March 15, 2011
A provincial branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulema has issued a fatwa banning females from running for the positions of mayor.
The decree from the Riau branch of the council, also known as MUI, comes just ahead of elections for the mayoralty of the regional capital, Pekanbaru.Muhammadun, a senior member of the council, was quoted by state news agency Antara as saying that female mayors were not in line with Islamic teachings.
“It is haram for females to run for mayor as long as there are male candidates,” Muhammadun.
Antara gave no explanation for Muhammadun’s comments.
Mayoral candidate Septina Primawati, who has the backing of the Golkar Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP), National Awakening Party (PKB), and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), was quoted in local media as saying she was disappointed with the fatwa.
The election is in May.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) condemned the move, saying it violated the Constitution.
Commission deputy chairwoman Masruchah said the Constitution stated that “every citizen, both male and female, had the rights to participate in politics.”
“MUI Riau should uphold the Constitution and not discriminate women in the name of religion.”
(http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/indonesia/indonesian-council-of-ulema-branch-announce-ban-on-female-mayors/429147)
