A new club that opened in Jakarta, Indonesia, this weekend, is encouraging women to be totally obedient to their husbands and focus on keeping them sexually satisfied. Predictably, the new branch of the 800-member strong organisation has generated a chorus of disapproval from activists and academics alike.

The group responsible, the conservative Islamic group Global Ikhwan from Malaysia, are using the ‘this is what Islam is all about’ excuse. It is the same group responsible for the Polygamy Club scandal in 2009.

Some 50 women and their husbands reportedly attended the Saturday launching of the Indonesian branch of the club at a restaurant in southern Jakarta.

Group leader Gina Puspita:

A wife has to be 100 percent obedient to her husband in all aspects, especially in sexual treatment.

She also said the club would offer its members a package of teachings including how to treat their husbands in bed.

Another leader continued:

A good wife is a good sex worker to her husband. What is wrong with being a whore… to your husband? This way, the family institution is protected and we can curb social ills.

The “social ills” being referred to in the above quote include those of domestic violence and prostitution, amongst others.

The Indonesian government guarantees equal rights and opportunities for men and women, though some Indonesians are dissatisfied with discriminative bylaws imposed by local governments promoting strict moral values.

All Global Ikhwan is claiming to be doing is promoting these moral values they say are at the heart of Islam.

Husein Muhammad, a commissioner of KOMNAS Perempuan, an Indonesia commission on women’s rights opposes the movement and said:

Such a club is needless. The obedience should be from both sides – husband and wife. Such a club just places women as subordinates, and a marginal group.

Ellin Rozana of the Women’s Institute agreed:

Such a club is backward in emancipation and respect of women’s rights.

A member of influential Indonesian Cleric Council, Makruf Amin, claimed he saw no problem with the club as long as it does not violate the principles of Islam.

[Source: HuffingtonPost]