The Long Journey to a Women’s Batsul Masail

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Video is in Indonesian with English subtitles

According to the tradition of Nadhlatul Ulama, Bahtsul Massail is a forum to discuss social matters that so far has always involved only men as participants and as the mushohih (sourceperson), even when discussing matters relating to women. Siti Fatimah Tuzzahro—the daughter of a well-known Kyai (Islamic Religious Leader) in Pesantren (Islamic Boarding School) Buntet, Cirebon—together with her friends is trying to slowly convince the leaders of Pesantren Buntet to hold a Bahtsul Massail forum that is by and for the women. Although the forum has been held several times, the yearning to have a woman as a mushohih hasn’t yet become reality. Siti Fatimah Tuzzahro believes that someday it will come true although it is still a very long road ahead.