Islamic Laws Discriminating Against Women Need Review

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Dr Mahathir Series
Mahathir Says Islamic Laws Discriminating Against Women Need Review
BERNAMA Online
Thursday, November 5, 2009


Bernama report: “Laws Discriminating Women Should Be Studied - Dr M”

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Laws which discriminate women should be studied, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday.
The former prime minister said that in a Muslim community, there were certain Islamic injunctions which needed to be studied -- whether they were truly Islamic or not -- which discriminated against women.

Fortunately, he said that in Malaysia, it was not so bad, unlike other Islamic countries. “Freedom of Muslims in this country is far greater than other Islamic countries, and in some instances, non-Islamic countries,” he said, agreeing that laws which discriminated against women should be studied.
Dr Mahathir was replying to a question by a representative of Sisters in Islam who had asked whether laws which did not reflect the change of women`s role in society, where women were now partners instead of being dominated, should be changed. He was speaking at the Perdana Leadership Foundation`s Tenth Perdana Discourse Series titled, `The Role of Women and Youth in National Development` here today. While delivering his keynote address at the event, Dr Mahathir also noted a disturbing pattern where men were apparently more laidback and less serious about their professional lives and contribution to society, as a whole. “There will be a shift of power and authority between the two genders. When you allow another person to do your work, you will become dependent on them, especially when they can do so much better.

“That`s what is happening (now), the men are no longer independent, they`re dependent.


“Of course, if we allow this to go on, the dependence of men will increase, independence of women will increase and eventually, they (women) will dominate society and the men will lose their position of authority,” he explained.
According to Dr Mahathir`s observations, this could, in time, lead to greater social disorder.

Malaysia`s Mahathir: Administration by Muslims Must Be Guided by Islamic Values
BERNAMA Online
Monday, October 26, 2009

Bernama report: “An Islamic administration must respect laws: Dr M”
An administration led by Muslims must be guided by Islamic values and be fair in all matters, free from corruption, respect laws and show concern for all communities, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.


As such, he said, having a good administration when in power was important to ensure Islam grew well and non-Muslims did not keep away from Muslims.


“If we can do this, the benefits will be great, among them understanding of Islamic teachings will increase besides the people being more willing to listen to the administration,” he said at Perkim`s (Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation) 48th annual general meeting at a hotel here today.


Mahathir, who has been Perkim president since 2006, said when Islamic administrations were smeared with cruelty, power abuse, corruption, inefficiency, oppression of others and the like, others will have a negative perception of Islam.


“Today, there isn`t a single Islamic country that can be said to be a developed nation. And again there some who hold the view that progress of Islamic countries is not important.


“But we have witnessed the fate of many Islamic nations because of their backwardness. They are forced to beg, ask for help from others and as a result are often manipulated by their benefactors who might in reality be their enemies,” he said.


He said Islamic countries and Islam will only be respected if they were progressive, like in the Golden Age of Islam.


Mahathir said Perkim`s role in propagating Islam was also very clear in that before trying to bring Islam to the public, its members must be shining examples of the values and teachings of the religion.


“It is important for Muslims to be successful in all fields, social, economics, politics and others to attract attention, increase understanding and respect for Islam and not only that, also open the hearts of non-Muslims to get to know the religion and all the good it stands for,” he added.


(Description of Source: Kuala Lumpur BERNAMA Online in English -- Website Malaysia`s state-controlled news agency. Known for in-depth coverage of national and international political issues; URL: http://www.bernama.com)