ABOUT US
Progresif is a bilingual (English and Malay) platform that promotes progressive ideas within the context of Malay/ Muslim society in a changing world.
By progressive, we mean perspectives that weave the context of society with shared universal values, vision of a better future and the presence of diverse and evolving traditions.
We offer critical reflections on societal issues with an educative approach that can lead to a more compassionate and inclusive society for all.
We often see an over-representation of the Malay Muslim identity through a singular lens. Often, it lacks a progressive and critical engagement with the changing context of society.
Hence, we focus primarily on Malay and Muslim issues to provide greater nuance and alternative views that are often ignored, marginalised or buried. We recognise the need to provide a credible platform for writers and social commentators to engage with ideas and contested perspectives in Malay Muslim societal context.
However, being progressive is also about inclusivity. We therefore welcome views from all writers and social commentators, including those who identify as Malay only, primarily Malay/Muslim, or non-Malay/Muslim.
We accept articles in any of the following themes:
1) Arts and Culture
2) Economics
3) Education
4) Gender and Sexuality
5) History
6) Interfaith
7) Islamic Law
8) Language & Literature
9) Philosophy
10) Social Issues
11) Politics
12) Theology
As much as we appeal for rigour in standards for the perspectives articulated in every article, we respect the writer's right to their opinion. We are not responsible for the views and opinions hold by the writer. They remain solely the views and opinions of the writer.
Editorial Team
- Academic advisor: Dr Azhar Ibrahim
- English editor: Md Suhaile
- Malay editor: Mohamed Imran
- Team of sub-editors
- Podcast editor: Syahirah Azib
Contact Us: salam@progresif.net
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ARTICLES
Latest Articles
Tidak semua pandangan lama itu usang dan tidak lagi relevan. Terhadap karya para tokoh falsafah klasik, tentu saja kita perlu bersikap kritis. Tetapi, sesiapa saja yang cermat akan mampu melihat adanya inspirasi dari pemikir terdahulu; asalkan kita tidak terjebak ke dalam suatu romantisisme, apatah lagi pengagungan naif atas zaman keemasan Islam. Memandang ke belakang hanya akan produktif sekiranya dilandasi prinsip al-muhafazhah ‘ala al-qadim ash-shalih wa al-akhdz bi al-jadid al-ashlah (menjaga hal-hal baik dari masa lalu, mengambil yang lebih baik dari hal-hal baru). Inilah pendekatan artikel yang akan membahaskan pemikiran tokoh besar Islam, Ibn Rusyd yang lahir pada abad ke-12.
Creeping Islamism in Malaysia is a subject that comes up time and again in the media. Topics range from interfaith relations to the constitution and hudud laws. Though, few are as controversial and personal as women and gender roles in the domestic realm. The discourse is often polarised, with activists uncritically labelled as ‘conservatives’ or ‘liberals’. But away from catchy headlines, what is the actual orientation of activists from Female Muslim (Muslimah) NGOs? To that end, I interviewed 14 Muslimah activists and explore their religious orientation using Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge (SoK) approach.
While proponents of sunat perempuan may argue that the act is harmless (unlike Type 1, 2 and 3 of FGM), it is hard to argue for any medical benefit from the practice – unlike that of male circumcision. Some Muslims, however, have resorted to the argument that the practice is needed to subdue female sexuality. This claim rests upon two claims: that female sexuality is higher than men and that subduing it is necessary to promote female purity and chastity. These two claims rest upon the overarching assumptions that women are the guardians of morality and female sexuality can be a source of moral destruction. Hence, the need to subject women to sunat or circumcision.