Jump to content

Obedient Wives Club: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Removed Islamic basis section- it did not contain anything other than a single claim by the organization and in no way proves that the organization’s controversial deeds have an Islamic basis. Also, the “future plans” of this group have already been put into action, and should now be in the history section.
Expanded and improved the article, adding additional citations for verification.
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Refimprove|date=March 2023}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2023}}
'''The Obedient Wives Club''' is an international [[Islam]]ic [[faith-based organization]] which claims to promote harmonious families by teaching wives how to be submissive to their husbands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnw.org/archive/malaysian-women-launch-obedient-wife-club|title=Malaysian women launch The Obedient Wife Club|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Composed of up to 3000 members,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/01/30/146066783/obedient-wives-club-irks-some-muslims-in-malaysia|title='Obedient Wives Club' Irks Some Muslims In Malaysia|last=Kuhn|first=Anthony|date=30 January 2012|website=[[NPR]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> this group currently operates in Malaysia,<ref name="asiaone.com">Lai, Isabelle. "Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons." Asiaone. Asia One, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20110605-282405.html]</ref> Indonesia,<ref name="thejakartaglobe.com">Wee, Teo Cheng. "Obedient Wives Club Produces Islamic Sex Guide." Jakarta Globe. N.p., 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/obedient-wives-club-produces-islamic-sex-guide/471336]</ref> Singapore,<ref>CNN International. "Obedient Wives Club to set up a Singapore chapter | CNNGo.com." CNN. CNN International, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/obedient-wives-club-set-singapore-chapter-087455] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903194613/http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/obedient-wives-club-set-singapore-chapter-087455|date=2012-09-03}}</ref> Australia, Kazakhstan,<ref>Pak, Jennifer. "BBC News - Malaysia minister attacks 'Obedient Wives Club'." BBC. British Publishing Company, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13760246]</ref> and Jordan, and in 2011 it declared plans to open chapters in England and France in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-15869796|title=Obedient Wives' Club faces criticism in UK|last=Nye|first=Catrin|date=24 November 2011|website=[[BBC]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/06/outrage-at-obedient-wives-club-singapore|title=Outrage as Obedient Wives Club spreads across south-east Asia|last=Hodal|first=Kate|date=7 July 2011|website=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published a highly controversial book called ''Islamic Sex'', which encouraged wives to act like "first class whores" in order to keep husbands from straying.<ref name=":0" /> This book is currently banned in Indonesia and Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/03/malaysia-obedient-wives-sex-manual|title=Malaysia bans Obedient Wives Club sex manual|last=Jones|first=Sam|date=4 November 2011|website=The Guardian|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Despite the book only being available to its club, some of its content has been made known, sparking fierce debates online. In 2015, the group announced that it had dissolved itself, and its members had started a new organization known as ''Rumah Poligami Indah Dari Tuhan'' ("Beautiful Polygamy Home From God").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-24 |title=‘Rebranded’ Obedient Wives Club now back as polygamy counsellors |url=http://my.news.yahoo.com/rebranded-obedient-wives-club-now-back-polygamy-counsellors-071722733.html |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-MY}}</ref>
'''The Obedient Wives Club''' is an international [[Islam]]ic [[faith-based organization]] which claims to promote harmonious families by teaching wives how to be submissive to their husbands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnw.org/archive/malaysian-women-launch-obedient-wife-club|title=Malaysian women launch The Obedient Wife Club|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Composed of up to 3000 members,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/01/30/146066783/obedient-wives-club-irks-some-muslims-in-malaysia|title='Obedient Wives Club' Irks Some Muslims In Malaysia|last=Kuhn|first=Anthony|date=30 January 2012|website=[[NPR]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> this group currently operates in Malaysia,<ref name="asiaone.com">Lai, Isabelle. "Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons." Asiaone. Asia One, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20110605-282405.html]</ref> Indonesia,<ref name="thejakartaglobe.com">Wee, Teo Cheng. "Obedient Wives Club Produces Islamic Sex Guide." Jakarta Globe. N.p., 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/obedient-wives-club-produces-islamic-sex-guide/471336]</ref> Singapore,<ref>CNN International. "Obedient Wives Club to set up a Singapore chapter | CNNGo.com." CNN. CNN International, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/obedient-wives-club-set-singapore-chapter-087455] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903194613/http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/obedient-wives-club-set-singapore-chapter-087455|date=2012-09-03}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-24 |title=Obedient Wives' Club faces criticism in UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15869796 |access-date=2024-09-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kazakhstan,<ref>Pak, Jennifer. "BBC News - Malaysia minister attacks 'Obedient Wives Club'." BBC. British Publishing Company, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13760246]</ref> and Jordan,<ref name=":5">{{cite news |last=Hodal |first=Kate |date=6 July 2011 |title=Outrage as Obedient Wives Club spreads across south-east Asia |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/06/outrage-at-obedient-wives-club-singapore |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> and in 2011 it declared plans to open chapters in England and France in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-15869796|title=Obedient Wives' Club faces criticism in UK|last=Nye|first=Catrin|date=24 November 2011|website=[[BBC]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/06/outrage-at-obedient-wives-club-singapore|title=Outrage as Obedient Wives Club spreads across south-east Asia|last=Hodal|first=Kate|date=7 July 2011|website=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published an [[Sexually explicit content|explicit]] 115-page sex manual, titled ''Islamic Sex'', a highly controversial book, which encouraged wives to act like "first class [[Prostitution|whores]]" in order to keep husbands from straying.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{cite news |date=14 October 2011 |title=Malaysian polygamy club 'encourages group sex' |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j04d7sjDSsUBZkYNQZp6G9-FesZA?docId=CNG.14aedb15885aaac4cb5e428231bbfdcb.11 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/62tw6eGP2 |archivedate=2 November 2011 |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |last=Chong |first=Debra |date=12 October 2011 |title=Obedient Wives Club publishes explicit sex book |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obedient-wives-club-publishes-explicit-sex-book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318221812/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obedient-wives-club-publishes-explicit-sex-book |archive-date=18 March 2012 |accessdate=16 November 2011 |work=[[The Malaysian Insider]]}}</ref> This book is currently banned in Indonesia and Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/03/malaysia-obedient-wives-sex-manual|title=Malaysia bans Obedient Wives Club sex manual|last=Jones|first=Sam|date=4 November 2011|website=The Guardian|publisher=|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Despite the book only being available to its club, some of its content has been made known, sparking fierce debates online.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last=Murdoch |first=Lindsay |date=14 October 2011 |title=Islamic sex guide says wives meet only 10% of husbands' desires |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/islamic-sex-guide-says-wives-meet-only-10-of-husbands-desires-20111013-1ln5l.html |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> Mainstream Muslim organizations in Malaysia have also disparaged the club.<ref name=":4" /> In 2015, the group announced that it had dissolved itself, and its members had started a new organization known as ''Rumah Poligami Indah Dari Tuhan'' ("Beautiful Polygamy Home From God").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-24 |title=‘Rebranded’ Obedient Wives Club now back as polygamy counsellors |url=http://my.news.yahoo.com/rebranded-obedient-wives-club-now-back-polygamy-counsellors-071722733.html |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-MY}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
On June 3, 2011, a business firm called [[Global Ikhwan]] established the first chapter of the Obedient Wives Club in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref name=":0" /> Originally intended to help the female staff become good wives and productive employees, the group's main goal was to revolutionize the way [[Marriage in Islam|Muslim wives]] viewed sex within marriage.<ref name="in.reuters.com">Rondonuwu, Olivia, and Razak Ahmad. "Preaching good sex, Obedient Wives Club spreads word across Asia| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 24 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-57891720110624]</ref>
The group was founded by a business firm called [[Global Ikhwan]], a business conglomerate associated with the banned Islamic sect [[al-Arqam]].<ref name="sex book falls foul">{{cite news |date=2 November 2011 |title=OWC sex book falls foul of Home Ministry |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/owc-sex-book-falls-foul-of-home-ministry/ |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[The Malaysian Insider]]}}</ref> On June 3, 2011, Global Ikhwan established the first section of the Obedient Wives Club in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref name=":0" /> Originally intended to help the female staff become good wives and productive employees, the group's main goal was to alter the way [[Marriage in Islam|Muslim wives]] viewed sex within marriage.<ref name="in.reuters.com">Rondonuwu, Olivia, and Razak Ahmad. "Preaching good sex, Obedient Wives Club spreads word across Asia| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 24 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-57891720110624]</ref> The group claims that women only show 10% of what their husbands desired from their bodies.<ref name=":3" />


