MIB concept sensitive to women's rights

BRUNEI Darussalam's philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) has ensured that women's rights in the country are parallel to the rights of men, in line with requirements stipulated in the Quran and Sunnah.

This was among the resolutions presented yesterday during the closing ceremony of the international conference on 'Rights of Muslim Women in the Modern World' at the BRIDEX Hall in Kg Jerudong.

Delivered by Hjh Siti Zaliha Hj Abd Salim, a lecturer from Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA), another resolution stated that Islam has given great attention to the rights of women in its legal framework.

"It is a form of recognition for the importance of the position of women and their relations in all aspects of life," she said.

Hjh Siti Zaliha went on to elaborate that Islam has granted rights to women with justice and blessings, hence the prestigious position of women in the religion. She described the Islamic tenets as "fair and reasonable".

"Islamic tenents do not condone despotism and other wrong doings, neither are Islamic tenents prejudiced or chauvanistic," she stated.

The lecturer also called upon the husbands and husbands-to-be to learn about the marital rights and responsibilities of each spouse to prevent the infringement of rights. She pointed out that it is also vital for husbands to comperehend the differences between men and women.

In order to ensure that women's rights are fulfilled in marital terms, Hjh Siti Zaliha urged women to consider the magnitude of marriage registrations.

"The (resolution) explains to women the importance of registration of marriage, so that the rights of women and other members of the family are not victimised," she said, adding that Muslim women should beware of teachings that are foreign to the sacred religion of Islam.

She further called on Muslim women to be proud of their identities and to defend the Islamic religion, "so that they stand strong in their faith".

More than 150 people attended the international conference on 'Rights of Muslim Women in the Modern World', which was organised by UNISSA at BRIDEX Hall in Jerudong yesterday.

The two-day event was graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah. The Brunei Times