Equating Women To Cows Is Contrary To Islamic Values Says Nurul Izzah

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PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has voiced disappointment towards senior PAS leaders for defending statements equating women in leadership roles to “female cattle”, which she said does not reflect Islamic values.
She was referring to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who said Maran PAS Youth information chief Salman Al Farisi’s remarks were merely an analogy and not meant to insult women.
“Even more disappointing, the statement was not retracted, and in fact, received the backing of a senior leader from the same party.
“He claimed it was merely an analogy. He said it was not intended to insult. But we all know exactly what it was. It was an attempt to belittle and degrade the dignity of women.
“If this is the face of ‘Islamic politics’ that they claim to champion, then it is clear that it has become nothing more than a slogan, devoid of religious spirit and moral integrity.
“Islam has never humiliated women - especially not women who shoulder leadership with trust and sacrifice,” she said in a statement today.
On Aug 3, Salman posted a statement on social media emphasising the importance of male leadership in society, while providing an analogy based on his experience in cattle farming for over a year.
According to him, based on his observations in managing livestock, he said the cows often lead the herd - including determining grazing locations, rest times, and when to return home - while bulls function primarily to protect the herd's safety.
Maran PAS Youth information chief Salman Al FarisiHe argued that society should therefore avoid emulating cattle by elevating females to leadership positions, asserting that men ought to assume leadership roles in accordance with Quranic teachings.
“When a cow is made the leader, she determines everything, while the males surrounding this female cow only know how to graze on the results.
“At worst, these male cattle are only called upon to gore enemies. How pitiful it would be if our lives were likened to the lives of cattle," he added.
Widespread condemnation
The PAS Youth leader’s statement has been met with widespread condemnation from politicians, NGOs and women’s rights’ activists.
Nurul Izzah, as the latest critic on the issue, also urged that women should not be seen as second-class beings, nor as symbols of weakness.
According to Nurul Izzah, women are not newcomers to positions of leadership, and are the continuation of a legacy deeply rooted in Islamic civilisation. 
She also described women as well-documented conveyors of knowledge throughout Islamic history, and highlights how there have been more than 10,000 hadiths recorded by female narrators, who were seen as trustworthy, respectable, and recognised by scholars of their time.
“When one leader likens women to animals, and another defends it - they are not defending our religion. They are betraying its core values.
“I am not personally insulted by the cynical remarks. But I am deeply saddened that such words come from a leader who claims to uphold Islam,” she said.  - Mkini

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