(RNS) The walls that segregate Muslim men from women inside many American mosques took a long time to go up, and it could be a long time before they come down.
On Saturday (Feb. 20), Fatima Thompson will find out just how firm those walls are.
Thompson, 44, is planning for about 30 like-minded Muslims to help her stage a “stand-in” at the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., in a bid to persuade mosque leaders to remove a seven-foot partition behind which women pray — or at least allow women the option of praying in front of it.
“Every woman should be able to stand with the congregation. That’s the correct way,” said Thompson, who converted to Islam 18 years ago.
Thompson’s protest at the stately mosque along Embassy Row is the latest effort by Muslim activists to reform conditions in American mosques that they say are discriminatory and degrading to women.
Muslim prayers are typically led by male imams. Behind them are rows of men, and behind them rows of women and children. But according to a 2001 report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, in nearly two-thirds of American mosques, female worshippers pray behind a partition, or in balconies or rooms that are separate from the main congregation hall.
Some women say the separate spaces — sometimes filthy, often crowded with children — make it impossible to see and hard to hear the imam. The whole experience has led many women to stay home altogether, activists say.
Despite calls by CAIR and other major Muslim-American organizations to allow women access to the main prayer halls, or at least decent prayer spaces for women, few mosques seem to have reformed.
It’s been a contentious issue within American Islam for several years, as disputes erupted inside — and sometimes outside — mosques in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Charlotte, N.C., and Morgantown, W.V.
Some Muslims have left to form more egalitarian congregations. A smaller minority of U.S. Muslims have openly advocated for mixed-gender prayers, or even allowing women to lead prayers, as long as they are qualified.
Ani Zonneveld of Los Angeles said she and about 20 other Muslims have formed their own congregation, using rented space inside a church in West Hollywood. There, space is available for “unsegregated prayer,” where men and women can pray side by side, as well as space for worshippers who prefer gender segregation.
“This is a lot more family-friendly. With us, fathers can pray with their daughters,” said Zonneveld.
Islam’s sacred text, the Quran, mentions nothing about partitions or separate female prayer spaces. But a hadith — one of the collected stories of the Prophet Muhammad that are a source of guidance — describes Muhammad organizing a prayer: “He put the men in the row closest to him, the children in a row behind the men, and the women in a row behind the children.”
Opponents say the lack of a mention within the Quran, and no reference to a barrier in the hadith, suggests that women should be praying in the main hall. In fact, women prayed alongside men for centuries, they say, and physical barriers were developed by South Asian and Arab cultures seeking to distinguish themselves from Western promiscuity.
“They think this somehow proves they’re more pious,” said Pamela Taylor, a board member of Muslims for Progressive Values, a grassroots group.
Some women say their second-class status isn’t confined to the mosque. The same mindset also allows or overlooks domestic violence and limits women’s access to education and jobs.
“As long as we segregate ourselves in the mosques, we will never be free in the world,” said Asra Nomani, a journalist who has tried, with mixed results, to improve conditions for women in her hometown mosque in Morgantown, W.V.
Before deciding to pursue her stand-in, Thompson said she tried to meet with the mosque’s director, Abdullah M. Khouj. She said she called several times and hand-delivered a grievance letter to a mosque employee on Feb. 5, a Friday, when Muslims hold congregational prayers.
She also handed out fliers to congregants, piquing interest from a few younger women and criticism from some older women who frowned on change. At least one man threatened to call the police, Thompson said.
Khouj did not respond to a request for comment, but Fatima Goodwin, a mosque employee who also worships there, said Thompson is acting alone.
“Not a single woman that prays here has expressed disagreement with the partition,” said Goodwin. “On the contrary, all of the women that pray here want the partition because it gives us privacy.”
Indeed, female activists say some of their strongest resistance comes from women themselves, who say the separation protects them from male ogling or distraction. Pro-inclusion activists say those women should have access to separate space if they want it, but the choice should also be offered to women who want to be in the main prayer hall.
