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Obedient Wives Club ‘demeans women’: Muis

Muis disagrees with OWC's philosophy of how Muslim wives should behave.
Muis disagrees with OWC's philosophy of how Muslim wives should behave.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has slammed the controversial Obedient Wives Club (OWC) for its teachings.

The body has taken a firm stand against the Malaysian-based OWC, which last week said it was planning to set up a local branch in Singapore.

Addressing the issue for the first time on Friday, MUIS released a statement criticising the club's view that a satisfactory sex life is the main solution to solving marital and social problems. It added that the OWC's views are contrary to Islamic teachings and "demean women and the concept of family', reported The Straits Times.

"Such a simplistic view is in fact demeaning to women and the institution of marriage and family, which are held in high esteem in Islam," it said.

"Happiness in a marriage goes beyond receiving sexual fulfilment from one's wife."

It added that Prophet Muhammad's teachings of spousal sexual relations reflects a relationshiop "that is full of love and respect towards each other".

The OWC was formed by Global Ikwan, a group that promotes polygamy. The vice-president of the club's Malaysian chapter, Dr Rohaya Mohamad, made waves at the launch of the club last month when she said that good married Muslim women should obey and serve their husbands like a "first class prostitute" to prevent him from straying.

She added that women should put an emphasis on their sexual prowess beyond the traditional "good mother or good cook" roles.

"A good or religious wife is also sexually good in bed," she said.

Dr Darlan Zaini, Singapore's representative for the club, said he plans to set up OWC as a society here together with sibling pair Azman Ari and Hamidah Ari.

The 70-year-old, who has a doctorate in literature, said the concept of the club has been misunderstood.

"If the wife is loyal, the husband will be happy," said Dr Darlan, whose wife, Dr Kamsiah Abdullah, 64, a National Institute of Education associate professor, also supports the setting up of the club.

However, Muis begs to differ.

They find that the strength of a family lies in the responsibilities and rights of both spouses.

"The wife's obligations towards the husband need to be reciprocated with a respectable and kind treatment towards her by her husband. Similarly, for the husband, in order to be worthy of being the leader of the family and earning the respect of his family, he must lead them to do good deeds and protect their welfare and well-being," it said.

Muis is not the only group against the formation of the OWC. On Monday, Young Women Muslim Association (PPIS) voiced its disapproval, citing OWC's views on sex and marriage being too simplistic.

Both Muis and PPIS said statistics showed that divorces are not caused by sex issues, but rather, problems like personality differences, financial problems and abuse.

Aware's vice-president, Halijah Mohamed, was happy with Muis' clear stance, which she said is supportive of women's dignity and spousal equality.

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