Events

CSEAS Gender Seminars 2024: Special Seminar: Frontiers of Gender Studies in Asia

Speaker: Humairah Binte Zainal (Research Fellow, Singapore General Hospital; Associate Lecturer, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

Title: The Irony of Islamization: Sexuality, Piety and Power on Malaysian Screens

Moderator: Kisho Tsuchiya (CSEAS)

Abstract: This presentation examines the complex relationship between film reception and gender dynamics in Malaysia, particularly within the context of religious and social hierarchies. Despite the state’s emphasis on Islamization, Islamic-themed films produced in the country often fail to resonate with local audiences, while Malay-language dramas and commercial films that feature physical intimacy enjoy significant popularity. This presentation problematizes the extent to which the local audiences’ preferences for sexually provocative productions indicate a wavering commitment to Islam. It also explores how the portrayal of intimacy in these films, framed by social hierarchies, contributes to their appeal and broader social acceptance, even when they appear to challenge religious norms and teachings. The presentation highlights how the audience’s attraction to productions with sexual content reflects local interpretations of Islam and their intersections with Malaysian cultural identities, gender norms, and ethnic-based expectations.

About the Speaker: Dr. Humairah is a Research Fellow at Singapore General Hospital and an Associate Lecturer at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from NTU, where she won the School of Social Sciences’ Alumni Star of Social Impact Award. This award recognizes her exceptional post-graduation achievements and her dedication to transformative change within her community and beyond.
Dr. Humairah has published extensively in the fields of gender, Islam, Malay culture, and medical education, focusing on the impact of digital health on clinical practice. She is the author of The Primordial Modernity of Malay Nationality: Contemporary Identity in Malaysia and Singapore, published by Routledge in 2022.
For five years, Dr. Humairah served asan Executive Committee Member of the research arm of the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) in Singapore. She was also a member of the Steering Committee spearheading AMP’s Fourth National Convention. Beyond academia, Dr. Humairah has been an active voice in public discourse, addressing critical issues such as youth leadership in community organisations, majority-minority relations, and the rights and empowerment of women. In 2022, Dr. Humairah was recognised as one of the Successful People in Singapore by the British Publishing House, a testament to her contributions and impact on society.

Contact: obiya [at] cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp

*The Seminar is organized by Gender Equality Promotion Committee, CSEAS, Kyoto University.
** For participants who have small children, we can set up a temporary nursery room for children with a professional sitter during the seminars. If you are interested, please email to danjokyodo [at] cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp by February 7th, 2025.

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