Obedient Wives Club invites controversy, again
It embarks on an unusual campaign to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
(New Straits Times) – THE Obedient Wives Club (OWC) is courting controversy with its unusual campaign to honour the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on Feb 5, or 12th Rabiul Awal in the Islamic calendar.
The campaign Rasulullah Tokoh Seks Suci Islam, aimed at redressing the growing moral decay among Muslims, will kick-off today at their headquarters in Pelangi Square, Damansara from 9am to noon with talks and an exhibition. It will be on for 12 days until the prophet’s birthday.
It is, however, a closed-door event for invited guests and the local media.
OWC’s spokesman Zaiton Omar when contacted yesterday, said they were disturbed with the growing trend of homosexuality and gay marriages and cited the recent case of a former Petronas-sponsored student who married his gay lover in Ireland.
“There are too many unhealthy elements in our society nowadays and we want to do something to right the wrong.
“We chose the prophet as he is revered and had led an exemplary life, and we want other Muslims to follow his way of life.”
She said they deliberately chose the title despite knowing it would cause a stir among Muslims.
“The prophet is the perfect example … he had 11 wives and the campaign will be perfect to celebrate his birthday.”
Perak Mufti, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, felt the title was insulting to the prophet who had bequeathed a legacy of a great leadership by example to human civilisation.
“He was also portrayed as a good and sincere husband,
“The title is an insult to Islam and the prophet. OWC should change it and point out instead that the prophet was a good husband,” he said.
He said the public’s perception on sex topics would often be negative.
“Even in the Quran, there are no references to the prophet as a sexual figure or idol.”
The OWC is no stranger to controversies since last June when its vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamed told Muslim wives here to be obedient to their husbands and to serve them like a “first-class prostitute” to prevent the men from straying.
The OWC, which has 1,000 members — 800 of whom are Malaysians, has since received brickbats from women’s rights groups and the public.
Founded by Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd, an off-shoot of the now defunct Al-Arqam movement, OWC has branches in Indonesia, Singapore and Jordan.
