Wan Azizah Attends Usrah MADANI Programme In Putrajaya

PUTRAJAYA, July 17 (Bernama) — The Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, took time today to attend the Usrah MADANI programme held at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) here.

She spent nearly two hours at the spiritual knowledge-sharing session, which featured renowned UK-based Islamic scholar Syeikh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi, who delivered a talk titled The Role of Women in Scholarship and Nation-Building.

Wan Azizah, who is also the Patron of the Association of Wives and Women Members of the Malaysian Civil Service (Puspanita), arrived at 2.30 pm and was welcomed by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad and Puspanita president Puan Sri Maheran Jamil.

The event was jointly organised by KPWKM, the KPWKM branch of Puspanita and the Office of the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), and was attended by around 300 participants from KPWKM and the Prime Minister’s Department.

During the session, Syeikh Mohammad shared insights on the role of women in Islamic scholarship and nation-building, emphasising that Islam provides ample space for women to actively contribute to society.

He cited the wife of Prophet Muhammad SAW Saidatina Khadijah, as an exemplary figure who was not only a successful entrepreneur but also the Prophet’s strongest supporter during the early years of Islam. 

“Her role symbolises the trust and empowerment given to women in Islamic history. She was a woman of wisdom, courage and leadership,” he said.

Syeikh Mohammad also stressed that women are encouraged to seek knowledge, participate in community activities and play leadership roles, adding that cultural restrictions in some societies should not be mistaken as religious obligations.

He said women in Malaysia are fortunate because they have better access to religious education and public participation compared to some other countries, where cultural practices often limit such opportunities.

Syeikh Mohammad also expressed his willingness to assist Malaysia in developing educational programmes and curricula specifically designed for women in the fields of hadith, fatwa and other branches of Islamic scholarship.

“Insya-Allah, I can help and be part of this effort by guiding on how to develop a curriculum to increase women’s knowledge and expertise in these areas,” he said.

— BERNAMA