The social realities of Malay women’s educational consciousness in Bulan Melayu magazine (1930-1941)

Zaharani, Nor Farhain and Mohd Noor Merican, Ahmad Murad and Özay, Mehmet (2026) The social realities of Malay women’s educational consciousness in Bulan Melayu magazine (1930-1941). Revelation and Science, 16 (1). pp. 61-74. E-ISSN 2229-9947

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Abstract

In the 1900s, the condition of Malay women was considered backward and underdeveloped. Hence, the Malay Women Teachers’ Association published Bulan Melayu magazine in Johor Bahru in 1930. This magazine was a stepping stone to shaping a progressive women’s society, particularly in education. The objective of this study is to discuss the genesis of Bulan Melayu magazine as the first women magazine published in Malaya. In addition, this paper aims to examine the educational issues raised in the magazine Bulan Melayu and how the Malay Women Teacher Association become a social agent to instil the education awareness to the Malay girls. Data is collected from the Bulan Melayu magazine’s first year’s publication, from the first to the ninth issue. First nine issues were collected and discussed because adequate information of the establishment of Bulan Melayu, Johor Women Teachers Association and the issues raised regarding education. Meanwhile, secondary sources are from reviewing relevant books and academic journals. The methodology of this study will be library research, along with descriptive analysis on historical approach. The findings show that Bulan Melayu was integrating its content with Islamic principles and values to raise awareness for females to acquire knowledge and manners, as well as the importance of education in eradicate women from ignorance and nurturing a virtous society. Women have been associated with the images of “madrasah” or schools and teachers to instil the spirit of acquiring knowledge among the Malay ladies.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Magazines, Bulan Melayu, Women Intellectuals, Nationalism, Education
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC)
Depositing User:	ASSOC.PROF MEHMET ÖZAY
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2026 16:59
Last Update:	25 Sep 2026 16:59
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5268
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131507
Indexed In:	Google Scholar, MyCite

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