Scandinavia’s first women-only mosque opens in Denmark

Some religious leaders question theology and necessity of a women-only mosque

Scandinavia’s first women-only mosque has opened its doors in Denmark.

Muslim campaigner, Sherin Khankhan, is the imam and driving force behind the creation of “Mariam mosque”, the first mosque for women in Denmark.

“I have never felt comfortable in the existing mosques,” she told Danish news agency, Politiken. “The big new mosques are beautiful, but I’ve always had the feeling of being a stranger… [Mosques are] male-dominated and patriarchal places, where a man is at the speaking platform, a man leads prayer, a man is in focus and dominant. That’s why we have created a mosque on a female premise."



The mosque will put women in-charge of Friday prayers as well as all administration. Khan explained that the mosque could be termed as a “feminist project” as it aims to ensure equal rights for Muslim women, for example by making it easier for them to divorce their husbands.

Mehmet Ümit Necef, an associate professor with the Centre for Middle East Studies at Copenhagen University, told Politiken, “While external criticism of Islam creates a defensive response amongst Muslims, criticism and new ideas from within is hugely positive.”

However, leaders of Copenhagen’s traditional mosques have responded critically, questioning the theology as well as necessity of a women-only mosque.

“They can do as they like, but their theological basis is wrong. Why is there a separate need for women only? Should we also build a men-only mosque? That would cause uproar in the Danish public,” Imam Waseem Hussein, chairperson of the Danish Islamic Centre, told Politiken. He said he does not believe that the mosque will be recognised by the majority of Danish Muslims.

According to Politiken, the mosque will have two female imams and a 12-member board, which will include two men. The location of the mosque has not yet been made public due to security concerns.

Hans Jørgen Bonnichsen, former head of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), told Politiken that he sees this as a sensible measure.



“If it is possible to keep the location of the mosque secret, then that is a guarantee [of its safety],” said Bønnichsen, adding, “But it is sad that it is necessary, a victory for extreme influences.”

This article originally appeared on The Local.