Moslem women find unity in their faith as Sisters

By Natasha Sky

JAKARTA (JP): Amid myriad faces and accents, a group of women has learned to put superficial differences aside. Intelligent, faithful and devoted, they are united in one belief -- Islam.

Welcome to Sisters, a melting pot of color, language, culture and understanding formed under the unifying element of religion. Twice a month a group of about 20 women gathers at a house in Kuningan, South Jakarta, to discuss what it means to be a Moslem woman, and particularly what it means to a foreigner and live as a Moslem woman in Jakarta.

The group was the brainchild of Briton Angela Alhamid. In a chance meeting at a cross-cultural group, Angela and Australian Martina Zainal discovered women needed a platform to discuss what it meant to be Moslem. Their own experiences as Moslem women married to Indonesians influenced their decision.

Angela professed her faith to Islam 20 years ago, describing it as "taking one more step, as if I was transferring my beliefs".

Although her mother initially had reservations about her decision, Angela said this was largely due to the West's misconceptions about the religion. In the West, for example, Islam is often associated with terrorism and the subordination of women. But like the Sisters group itself, the process of learning opened up a whole new perspective for Angela.

"While most people, unfortunately, have a negative perception (about Islam), Sisters is a group which helps answer women's questions about the religion.

"These questions are not always cultural but also relate to the Islamic way of thinking, concentrating on issues relevant to our own," she said.

The first meeting in April attracted nine women from different countries. It has since expanded to 20 members, and interest continues to grow.

"It's enlightening how many people in this group are from the international community," Angela said. "By meeting people in the same situation, we are reinforcing that we all share something special -- that we are all Moslem."

The group, which welcomes non-Moslem women as participants, also serves to educate women on the rights and responsibilities of Moslem women in the workplace, at home and in their personal lives. The meetings are held in English to make it easier for Western women to understand the complexities of the religion.

Courage

A series of guest speakers, open discussions and lessons on prayer all help to give the women the courage and confidence to delve deeper into the religion themselves. As Sisters, they are free to discuss difficulties in reading the Koran or problems they may face in relating their religion to their personal lives.

For Martina, the group is a chance to share many of her experiences as a Moslem woman and come to a deeper spiritual awareness. "In my outlook, I'm more understanding to how other people react to things and I can easily incorporate Islam into my daily life."

Martina professed her faith to Islam in 1981, two years after marrying in Australia. In January 1986, she decided to adopt the Moslem headdress, or jilbab, which she considers "a very visible sign of my religion". It was also her way of setting an example to her children that should they later decide to adopt the jilbab, the person on the inside remained the same.

German Agnes Tadjoedin moved to Indonesia with her husband in 1979. Incorporating Islam into her life was one way of bringing the family together, Agnes recalled.

"If I didn't want to know or become involved in this important part of my family, I would have certainly been distancing myself from them. But now I feel I am on the path to God."

Agnes said that in the beginning she found few differences, but after a while she had many questions about Islam and there were aspects she did not understand. She was frightened by the contradictions, such as some people professing their faith but at the same time lying and cheating. S

She was also aware her decision was not immediately understood by other foreigners, and on several occasions she was asked by her German friends what her decision meant for a women's position in society.

"It wasn't until I read a lot that I realized how liberated and tolerant the religion is. Every religion is misused by man," she said.

The Sisters group has offered Agnes a chance to learn more about her religion and come to a greater understanding.

"Sisters offers a very neutral, international environment in which we are free to ask any question. We are free to exchange ideas with other foreigners who are looking for the same answers."

As the morning draws to a close, the women gather for a light snack and conversation. It is here that Sisters have learned the strengths of each other and stand united in their religious conviction.

"Sisters aims to bring together all women interested in Islam," Angela said. "If people have the strength to talk with others, learn more about people's rights, the relationship with the family becomes more harmonious and women's roles become more clear."

Ultimately, the group is about sharing a common experience. "People want to find someone who understands their own experience because this reconfirms their faith as Islamic sisters," Angela said.

Sisters meets twice a month on Saturdays. For more information, contact Angela at 766-1724/5.