An Islamic group which caused a stir by stating that uniforms of schoolgirls were too sexy and invited 'rape and pre-marital sex' found an ally in the form of Islamic party PAS' women's wing.

The secretary of the Dewan Musliamat PAS Aiman Athirah Al Jundi today said that the Education Ministry should seriously consider the views stated by National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia's vice-president Munirah Bahari last week.

"The association's criticism against the white uniform must be mooted by the their belief on Islam and this religion's teachings," said Aiman in a statement today.

Aiman said that Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, being a Malay-Muslim, should rightfully welcome the association's criticism.

education high school girls 040405 Last week Munirah caused a national debate by suggesting that the white uniforms worn by schoolgirls should be changed as the loose, white blouse worn by schoolgirls was too transparent.

Munirah, claiming to represent some 1,500 members, added that the blouse encouraged rape and premarital sex and wanted the uniforms to be reviewed to suit Islamic ideals.

The uniform "disturbs the eyes of men, whether they like to see it or not ... because of that molestation, premarital sex and all kinds of other things occur," she had said in a statement last Wednesday.

She further said that the white blouse had become a source of attraction and that girls deliberately wore the dresses 'to lure men'.

Many students, teachers and social activists dismissed Munirah's remarks. Over the weekend, Hishammuddin was also quoted in the media as dismissing the complaints made by Munirah's group.

Hishammuddin also added that it was unlikely the minister would change the school uniforms.

However, Munirah found support from Aiman today.

Thin materials used

Aiman said that Hishammuddin as the Umno Youth chief should be sending the right message on decency and proper dressing according to Islamic values to his party members.

The PAS' women's wing also urged the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to conduct a thorough study on the link between sexy clothes to sex-related crimes.

sekolah menengah high school girls uniform She also urged Munirah's association to conduct a national survey among the students to gauge their views on the matter.

She also said students should use thicker material for their white uniforms.

"We can't ignore the fact that the material used to make these uniforms are too thin and girls do look sexy especially when they are not using the tudung (head scarf), which, if used, can cover their chest," said Aiman.

"They look sexy especially when they wear bras without any camisole to cover them and it is especially visible when the bras are coloured ones," she stressed.

She also urged the National Fatwa Council to issue a fresh fatwa (religious ruling) on the matter of dressing for all Muslim women, including schoolgirls.