KUALA LUMPUR – SIS Forum (Malaysia), has removed the word “Islam” from its publicly used name Sisters in Islam, following the advice of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Its executive director, Rozana Isa, said the decision was made during an extraordinary general meeting held on July 11, and the organisation will now go by its registered name, SIS Forum (Malaysia).
“Although we are dropping ‘Islam’ from our pen name, we remain steadfast in our commitment to gender equality and justice in Islamic family law.
“At the end of the day, the work we do for Muslim women and Malaysian citizens is what matters most,” she said in a statement today.
On June 19, the Federal Court allowed the appeal by SIS Forum (Malaysia) and its co-founder Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, who had challenged a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee declaring the organisation to be deviant from Islamic teachings.
A four-judge panel, led by former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, ruled by a 3-1 majority to set aside the fatwa to the extent it applies to companies and institutions.
Delivering the majority judgment, the chief justice held that the phrase “professing the religion of Islam” as stated in Item 1, List II (State List) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution refers only to natural persons and not artificial legal entities such as companies.
Following the ruling, Sultan Sharafuddin expressed disappointment and regret over the part of the decision that rendered the 31 July 2014 fatwa inapplicable to SIS Forum (Malaysia) as an organisation, stating that it only applies to individuals.
The Sultan subsequently urged SIS Forum to cease using the name “Sisters in Islam” in any form of publication or platform linked to the organisation.
He further decreed that the word “Islam” should not be used indiscriminately for the benefit or interest of the company.
Rozana added that SIS Forum (Malaysia) remains committed to advocating for the rights of Muslim women, engaging in necessary reform efforts, and working with scholars, community leaders, and institutions to ensure no woman is left behind in the pursuit of justice. – July 31, 2025