Religious Affiliation and the Veiling Status of Women Academicians in Three Universities of Malaysia

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Madeeha Shah
Dr. Naima Tabassum

Abstract

This paper focuses on the religious affiliation and the practice of using different veiling articles (e.g. Head scarf, Turban, Telekung, Mini Telekung, Selendung, Coats, Abaya, Niqab, etc.) among women academicians in three universities of Malaysia. The research was designed with a quantitative approach to data and analysis. The method of data collection was survey of online profiles of the women academicians of three universities of Malaysia. The data collected was recorded with the help of a checklist developed by the researchers. The data collected was statistically analysed to test the hypothesis. It is argued that 90% of women academicians in three universities are Muslims as compared to the 10% women academicians as Non-Muslims. It is also observed that 89% women academicians of the universities included in this study are using different articles of veiling as compared to 11% of women academicians not using any veiling article. The chi square test used to explore the association between the religious affiliation and the use of veiling articles by these women academicians. The test results show a statistically significant association between the two variables. Therefore, the study accepted the research hypothesis (H1) that the religious affiliation of women academicians in three universities of Malaysia is significantly associated with their veiling status (as assessed by their practice of using veiling articles observed in their online profiles). The study recommends for exploration of the similar patterns on a larger sample of population from a large number of universities in Malaysia for more comprehensive and authentic findings.

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