Global Ikhwan, which also founded a controversial [[polygamy]] club,<ref>Gooch, Liz. "Malaysian Polygamy Club Draws Criticism - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/world/asia/06malaysia.html?pagewanted=all]</ref> has been closely tied to the religious Islamic group [[Al-Arqam]] which was banned in Malaysia in 1994. The Obedient Wives Club denies allegations that they are trying to revive Al-Arqam.<ref name="in.reuters.com"/>
Global Ikhwan, which also founded a controversial [[polygamy]] club,<ref>Gooch, Liz. "Malaysian Polygamy Club Draws Criticism - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/world/asia/06malaysia.html?pagewanted=all]</ref> has been closely tied to the religious Islamic group [[Al-Arqam]] which was banned in Malaysia in 1994. The Obedient Wives Club denies allegations that they are trying to revive Al-Arqam.<ref name="in.reuters.com"/>


Though the Obedient Wives Club is an Islamic organization, they are open to any woman, regardless of their denomination.<ref name="blogs.reuters.com">Ahmad, Razak. "Malaysia's Obedient Wives Club angers women's rights groups | FaithWorld." Analysis & Opinion | Reuters. N.p., 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110608093520/http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/06/05/malaysias-obedient-wives-club-angers-womens-rights-groups]</ref> The Obedient Wives Club claims to fight [[divorce]], [[domestic violence]], and other social ills by teaching wives how to please their husbands.<ref name="asiaone.com"/> As one member put it, "A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray. Rather than allowing him to sin, a woman must do all she can to ensure his desires are met."<ref name="blogs.reuters.com"/>
Although the Obedient Wives Club claims to be an Islamic organization, they are open to all woman, regardless of their denomination or religion.<ref name="blogs.reuters.com">Ahmad, Razak. "Malaysia's Obedient Wives Club angers women's rights groups | FaithWorld." Analysis & Opinion | Reuters. N.p., 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110608093520/http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/06/05/malaysias-obedient-wives-club-angers-womens-rights-groups]</ref> The Obedient Wives Club claims to fight [[divorce]], [[domestic violence]], and other social ills by teaching wives how to please their husbands.<ref name="asiaone.com"/> As one member put it, "A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray. Rather than allowing him to sin, a woman must do all she can to ensure his desires are met."<ref name="blogs.reuters.com"/>


The group has opened a branch in [[Singapore]] in June 2011, attracting a handful of members.<ref>{{cite news |last=Faris Mokhtar |date=19 July 2011 |title=Obedient Wives Club gains little traction in S’pore |url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/obedient-wives-club-gains-little-traction-pore-055346413.html |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/62u2FAWVM |archivedate=2 November 2011 |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[Yahoo! News]]}}</ref> The country's [[Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura|Islamic Religious Council]] has condemned the group.<ref name=":5" /> The group expanded into [[Indonesia]] at about the same time, claiming to have approximately 300 members there.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 June 2011 |title=Indonesian Branch of Obedient Wives Club Opens |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/06/19/indonesian-branch-obedient-wives-club-opens/ |accessdate=2 November 2011 |work=[[Fox News]]}}</ref>
The Club's parent organization has moved its headquarters to [[Mecca]], Saudi Arabia,<ref>Jakarta Post. "Dreams of the Obedient Wives Club | The Jakarta Post." Home | The Jakarta Post. Jakarta Post, 22 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/22/dreams-obedient-wives-club.html/]</ref> and have expanded throughout [[South East Asia]].<ref name=":1" />

