Muna AbuSulayman: Another Voice from Saudi

 

Muna AbuSulayman: Another Voice from Saudi

Muna was born 43 years ago in America when her father was doing research there. Returning to Saudi Arabia and studying in his native country, Muna then followed his father to stay for about two years in Malaysia.

Muna recalled that she learned another facet of Islam while in Malaysia where ethnic Malays, Chinese and Indians interacted harmoniously, and how Islam provided space for women to play a role in society. Muna certainly compares it with her home country.

Such a deep impression of the practice of Islam in Southeast Asia, around the archipelago, led Muna to voice and display the face and voice of Islam that is different from the Wahhabi-style mainstream Islam in his country. Look at how she wears her hijab, which is similar to the hijab style of the Malay Islamic world before the 1980s. Her hair was sticking out. Polish make-up clearly visible. But Muna doesn't care about that. He wants to be known by what's inside his head, rather than what wraps his head.

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Muna returned to America to pursue further education. Then worked 8 years at the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, and finally decided to run his own business. Muna transformed into one of the most influential Saudi female figures. She is one of the hosts of the popular tv show Kalam Nawaem which discusses sensitive themes such as education for women, sex, comedy, and others. Muna is nicknamed the Oprah of Saudis. Muna, who has become one of the modern symbols of Arab women, is often invited to give public lectures at various international forums and world-class universities. The world wants to hear his clever ideas.

Muna designs the hijab model and then produces it. Muna-style hijab is now widely worn by educated Arab women, and pursuing careers in the public sphere. Unlike the syar'i hijab trend in Indonesia, Muna has instead developed a hijab that follows the taste of modern fashion.

Of course not all men are happy to see the public role played by a Muna Abu Sulayman. And many women will sneer at Muna, who has two children and is divorced from her husband. It seems that it is not easy for men to have beautiful, smart wives and have a career in the public sphere. There will be husbands who take refuge behind the classical interpretation of a number of scriptures for the sake of their male ego.

It's not easy being a Muna. Muna has become another voice from Saudi Arabia — where women's voices have been considered aurat, the face must be covered with a veil and women's roles are limited to mattresses and kitchens. Muna dares to be different.

Adieu,

Nadirsyah Hosen

Rais Syuriah PCI Nahdlatul Ulama Australia-New Zealand and Senior Lecturer at Monash Law School.