KUALA LUMPUR – The PAS-led state of Terengganu has provoked repercussions in the sports industry, raising concern among gender equality advocates.
Terengganu’s ruling is said to constitute a grave infringement on women’s right to partake in recreational activities, including sports, a right enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Female gymnasts are disallowed from participating in the upcoming Sukma, citing concerns over their attire, prompting a profound reflection on the core principles of freedom of choice for female Malaysian-Muslim athletes.
Sisters in Islam said in a press statement today that unwarranted scrutiny not only hampers their growth but also confines them to the periphery, impeding their journey towards realising their full potential.
“Consider, for instance, Farah Ann Hadi, a Malaysian gymnastics champion who weathered a barrage of criticism directed at her gymnastic attire.
“Despite her exceptional accomplishments on the global stage, she endured disparaging remarks solely on the grounds of her costume.
“Such baseless critiques should not overshadow the undeniable talent and unwavering dedication exhibited by these athletes,” the statement said.
A suggested alternative of transitioning to wushu, a Chinese martial art, is said to be viewed as forcing athletes into an entirely different sport, which belittles their unwavering dedication and raises questions about their freedom to choose their preferred discipline.
Sukma is an important platform for young and upcoming athletes to exhibit their talents in order to be selected into the national level set-up. Suppressing female athletes’ aspirations and excluding Muslim female gymnasts from their beloved sport is said to cast a shadow on Malaysia’s reputation, both domestically and globally.
“We are concerned about the potential wider implications of this decision, such as reduced participation of female athletes in national and international competitions, loss of talent, increased discrimination, and damage to Malaysia’s reputation,” said Sisters in Islam.
Recently, the Terengganu government announced its intention to strengthen and enforce a “shariah-compliant” dress code for Muslim visitors at key tourist attractions like Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian.
This code will be enforced at all entrances into the state, which is said to possibly have detrimental effects on Malaysia’s economy.
Sisters in Islam also stated that in a country undergoing a process of Islamisation driven by political Islam, it is a source of deep disappointment that PAS and religious figures harbour doubts regarding the ability of Muslim women in Malaysia to make informed choices about their attire and actions.
“It is high time we acknowledge that women possess the wisdom and discernment to live as devout individuals without the need for excessive oversight.
“Only through such recognition can we genuinely advance as a nation that upholds the rights and amplifies the voices of all its citizens, irrespective of gender,” the organisation stated. – October 9, 2023