The group's parent organization has moved its headquarters to [[Mecca]], Saudi Arabia,<ref>Jakarta Post. "Dreams of the Obedient Wives Club | The Jakarta Post." Home | The Jakarta Post. Jakarta Post, 22 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/22/dreams-obedient-wives-club.html/]</ref> and have expanded throughout [[South East Asia]].<ref name=":1" />


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published a 115-page book, guiding wives through the physical and spiritual aspects of sex. This book, titled ''Islamic Sex'', quickly stirred controversy.<ref name="thejakartaglobe.com"/> Many groups, such as [[Sisters in Islam]],<ref name="jezebel.com"> [http://jezebel.com/5808672/obedient-wives-club-teaches-women-advanced-doormattery-skills/ Ryan, Erin Gloria. ""Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills." "Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills. Jezebel, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927081957/http://jezebel.com/5808672/obedient-wives-club-teaches-women-advanced-doormattery-skills |date=2015-09-27 }}</ref> Aware (the [[Association of Women for Action and Research]]) and the [[Islamic Religious Council of Singapore]], criticized the book, calling it backwards and disrespectful to women and men.<ref name=":1" /> In particular, they disputed the club's assertion that if wives serve their husbands like "first class prostitutes" they will be able to maintain happy marriages.<ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/obedient-wives-club-urges-women-be-like-prostitutes-6371104.htm Parsons, Rob. "Obedient Wives Club urges women: Be like prostitutes - News - Evening Standard." London News | London Evening Standard - London's newspaper. N.p., 23 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. ]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Critics argue that the values being promoted by the club involve objectification of women, and places unfair responsibility on wives.<ref name="jezebel.com"/> They further argue it reduces Islamic marriage to a sexual exchange. As a representative of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore said, "Happiness in a marriage goes beyond receiving sexual fulfillment from one's wife."<ref name=":1" /> Minister Shahrizat Jalil of the Women, Family and Community Development agreed, noting "To hinge [[fidelity]], domestic violence and the fulfillment of a husband’s responsibilities purely on a wife's capacity to be obedient, stimulate sexual arousal … is not only demeaning to wives, but to husbands as well."<ref>Reuters. Malaysia's obedient wives anger rights groups| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://in.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-women-idINTRE7540FL20110605]</ref>
In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published a 115-page book, guiding women through the physical and spiritual aspects of sex. This book, titled ''Islamic Sex'', quickly stirred controversy.<ref name="thejakartaglobe.com"/> Many groups, such as [[Sisters in Islam]],<ref name="jezebel.com"> [http://jezebel.com/5808672/obedient-wives-club-teaches-women-advanced-doormattery-skills/ Ryan, Erin Gloria. ""Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills." "Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills. Jezebel, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927081957/http://jezebel.com/5808672/obedient-wives-club-teaches-women-advanced-doormattery-skills |date=2015-09-27 }}</ref> AWARE (the [[Association of Women for Action and Research]]) and the [[Islamic Religious Council of Singapore]], criticized the book, considering it degenerate and disrespectful to women and men.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> In particular, they disputed the club's assertion that if wives serve their husbands like "first class prostitutes" they will be able to maintain happy marriages.<ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/obedient-wives-club-urges-women-be-like-prostitutes-6371104.htm Parsons, Rob. "Obedient Wives Club urges women: Be like prostitutes - News - Evening Standard." London News | London Evening Standard - London's newspaper. N.p., 23 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. ]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Critics argue that the values being promoted by the club involve objectification of women, and places unfair responsibility on wives.<ref name="jezebel.com"/> They further argue it reduces Islamic marriage to a sexual exchange. A representative of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore said, "Happiness in a marriage goes beyond receiving sexual fulfillment from one's wife."<ref name=":1" /> Minister Shahrizat Jalil of the Women, Family and Community Development agreed, noting "To hinge [[fidelity]], domestic violence and the fulfillment of a husband’s responsibilities purely on a wife's capacity to be obedient, stimulate sexual arousal … is not only demeaning to wives, but to husbands as well."<ref>Reuters. Malaysia's obedient wives anger rights groups| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [http://in.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-women-idINTRE7540FL20110605]</ref>

