Muslim group to consult on plans for Britain's first women's mosque
Group strongly disagrees with the view that a mixed congregational prayer can be led by women
MWC plans for a prayer space managed by women primarily for women. PHOTO: THE GUARDIAN
A group of Muslims intending to build Britain's first female-led mosque are to consult with Islamic scholars and locals over a prayer space primarily for women.
The idea behind the separate prayer space may be the belief of the Muslim Women's Council (MWC) that when it comes to places of worship, the space dedicated to women in mosques is quite insignificant.
In the initial process, the organisation is likely to discuss the various options for the women's mosque and the idea that it is to be managed by women only.
Read: Mosque in Cardiff opens doors to non-Muslims
Further, even though the MWC says the facility would be open to Muslim and non-Muslim communities, it strongly disagreed with the view that a mixed congregational prayer can be led by women.
Adding that their intention was not to “go against the values and principles of Islam.”
The organisation has a list of plans which offers Muslim women a sense of security and independence. The facilities include freedom to follow religious beliefs, services for divorce, bereavement, legal advice as well as for parenting and feeding the homeless.
Read: French Muslim leader calls for doubling of mosques
Being aware of the importance of education, MWC also aims to promote Islamic education and scholarship for British Muslim women.
Further, according to the founding member and chief executive of the Council, Bana Gora whose team carried out a local audit of mosques, the biggest problem faced by Muslim women is that mosques lack "representation on governance structures was nonexistent, on committees and boards."
While stating that many UK mosques are "dated and unwelcoming," Gora went on to say that the MWC intended to provide a safe space for young women to learn about their religion and attain a sense of independence at a time when “many young people feel that their faith is no longer relevant, or are going to extremes”.
Read: UAE's Sheikh Zayed Mosque: A masterpiece of Islamic architecture
The focus is initially on Bradford, where there are 110 mosques and where a quarter of the population say they are Muslim.
Even though congregations in mosques are led by imams who are traditionally male, according to certain Islamic schools of thought, women too can lead other women in prayer.
In China, there are female imams and women's mosques, with Wangjia Hutong Women’s Mosque of Kaifeng, established in 1820 being the oldest surviving one.
This article originally appeared on The Guardian
The idea behind the separate prayer space may be the belief of the Muslim Women's Council (MWC) that when it comes to places of worship, the space dedicated to women in mosques is quite insignificant.
In the initial process, the organisation is likely to discuss the various options for the women's mosque and the idea that it is to be managed by women only.
Read: Mosque in Cardiff opens doors to non-Muslims
Further, even though the MWC says the facility would be open to Muslim and non-Muslim communities, it strongly disagreed with the view that a mixed congregational prayer can be led by women.
Adding that their intention was not to “go against the values and principles of Islam.”
The organisation has a list of plans which offers Muslim women a sense of security and independence. The facilities include freedom to follow religious beliefs, services for divorce, bereavement, legal advice as well as for parenting and feeding the homeless.
Read: French Muslim leader calls for doubling of mosques
Being aware of the importance of education, MWC also aims to promote Islamic education and scholarship for British Muslim women.
Further, according to the founding member and chief executive of the Council, Bana Gora whose team carried out a local audit of mosques, the biggest problem faced by Muslim women is that mosques lack "representation on governance structures was nonexistent, on committees and boards."
While stating that many UK mosques are "dated and unwelcoming," Gora went on to say that the MWC intended to provide a safe space for young women to learn about their religion and attain a sense of independence at a time when “many young people feel that their faith is no longer relevant, or are going to extremes”.
Read: UAE's Sheikh Zayed Mosque: A masterpiece of Islamic architecture
The focus is initially on Bradford, where there are 110 mosques and where a quarter of the population say they are Muslim.
Even though congregations in mosques are led by imams who are traditionally male, according to certain Islamic schools of thought, women too can lead other women in prayer.
In China, there are female imams and women's mosques, with Wangjia Hutong Women’s Mosque of Kaifeng, established in 1820 being the oldest surviving one.
This article originally appeared on The Guardian