Gender, Politics and al-Qur'an: The Stance of Islamic Higher Education Institutions on Affirmative Action for Women in South Sulawesi

Abstract

This article analyzes the political orientation of the academic community at Islamic higher education institutions in South Sulawesi regarding affirmative action policies for women in local political contests, viewed from the perspectives of the Qur'an and maqāṣid al-sharī'ah. This study uses a mixed-methods approach with a sequential explanatory design, integrating quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were obtained through a Likert-scale questionnaire to measure the cognitive, affective, and conative dimensions of political attitudes, while qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and documentation. The qualitative data was then analyzed using maqāṣid al-sharī'ah theory. In accordance with the concept of gender in the Qur’an, which positions women as equal, balanced, and dignified. The results of the study show that normatively, the majority of respondents accept the principle of gender equality in the Qur'an, especially based on the concepts of musāwāh, 'adl mashlahah, and maqāṣid al-sharī'ah. However, at the level of local political implementation, the acceptance of affirmative action remains influenced by interpretations of qiwāmah, the misunderstood siri' culture within the Bugis-Makassar tradition, and patriarchal social constructs. This study confirms the tension between Qur'anic normative principles and local political practices, while showing that the contextual reinterpretation of Islam opens up a space of theological legitimacy for women's leadership. A contextual interpretation aligns with the principles of maqāṣid al-sharī'ah, enabling a role for women in politics and repositioning their status in a fair and dignified manner, without undermining the noble values ​​of the Quran.