Is there a Sexism in Islamic Leadership? The Case of the Sultanahs in Lanao Sultanate, Philippines

Sohayle Hadji Abdul Racman

doi:10.32350/jitc.122.07

Sohayle Hadji Abdul Racman Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0533-343X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.122.07

Keywords: Maranao women, Lanao Sultanate, Islamic leadership, qualifications, functions

Abstract

Abstract Views: 223

Scarce knowledge on the status of Muslim women in Islam causes misinterpretations and distasteful opinions regarding it in Islamic leadership, and predominantly on the roles of women in societies. This contributes negatively in a direct way to the plight of Muslim women in many Muslim countries in the Middle East, West, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. This is a serious social problem that requires immediate attention and scholarly remedies so that the core of this social problem will be solved, and its damaging effects to the Muslim women shall be addressed. Women in Islamic leadership, are often misunderstood by the Westerners; and more specifically by the Muslim communities themselves due to scarce knowledge on the nature of leadership in Islam. Broadly speaking in the Islamic world; and particularly in the Muslim localities of Philippines, as a case study, the Mёranao women had a special role in the traditional leadership in Lanao Sultanate. Both the sultan and sultanah (bai-a-labi) form a mutual leadership that is unique from the leadership of the rest of the Muslim world and societies. This study examines whether or not there is a sexism in Islamic leadership under the lens of the said sultanate. This research explores the participation of Muslim women in the Lanao Sultanate leadership, and the selection process in choosing a sultanah, her functions and personal qualities. This scholarly endeavor navigates the Islamic perspectives on Muslim women in leadership.

Keywords: Islamic leadership, Lanao Sultanate, Mёranao women, qualifications, functions

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Author Biography

Sohayle Hadji Abdul Racman, Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines

Sohayle M. Hadji Abdul Racman is a Licenced Professional Teacher (LPT). He passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), with a passing rate of 81.20%. He established SOHAYLE M. HADJI ABDUL RACMAN’S MARANAO MUSEUM in Mulondo Lanao del Sur, a museum which is committed to the preservation of the Maranaos’ tangible and intangible archaic cultures. He travelled to Europe: France, Amsterdam-The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Brussels-Belgium, Hamburg-Germany, Malaga-Spain, Milan-Italy, and other EU states for a cultural research tour. and museum research to learn artefacts preservation, and modern museum design architectures. He worked as a Faculty-Instructor and taught social sciences subjects at St. Peter’s College, Iligan City, 2010 to 2014. He also taught international relations subjects in International Relations Department at the Institute of Middle East and Asian Studies at the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan Cotabato, 2014 to 2015. He is currently working as Assistant Professor at Mindanao State University, Marawi City for graduate and undergraduate students. He holds Bachelor of Science in International Relations, Mindanao State University, Marawi City, and Masters of Arts in Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and PhD in Islamic Civilization and Contemporary Issues, University of Brunei Darussalam. He also finished Professional Education Subjects from St. Peter’s College, Iligan City, and earned graduate units in World Archaeology, Physical Anthropology, Sikolohiyang Pilipino, and Philippines Studies as his other specializations in applied research, from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He published several research: journals and books. He also translated the book of Dr. Jasser Auda, Maqāṣid Al-Sharī ‘Ah: An Introductory Guide, into Filipino language as its co-author. He presented research papers at the Nottingham University, United Kingdom, University of Brunei Darussalam, University of the Philippines-Diliman and other local universities and abroad, for a wide-ranging topics and discourses including the Philippines education system, cultural anthropology, Islamic civilization, and politics of the Muslim Filipinos. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of The Islam in the Philippines Series (International Islamic University of Malaysia Press). And a member of International Advisor of RUMPUN JURNAL PERSURATAN MELAYU.

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