Marina Mahathir

Gutsy, serious feminist journalist publishes some of her columns previously published in Malaysia (and some not -- some were turned down by her publisher). Subjects covered include education, sexual politics, politics, religion, piety, HIV/AIDS, health education, censorship, religious police, protest movements ... in modern Malaysia. An excellent and easy-to-read introduction to anyone curious about today's Malaysia and the shortfalls that many Muslim women are experiencing. It is important that such brave women as Marina Mahathir, Hend Badawi, and Mona Eltahawy continue to speak up and tell their stories. From listening to them we find that many are sincere Muslims, but feel that the societies they live in do not live up to Muslim ideals of fairness and justice to all its members, especially women, who experience sexual aggression and unwarranted brutalities far too often from men who are not only fellow Muslims but members of groups who are supposed to be protecting women and children (the military, police, the Muslim Brotherhood).… (mer)