While Zonneveld, from Los Angeles, applauded Thompson’s effort, she wondered if building new walls isn’t easier than tearing down old ones.
“This mosque is not going to budge,” she said. “Maybe it would be better if they concentrated on building their own congregation.”
By Omar Sacirbey
Copyright 2010 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
Beliefnet
Advertisement
posted February 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Liberalization is all to the good.
posted February 18, 2010 at 7:52 pm
If the Quran doesn’t mention sticking the women/children behind walls, why did the American Muslims start it in the first place? Following the discrimination of the likes of Iran, Iraq etc? Not good examples.
posted February 19, 2010 at 7:44 am
If the women doesn’t like the segregation of men and women in her religion. Perhaps. She should find another religions that is more to her belifes.
posted February 19, 2010 at 10:26 am
Because Muslim men have a problem controlling their sexual proclivities, which is evident in the fact that women must keep themselves completely covered in public so as to avoid the libidinous eyes of their weak-willed men, I’m not sure I would want to stand among them in worship either. If I were a Muslim woman I would prefer to simply have a separate time of worship so that I didn’t have to be in the same mosque at the same time as the men, or a separate mosque altogether.
posted February 19, 2010 at 10:38 am
islam opens the door to the mind, body and soul of women. Just as long as you stay out of sight. Why is this Fatima Thompson fighting about this issue now, didnt she know this before converting to islam and do you Fatima think you can fix this problem when the whole of the islamic world follow the male/female mosque segregation rule just as they require good women to wear the Burka, Chador (Full covering of the women body). It is said the more devout the muslim women are the more they will completely cover themselves up, until altoghter women are out of sight. Hope you find your spiritually.
posted February 19, 2010 at 11:19 am
There are large parts of the Muslim world where whole body coverings are, I think, rare. And the men and women don’t just stand, they kneel. So I can see a little of the other side; being pious right behind the some lady’s bum could be a bit tougher I suppose (I’ve never been pious, so I’m guessing).
Nonetheless change starts with one person and Islam needs a lot of change.
And devoutness is a problem in every religion.
posted February 19, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Please learn about true face of islam here
http://www.faithfreedom.org
http://www.jihadwatch.org
http://www.islam-watch.org
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com
posted February 19, 2010 at 3:17 pm
hailda, Islam can’t open the minds, body and soul of women if there are men around? Is this because men can’t control their prayer life in the Muslim world with women around? Just wondered.
“Good women” wear the Burka or a Chador? GOOD women? What do you say to the women who just wear a scarf, and clothes that cover the body, but not the Burka or Chador? They are not GOOD? They aren’t following the proper Muslim dictates? It is obvious that there are some women who find that they aren’t any less devout because they don’t hide themselves from the world.
posted February 19, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Good to hear that the Muslim women of 2010 are reaching for the freedom in their Mosques as we women in other American Churches have attained. I don’t think the Muslim men are unable to control their eyes and their minds only if the Muslim women are covered up, or on the other side of a partition in a Mosque. They cover them up to show ownership, and their control over the women. It is no longer the era of the Arabian Nights.
posted February 19, 2010 at 8:43 pm
I haven’t seen one Muslim male comment here yet and most of the posters have no clue what the objective of the Muslim prayer means to the faithful or what it is like to reach the holiness objection. Why change? Right now there is no reason for change other than western reasoning. Westerns have no right to call for change especially those who are not even Muslim.
posted February 19, 2010 at 9:06 pm
“Why change?” cknuck
Why not?
How is religion improved and made more equal without change? Why, yet again is change always bad? Women being treated as 2nd class citizens is not new to some religions, and the woman(women)in the article is tired of being smushed into stuffed room, where apparently they can’t even hear the leader speak. How does that improve women’s spiritual lives if the can’t even hear the leader of the Mosque? This is America…not the Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia etc. Women are a force to be reckoned with.
posted February 20, 2010 at 11:01 pm
pagan you value no religion and your motto is “do what you want” spiritual disciplines mean nothing to you so when you give advice about religions it would serve the devote well to flee from you.
posted February 20, 2010 at 11:38 pm
“…..it would serve the devote well to flee from you.” cknuck
)
Hey, as long as they wave as they go!