In conjunction with the launch of the book, a stage performance glorifying Islamic sex took place. In the performance, the performers' claim that Islamic sex is "many times more amazing than the forbidden sex of the Jews" also raised eyebrows.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaoZh7StKIs [[Dateline (Australian TV program)|Dateline]]</ref> The controversial book has also been published with the book subtitle "fighting Jews to return Islamic sex to the world".<ref name=":3" />


The book was criticized for suggesting and encouraging [[group sex]] between a man and his multiple wives.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> However, this criticism has been disputed by the club, stating that the book merely mentions that a man who has "reached the highest spiritual capability can have sex with all his wives simultaneously, spiritually".<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2011 |title=Sex guide not un-Islamic |url=http://my.news.yahoo.com/sex-guide-not-un-islamic-says-obedient-wives-081054875.html |accessdate=22 December 2011}}</ref>
In conjunction with the launch of the book, a stage performance glorifying Islamic sex took place. In the performance, the performers' claim that Islamic sex is "many times more amazing than the forbidden sex of the Jews" also raised eyebrows.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaoZh7StKIs [[Dateline (Australian TV program)|Dateline]]</ref>


[[BH (newspaper)|Berita Harian]], a [[Malay language|Malay-language]] newspaper revealed that the book has sexually explicit details on its pages, and also noted that chapter eight of the book deals with “how sex becomes worship”- baselessly claiming that sexual intercourse can be considered [[worship]] of God according to Islam.<ref name=":3" /> The leader of the banned Al-Arqam sect, Ashaari Muhammad, objected to extremely graphic content of the book.<ref name=":3" />
Other groups have criticized the book for promoting [[group sex]] between a man and his wives. However, the Obedient Wives Club claims that this is a purely spiritual exercise and not a physical reality.<ref>Chong, Debra. "Obedient Wives Club publishes explicit sex book." the Malaysian Insider. the Malaysian Insider, 12 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. {{cite web |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obedient-wives-club-publishes-explicit-sex-book/ |title=Main - Malaysia - Obedient Wives Club publishes explicit sex book @ Wed Oct 12 2011 |accessdate=2012-04-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318221812/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obedient-wives-club-publishes-explicit-sex-book |archivedate=2012-03-18 }}</ref>


In November 2011, the Malaysian government banned the book.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15568769|title=Malaysia 'bans Obedient Wives' Islamic sex guide'|date=November 3, 2011|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
In October 2011 the Mufti of Kelantan criticized the book, and reinforced the traditional Islamic values of [[Haya (Islam)|modesty]], [[chastity]], [[Sex-negative movement|sexual restraint]] and [[Sexual abstinence|abstinence]].<ref name=":3" /> The Mufti also stated that "Islam touches on sex [exclusively] in a civilized, polite and non-lewd manner", and that in Islam sex is described using [[Allegory|allegorical]] terms.<ref name=":3" /> In November 2011, the Malaysian government banned the book.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15568769|title=Malaysia 'bans Obedient Wives' Islamic sex guide'|date=November 3, 2011|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Al-Arqam]]
*[[Ashaari Mohammad]]
*[[Ashaari Mohammad]]
*[[Sex-positive movement|Sex-positivity]]
*[[Hypersexuality]]
*[[Prostitution]]
*[[Sexuality in Islam|Islam and Sexuality]]
*[[Women in Islam]]
*[[Women in Islam]]
*[[Gender inequality]]
*[[Gender inequality]]

