Negotiating religious identity of Shi'i women in Indonesia : between resilience and resistence

Abstract

This study focuses on the experiences of Shi'i women who are members of Fathimiyyah IJABI and Muslimah ABI in negotiating their religious identities. As part of a minority group, the Shi'is have experienced discrimination, and their women are not exempt from this. Despite the unfavorable circumstances for the Shi'i community, the positions of women in Fathimiyyah IJABI and Muslimah ABI are intriguing because they have the ability to empower, provide a means to do something, despite their marginalized status. Women in general still encounter obstacles in empowering other women, let alone Shi'i women who need to negotiate their religious identity in society. They must practice their religious teachings while seeking acceptance within the community. This study aims to investigate how the members of Fathimiyyah IJABI and Muslimah ABI negotiate their religious identities. It also examines the influence of socio-religious conditions on the discrimination and how they navigate their activism in response to this discrimination. To achieve these objectives, this research utilizes a qualitative method with data collection techniques such as semi-structured interviews and documentation. Using snowball sampling, 24 interviewees were obtained, with 12 members from Fathimiyyah IJABI and 12 members from Muslimah ABI. The findings of this research reveal that the experiences of discrimination differ between the two groups, with Fathimiyyah IJABI being more vulnerable than Muslimah ABI due to the stigmatization associated with Jalaluddin Rakhmat and Muthahhari Foundation. This stems from the perception in society that Shi'ism is a deviant doctrine and the visibility of Jalaluddin Rakhmat as a prominent Shi'i figure. Furthermore, the cultural background of being descendants of the Prophet held by some Muslimah ABI members does not make them immune to discrimination, which takes the form of domestic violence and sexism associated with mut'a, involving women's specific experience. Based on these findings, this research argues that there are two religious identities among Shi'i women in Indonesia: hidden and declared. This is influenced by socio-religious conditions that make them vulnerable. Therefore, in navigating their activism, these Shi'i women manifest their religious identities with two different goals: resilience and resistance.