to be seen as confrontational and controversial because men would like us to be quiet, submissive and listen to them who know best!”

For Zainah, SIS believes in a God that is just and that is an article of faith with them.

“And we feel outraged when things are done in the name of religion,” she says.

She points out that SIS does go out of its way to find allies and is happy to work with anyone who believes in justice and equality.

“We work with leaders like the former Terengganu Mufti who is now a judge and who always finds time to work with us. We work with quite a number of men with traditional religious authority,” she says.

As for the PAS resolution, she says SIS has received a lot of support over the issue and believes this is the result of the goodwill it has created through its work.

“We break the prejudice (on Islam) and Islamophobia. What we do gives people a positive image of Islam,” she says.