Revision as of 06:52, 5 September 2024

The Obedient Wives Club is an international Islamic faith-based organization which claims to promote harmonious families by teaching wives how to be submissive to their husbands.[1] Composed of up to 3000 members,[2] this group currently operates in Malaysia,[3] Indonesia,[4] Singapore,[5] Australia,[6] Kazakhstan,[7] and Jordan,[8] and in 2011 it declared plans to open chapters in England and France in 2013.[9][10] In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published an explicit 115-page sex manual, titled Islamic Sex, a highly controversial book, which encouraged wives to act like "first class whores" in order to keep husbands from straying.[9][11][12] This book is currently banned in Indonesia and Malaysia.[13] Despite the book only being available to its club, some of its content has been made known, sparking fierce debates online.[14] Mainstream Muslim organizations in Malaysia have also disparaged the club.[14] In 2015, the group announced that it had dissolved itself, and its members had started a new organization known as Rumah Poligami Indah Dari Tuhan ("Beautiful Polygamy Home From God").[15]

History

The group was founded by a business firm called Global Ikhwan, a business conglomerate associated with the banned Islamic sect al-Arqam.[16] On June 3, 2011, Global Ikhwan established the first section of the Obedient Wives Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[9] Originally intended to help the female staff become good wives and productive employees, the group's main goal was to alter the way Muslim wives viewed sex within marriage.[17] The group claims that women only show 10% of what their husbands desired from their bodies.[12]

Global Ikhwan, which also founded a controversial polygamy club,[18] has been closely tied to the religious Islamic group Al-Arqam which was banned in Malaysia in 1994. The Obedient Wives Club denies allegations that they are trying to revive Al-Arqam.[17]

Although the Obedient Wives Club claims to be an Islamic organization, they are open to all woman, regardless of their denomination or religion.[19] The Obedient Wives Club claims to fight divorce, domestic violence, and other social ills by teaching wives how to please their husbands.[3] As one member put it, "A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray. Rather than allowing him to sin, a woman must do all she can to ensure his desires are met."[19]

The group has opened a branch in Singapore in June 2011, attracting a handful of members.[20] The country's Islamic Religious Council has condemned the group.[8] The group expanded into Indonesia at about the same time, claiming to have approximately 300 members there.[21]

The group's parent organization has moved its headquarters to Mecca, Saudi Arabia,[22] and have expanded throughout South East Asia.[10]

Controversy

In October 2011, the Obedient Wives Club published a 115-page book, guiding women through the physical and spiritual aspects of sex. This book, titled Islamic Sex, quickly stirred controversy.[4] Many groups, such as Sisters in Islam,[23] AWARE (the Association of Women for Action and Research) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, criticized the book, considering it degenerate and disrespectful to women and men.[10][8] In particular, they disputed the club's assertion that if wives serve their husbands like "first class prostitutes" they will be able to maintain happy marriages.[24] Critics argue that the values being promoted by the club involve objectification of women, and places unfair responsibility on wives.[23] They further argue it reduces Islamic marriage to a sexual exchange. A representative of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore said, "Happiness in a marriage goes beyond receiving sexual fulfillment from one's wife."[10] Minister Shahrizat Jalil of the Women, Family and Community Development agreed, noting "To hinge fidelity, domestic violence and the fulfillment of a husband’s responsibilities purely on a wife's capacity to be obedient, stimulate sexual arousal … is not only demeaning to wives, but to husbands as well."[25]

In conjunction with the launch of the book, a stage performance glorifying Islamic sex took place. In the performance, the performers' claim that Islamic sex is "many times more amazing than the forbidden sex of the Jews" also raised eyebrows.[26] The controversial book has also been published with the book subtitle "fighting Jews to return Islamic sex to the world".[12]

The book was criticized for suggesting and encouraging group sex between a man and his multiple wives.[11][12] However, this criticism has been disputed by the club, stating that the book merely mentions that a man who has "reached the highest spiritual capability can have sex with all his wives simultaneously, spiritually".[12][27]

