Towards building and strengthening an identity as a muslim female preacher in Malaysia

Abstract

In recent times, female Muslim preachers have increasingly been involved in dakwah and in broader Malaysian society. The existence of female Muslim preachers who engage with the broadcasting media is currently seen in Malaysia as a success, especially in attracting young viewers to religious programmes. Based on novel anthropological research, this study provides an account of the rise of the role, contribution and efforts of female Muslims preachers in disseminating Islamic dakwah to broader Malaysian society, especially in the 21st century. This paper discusses the challenges, obstacles, the present reality and potential futures of the female preachers, by looking more specifically at how these women strive to build and strengthen their identities as Muslim female preachers whose role is to guide Muslims and shape the Muslim society. The research dispels views that deny Muslim women's role in public (religious) arenas with a study of the phenomena of female preachers that is more than a decade old in Malaysia. This paper seeks to provide an understanding of how Muslim female preacher's identity is shaped by and shaping all aspects dakwah in Malaysia. From anthropological perspective, it shows how the responses of other Muslim women towards dakwah activities are obviously affirming their identity as a Muslim female preacher.