A recent billboard put up in Kelantan, Malaysia has people questioning its intent, even more so, its necessity. The billboard, erected at a major intersection, depicts two women wrapping up a corpse as per funeral arrangements while exchanging some snide remarks about covering up.
According to Islam teachings, a woman has to tutup aurat, which means she has to cover her hair with a hijab (head covering), and cover up her body so as to not show too much skin to others. This is practiced widely in the country; however, this billboard, which is allegedly put up by authorities, serves as a reminder for those who see it, begging the question of its necessity.
The billboard as seen on the road. IMAGE: Elliot1020 / Reddit
On the billboard, the first woman says to the deceased: "Finally, you have covered up", in response to them wrapping up her body. The second woman replies: "You used to say that no one can force you to cover up."
Is the reminder really needed?
Kelantan is known to be a conservative state in Malaysia with strict shariah laws in place; it was even the first state to establish a "zon menutup aurat" (zone to cover up intimate parts) where both genders had to wear appropriate attire and cover up.
However, people are questioning if erecting the billboard was necessary in the first place, listing out that there were so many other problems in the country that deserved to be spoken about, and that religion should be between the person and God.
IMAGE: Elliot1020 / Reddit
IMAGE: Elliot1020 / Reddit
Another pointed out that Malaysia had issues with pornography, racism, and sexual abuse, and not to mention, the high cases of corruption and bribery in the country.
IMAGE: Elliot1020 / Reddit
A state-related issue?
This isn't the first time Kelantan has put up billboards encouraging a more conservative way of dressing. However, other cases have shown that strict adherence to the dress code it isn't only a state-related issue, but rather something that can be seen throughout the country, albeit not as stringently.
The issue of dress code has been brought up several times in parliament, more recently in December last year when Kuala Krai member of parliament Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman inquired about the government's stance on the uniforms of Malaysian air stewardess being too revealing. He cited that there are some women who cover up at home, but when they go to work, they have to wear more revealing clothing. This issue of uniforms was later said to be governed under the airline companies' policy and does not require approval from the Cabinet.
Aside from that, Malaysians who follow sports will probably remember the controversy surrounding national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi back in 2015 when she was criticized for wearing a 'revealing' leotard at an international sports event despite it being the normal attire for gymnasts.
Thankfully, she garnered support from Malaysians, who also expressed that she made Malaysia proud for her achievements. The Olympic gymnast has recently announced she will retire from competitive gymnastics after 25 years.
These incidents are only the tip of the iceberg of the issue, dividing groups between open-minded thinking versus conservative thinking.
In a country like Malaysia where Islam is the official religion, it is not unheard of that dress codes are something to be aware of; however, given that it's to the point where there are billboards reminding people to cover their aurat, one might ask themselves just how much emphasis should be placed on these dress codes.
What do you think?
For more life stories:
Malaysian Olympic gymnast Farah Ann now has a Barbie modelled after her
Taliban orders shop owners to behead mannequins because they're 'un-Islamic'
M'sian politician congratulates Taliban on their 'victory', netizens hit back
Follow Mashable SEA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.
Cover image sourced from Elliot1020 / Reddit.