Berita Harian, a Malay-language newspaper revealed that the book has sexually explicit details on its pages, and also noted that chapter eight of the book deals with “how sex becomes worship”- baselessly claiming that sexual intercourse can be considered worship of God according to Islam.[12] The leader of the banned Al-Arqam sect, Ashaari Muhammad, objected to extremely graphic content of the book.[12]

In October 2011 the Mufti of Kelantan criticized the book, and reinforced the traditional Islamic values of modesty, chastity, sexual restraint and abstinence.[12] The Mufti also stated that "Islam touches on sex [exclusively] in a civilized, polite and non-lewd manner", and that in Islam sex is described using allegorical terms.[12] In November 2011, the Malaysian government banned the book.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Malaysian women launch The Obedient Wife Club". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  2. ^ Kuhn, Anthony (30 January 2012). "'Obedient Wives Club' Irks Some Muslims In Malaysia". NPR. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Lai, Isabelle. "Obedient Wives Club to offer sex lessons." Asiaone. Asia One, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [1]
  4. ^ a b Wee, Teo Cheng. "Obedient Wives Club Produces Islamic Sex Guide." Jakarta Globe. N.p., 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [2]
  5. ^ CNN International. "Obedient Wives Club to set up a Singapore chapter | CNNGo.com." CNN. CNN International, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [3] Archived 2012-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Obedient Wives' Club faces criticism in UK". BBC News. 2011-11-24. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  7. ^ Pak, Jennifer. "BBC News - Malaysia minister attacks 'Obedient Wives Club'." BBC. British Publishing Company, 14 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [4]
  8. ^ a b c Hodal, Kate (6 July 2011). "Outrage as Obedient Wives Club spreads across south-east Asia". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  9. ^ a b c Nye, Catrin (24 November 2011). "Obedient Wives' Club faces criticism in UK". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  10. ^ a b c d Hodal, Kate (7 July 2011). "Outrage as Obedient Wives Club spreads across south-east Asia". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Malaysian polygamy club 'encourages group sex'". Agence France-Presse. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chong, Debra (12 October 2011). "Obedient Wives Club publishes explicit sex book". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  13. ^ Jones, Sam (4 November 2011). "Malaysia bans Obedient Wives Club sex manual". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  14. ^ a b Murdoch, Lindsay (14 October 2011). "Islamic sex guide says wives meet only 10% of husbands' desires". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  15. ^ "'Rebranded' Obedient Wives Club now back as polygamy counsellors". Yahoo News. 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  16. ^ "OWC sex book falls foul of Home Ministry". The Malaysian Insider. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  17. ^ a b Rondonuwu, Olivia, and Razak Ahmad. "Preaching good sex, Obedient Wives Club spreads word across Asia| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 24 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [5]
  18. ^ Gooch, Liz. "Malaysian Polygamy Club Draws Criticism - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [6]
  19. ^ a b Ahmad, Razak. "Malaysia's Obedient Wives Club angers women's rights groups | FaithWorld." Analysis & Opinion | Reuters. N.p., 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.[7]
  20. ^ Faris Mokhtar (19 July 2011). "Obedient Wives Club gains little traction in S'pore". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Indonesian Branch of Obedient Wives Club Opens". Fox News. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  22. ^ Jakarta Post. "Dreams of the Obedient Wives Club | The Jakarta Post." Home | The Jakarta Post. Jakarta Post, 22 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [8]
  23. ^ a b Ryan, Erin Gloria. ""Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills." "Obedient Wives Club" Teaches Women Advanced Doormattery Skills. Jezebel, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.Archived 2015-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Parsons, Rob. "Obedient Wives Club urges women: Be like prostitutes - News - Evening Standard." London News | London Evening Standard - London's newspaper. N.p., 23 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [permanent dead link]
  25. ^ Reuters. Malaysia's obedient wives anger rights groups| Reuters." Reuters India. Reuters, 5 June 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. [9]
  26. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaoZh7StKIs Dateline
  27. ^ "Sex guide not un-Islamic". 21 October 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  28. ^ "Malaysia 'bans Obedient Wives' Islamic sex guide'". November 3, 2011 – via www.bbc.co.uk.