Maryam of A Dervish’s Du`a’ has a Powerpoint presentation titled “Is Your Masjid Sister Friendly?” It is worth viewing as it has photographic evidence of the difference between the facilities for men and women in some mosques.
In another post, Maryam says:
[S]exism in mosques […] is not a new idea, nor is it a particularly hidden one. Mostly Muslims don’t see the sexism because they think it’s the way things should be. But more and more of us are not content to accept the status quo. I just happen to be interested in it, because it’s the topic of my thesis.
That is definitely a very interesting thesis topic. I would very much like to read her thesis when it’s done.
She also provides a list of web resources about gender discrimination in mosques in the same post.
That reminds me: What happened to that survey about women and mosques Hijabman (if permalink not working, try my post about it) was doing? Hijabman, if you are reading, can you please let us know the results of the survey and your analysis of the same?
In other Muslim woman news, A Dervish’s Du`a’ has collected together quite a few recent book covers which have a picture of a veiled woman. Hey, if Armani can use the Muslim veil, why can’t these books?
Very important issue is raised. I am least comfortable with the state of affairs regarding this problem in Pakistan. Let me say that almost 90-95% of the mosques dont have any facility for women.
And if you travel, women have to put off the prayers till they reach the home. It makes you very upset.
Thanks for posting this Zack. It truly is a problem especially during the high capacity events… Islam has equality for women in so many ways, but this is not one of them…that is for sure.
No doubt women should also be provided facilities as good as for men. However, will somebody clarify with reference to Qur’aan and Hadith about necessity of men and women praying in mosques.
Asif, Renee: Agreed.
Dad: The Quran doesn’t differentiate between men and women when it exhorts them to pray or talks about the congregation prayers like Friday’s. Hadith is more contradictory. There is clear evidence in the Hadith that Muslim women prayed in the mosque in the times of Prophet Muhammad and he never stopped them. There are a few Hadiths though which try to establish a hierarchy of women prayer locations.
When I write my autobiography, I’ll be sure to put a picture of myself in a veil, though it has more to do with the fact that I’m not photogenic than it does my religious beliefs. Besides, a muslim woman in a burqa is so cliche. A guy in a burqa: now that’s hot stuff.
A.J.: That sounds like a good idea. 🙂 You should check out HijabMan.