Kuala Lumpur – With utmost respect to the advice issued by the Sultan of Selangor on 20 June 2025 via His Royal Highness official Facebook page, (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/1233296/selangor-sultan-calls-sis-stop-using-islam-name), SIS Forum (Malaysia) formally announces that it has decided to drop the word “Islam” from its public-facing name. The decision was made following an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 11 July 2025. From now on, we will sign off as SIS Forum (Malaysia), the organisation’s registered name.
Prior to this, “Sisters in Islam” was used as the SIS pen name to reflect its role as an organisation that advocates for justice and equality for Muslim women in Malaysia and its belief that Islam is a just and compassionate religion.
“Even as we drop the word ‘Islam’ from our pen name, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for gender equality and justice in Islamic family law. At the end of the day, it is the work we do for Muslim women and for Malaysian citizens that matters most,” said Rozana Isa, Executive Director, SIS Forum (Malaysia).
Our Work Continues
“Unfortunately, for too long, our work has been misrepresented and misunderstood by some quarters. We are not here to challenge Islam, but to ask that laws meant to protect women do not fail them.
Issues such as unpaid nafkah (maintenance), divorce and polygamy done outside of court processes, rising cases of domestic violence, and the lack of gender-sensitive interpretation of Islamic legal provisions continue to affect Muslim women across the country. These concerns are real and systemic. They demand attention, not dismissal.
“We hope this puts an end to the long-standing contention over our name and allows us to go forward in good faith with all parties,” said Rozana. “Women are equal in the eyes of God. Surely, they must also be seen and treated as equal in the eyes of men.”
SIS Forum (Malaysia) remains committed to upholding the rights of Muslim women, engaging in meaningful reform, and working alongside scholars, community leaders, and institutions to ensure that no woman is left behind in the pursuit of justice.
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About SIS Forum (Malaysia)
SIS Forum is a non-governmental organisation working towards advancing the rights of Muslim women in Malaysia within the framework of Islam, universal human rights principles, constitutional guarantees, as well as the lived realities and experiences of women.
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For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Ameena Siddiqi – Communications Manager
SIS Forum (Malaysia)
No.4, Lorong 11/8E, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MALAYSIA
Email: [email protected] | Mobile: +6 012-380 1049 | Tel: +603 7960 5121 | Fax: +603 7960 8737