As to “value” of religion. I value my beliefs and respect those of others. Don’t have 2nd class citizens (members) in my belief system. The fact that many religions think women aren’t considered equal to men means that particular part of their religion doesn’t deserve “value”. Bringing up inequalities in religion is the right of anyone who wishes to express it. We are allowed (if you will) in this country to express our beliefs. If I was in Iran or some other Muslim countries…somehow I think those rights aren’t considered at all…especially for a WOMAN.
Have a good night.
posted February 20, 2010 at 11:42 pm
cknuck you really value only your particular version of one religion so when you give advice about anyone else’s religion it would serve that person well to flee from you. ps, on the other hand, might give objective advice.
Of course many might say paganism is a religion, which would invalidate your whole point and mine.
But actually you can’t judge a person or the value of their advice by their religion or lack thereof. If you did you’d open yourself to con men and all sorts of bad decisions.
posted February 21, 2010 at 10:48 am
I’m a Muslim woman, also a convert, and contrary to the statements of the mosque employee, I have never liked the prayer space accommodation for women at the Islamic Center, which is one reason I do not often pray there. A friend and I have decided to pray in the main hall outside of the “penalty box” set aside for women when the mosque is not crowded.
posted February 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Ify what is a ” penalty box”, which is set aside for women?
posted February 21, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Henrietta, check out the pics in my post over here: http://muslimmatters.org/2010/02/08/the-penalty-box/
In short, a penalty box can be defined as the inferior, sub-standard, second-class believer inducing prayer spaces reserved for women and by extension many children at some mosques including the Islamic Center in Washington D.C.
posted February 21, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Ify, thank you so much for your imput on this subject. It is nice to hear the opinion of a woman who is a convert to the religion.
posted February 21, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Ify, I read the article you wrote and did see the pictures that were included in it. Not a pleasant place to pray, from the looks of the pictures. Keep up the fight…women aren’t 2nd class citizens..and IMO religion should lead the way for equality, not hender it. Good luck to you.
posted February 21, 2010 at 6:56 pm
ify I read it, too. Poignant I think. And thank you for posting here; far too few Muslims do so.
I understand you converted to Islam looking for a religion that “dignified and validated [your] existence as a human being” and haven’t exactly found it. I’m glad you are trying to change what you found and wish you luck.
If, at some point, you get too frustrated one choice you might make is to try a Unitarian-Universalist fellowship or church. They would respect and surely welcome someone with your background.
Now it’s my understanding Islam requires a high penalty of anyone who quits the faith. I wonder whether you would have any fear of leaving Islam, whether or not you would ever consider doing so.
posted February 21, 2010 at 11:45 pm
@pagansister: Indeed, women are not second-class citizens. I’ve visited mosques around the country and in Canada and the ones with the worst conditions for women tend to be dominated by people from countries that also have a poor record of treating women. The best ones tend to have a strong indigenous American flavor or are dominated by people from countries where the contributions of women are more highly valued.
@nnmns: It’s a cliche but Islam is perfect for me even though some of the Muslims I encounter (including myself) are imperfect. I was once at an multi-faith Open Houses of Faith event co-sponsored by the Girl Scouts and had a chance to spend some time talking to two U-U pastors/ministers (not exactly sure what the appropriate title is) about their beliefs. I respect their openness and acceptance of people with a wide-range of views but I don’t think that is for me. As for leaving Islam, I am quite happy in my faith if not always with my co-religionists but have no fear of leaving Islam, the penalty is largely theoretical and not even applicable in our current circumstances.
posted February 22, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Just read your article Ify that you posted. It’s very interesting, but seems a million miles from my life as a Christian. Thank you for posting your well written thoughts on what life is like for Muslim women here in America. A picture really is worth more than a thousand words, I hope you carry out your idea on the photos. Be happy in all you do.
posted February 22, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Ify:
Am so happy to hear that not all Mosques are the same. Also glad to hear that you are happy in your chosen faith. That is truely important.
posted February 23, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Chuck – This is America. We do NOT value segregation. It is against our values, and should be respected, PERIOD. If someone feels differently, they have landed on the wrong soil. There is no room for 14th century practices.
