Religion and Women’s Movement: ‘Aisyiyah Organization

The primary significance and aim of this book is to shed light on, analyze, and trace how far the role of religion and culture have affected the women’s movement in Indonesia and how far the role of the ulama (Islamic scholar) has affected the opportunity given to women to act in public life. These objectives will be achieved by way of my analyzing of the work of the ‘Aisyiyah organization. The Muslim women’s movement in Indonesia was influenced by the Islamic reform movement in the twentieth-century. The reformists sought a “return” to the fundamental truth of the Islamic texts and tradition, as articulated in the Qur’an and Hadith. The women’s divisions of religious reform movements played active roles in advocating and implementing social and educational reforms. ‘Aisyiyah is the women’s section of the Islamic reformist movement, the Muhammadiah, and ‘Aisyiyah is used as a case study in this study. Initially, their efforts were directed towards increasing the awareness of Muslim women in an effort to improve their lives, obtain their rights, and realize their responsibilities. Education, both secular and religious, was seen as the key, and Aisyiyah has long inspired Indonesian women to dedicate themselves to establish educational opportunities for women. Particularly in recent years, the ‘Aisyiyah organization has been spearheading a reexamination of traditional Islamic sources for answers to the complex relationship between culture, tradition and religious requirements regarding the role of women in Islam. Analyzing Islamic teaching from a gender perspectives was an innovative initiative to change thinking patterns on gender issues, especially in the Indonesian context. The book examines how ‘Aisyiyah’s influence has made a difference for many Muslim women by its emphasis on the importance of the mother’s role as an educator, as well as on the need for women to be economically independent and to make decisions on their own.
Indonesian Muslim women are taking an active role in current debates on the ratification of women’s social, cultural, legal, and economic roles in their society. Indonesian Muslim women professional groups, such as ‘Aisyiyah organization, have been spearheading a reexamination of traditional Islamic sources for answers to these complex matters. For ‘Aisyiyah, there is a need for change and it urges women to improve their lives, obtain their rights, and realize their duties. Education, both secular and religious, is a key to women’s programs. ‘Aisyiyah inspires Indonesian women to dedicate themselves to establishing educational opportunities for women.