Regards,
Chris King
posted February 23, 2010 at 9:59 pm
ChrisKing, what in the world does that have to do with a age old religious practice?
posted February 23, 2010 at 10:01 pm
ify why don’t you post the pagan’s and H22′s support on your blog? I’d love to see that.
posted February 23, 2010 at 10:25 pm
cknuck, you really do have a problem with women trying to change unequal treatment in their chosen faith, huh? What is with the sarcastic comment to ify, who has expressed her opinion that doesn’t happen to agree with what you feel is proper. She loves her chosen religion, but doesn’t happen to agree with some of the prayer location assignments for women in it.
You’d be one of the Muslim men who feels the women(and children) should pray be behind a wall, I expect. And you get upset about Blacks having had to endure unequal treatment in this country for way too long, but it is OK for women in religion to be treated unequally. Interesting. Very interesting. Inequality is OK for some, but wasn’t for others. Inequality is never OK for anyone.
posted February 24, 2010 at 1:21 am
pagan as usual you are wrong my pastor is a woman. I do respect other people’s religion and stay out. I don’t comment on how pagans should be pagans or wiccans be wicca nor do I tell Muslims how to be Muslim. You however have to have a say in every religon, why is your religion so boring, or are you out to make every religion look like yours “anything goes”?
posted February 24, 2010 at 11:27 am
Yeah, cknuck, I know your pastor is a woman. You’ve brought that up even as you claim women shouldn’t lead churches. Anyhow, “Right now there is no reason for change other than Western Reasoning.” cknuck Feb 19, 8:43. Did it occur to you that the woman you were addressing, ify, is a convert to the Muslim religion, and feels that letting women into an area that allows them to hear and see the speaker is a good idea. That is a woman making/encouraging change in a religion she loves.
Here, on this site, one is expressing one’s opinion, not making rules…have you noticed? I express my opinion on other religions and others do the same. It’s called an exchange of ideas. The articles are put here for those who wish to do that. If everyone agreed all the time…how boring that would be.
If you don’t comment on other people’s religions, why do you post here?
posted February 24, 2010 at 7:07 pm
pagan question, “If you don’t comment on other people’s religions, why do you post here?”
because of the many articles concerning Christianity, my faith.
posted February 24, 2010 at 9:12 pm
“because of the many articles concerning Christianity, my faith” cknuck
Ahh.
And no, my religion certainly isn’t boring…in fact, religion in general is fascinating. One doesn’t have to “believe” or agree, to be fascinated by the vast differences and sameness of all the religions…starting with the early (wonderful) earth based ones of the native peoples of this country and other countries (Africa, Australia, for example)as well as those of the Mid-East, Eastern, early Ireland, England etc. Then there were those who decided that those early beliefs, earth based,(and others) were nonsense and inserted (sometimes by force) their own beliefs (some nonsense too) into the native ones, (and others) and haven’t stopped, because they think their way of thinking is superior and the only true way to believe. The arrogance of that is also fascinating, and sometimes just plain frustrating.
posted February 25, 2010 at 11:43 am
good points pagan
posted February 25, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Thank you, cknuck.
posted February 26, 2010 at 9:56 pm
am interested in anything about LGBT. Actually, we need to know more about LGBT to create our own world at (BiMingle…cccomee) and it can help us have a good and healthy life. Hopefully, more can be shared
posted July 14, 2011 at 2:07 am
Go to Bosnian Mosque we pray together.There is no wall or anything else to separate us from the men.