Woman leads Muslim prayers in UK
Professor Wadud's actions provoked opposition among traditional muslims
A female professor has become the first woman to lead a mixed congregation in Islamic prayer in Britain.
American Amina Wadud arrived in Oxford to give the Friday sermon.
The move has angered many Muslims and a small group of protesters gathered outside Wolfson College to voice their opposition.
Professor Wadud took the service - or khutbah - to mark the start of a conference on Islam and feminism at the college.
Leap forward It is Islamic tradition that imams, who are always men, hold mixed services.
But the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (MECO), which invited Professor Wadud to lead the prayers, described the event as a "leap forward for theological destiny".
We're here to uphold the traditions and the values of Islam and uphold the ways of the prophet - peace be upon him Aishah Samah, protester There's nothing in the Koran that prohibits it," she said.
"My own theological research into the essence of Islam indicates the necessity for us to be able to move away from the tradition that restricted women from the practice of leading prayer."
"This is not my norm," she added.
"My norm is to pray and then cook dinner or something."
One protester said having a woman leading prayers in this way was "against Islam".
"We're here to uphold the traditions and the values of Islam and uphold the ways of the prophet - peace be upon him," said Aishah Samah, a protester from Oxford.
'Highly-respected'
Another Muslim woman, Maryan Ramzy, said: "We have no objections to women being heads of state, or organisation leaders.
"Women are highly-respected in Islam. But in Islamic law, women cannot lead prayer."
The protestors had ignored a plea from a local Muslim leader not to picket the mosque as it would give the event more publicity.
"I urge the local Muslim people not to protest," said Sabir Hussain Mirza, the chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford.
The council said it represented 98% of Muslims in Oxford and opposed women leading mixed prayers.
However, Mr Mirza said that the event was "nothing to do with us".
In March 2005, Professor Wadud held Friday prayers to a mixed congregation in New York.
Protests were also held on that occasion.
Professor Wadud's actions provoked opposition among traditional muslims
A female professor has become the first woman to lead a mixed congregation in Islamic prayer in Britain.
American Amina Wadud arrived in Oxford to give the Friday sermon.
The move has angered many Muslims and a small group of protesters gathered outside Wolfson College to voice their opposition.
Professor Wadud took the service - or khutbah - to mark the start of a conference on Islam and feminism at the college.
Leap forward It is Islamic tradition that imams, who are always men, hold mixed services.
But the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (MECO), which invited Professor Wadud to lead the prayers, described the event as a "leap forward for theological destiny".
We're here to uphold the traditions and the values of Islam and uphold the ways of the prophet - peace be upon him Aishah Samah, protester There's nothing in the Koran that prohibits it," she said.
"My own theological research into the essence of Islam indicates the necessity for us to be able to move away from the tradition that restricted women from the practice of leading prayer."
"This is not my norm," she added.
"My norm is to pray and then cook dinner or something."
One protester said having a woman leading prayers in this way was "against Islam".
"We're here to uphold the traditions and the values of Islam and uphold the ways of the prophet - peace be upon him," said Aishah Samah, a protester from Oxford.
'Highly-respected'
Another Muslim woman, Maryan Ramzy, said: "We have no objections to women being heads of state, or organisation leaders.
"Women are highly-respected in Islam. But in Islamic law, women cannot lead prayer."
The protestors had ignored a plea from a local Muslim leader not to picket the mosque as it would give the event more publicity.
"I urge the local Muslim people not to protest," said Sabir Hussain Mirza, the chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford.
The council said it represented 98% of Muslims in Oxford and opposed women leading mixed prayers.
However, Mr Mirza said that the event was "nothing to do with us".
In March 2005, Professor Wadud held Friday prayers to a mixed congregation in New York.
Protests were also held on that occasion.
here is a link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7676239.stm
2 comments:
Wow --- I am shocked, ppl have been saying that this would happen but I never thought in a million years that this would eventually happen Subhanallah...I mean can she even do that, so sicking when ppl try to change the religion, GOD made it perfect so what the hell makes you think you can change it --- I mean who do they think they are???
Im juz completly shocked...Why?
What makes this Amina Wadud think she has the position to lead a prayer, apprently she doesnt even wear the hijab properly and shes gallavanting leading friday prayers, she should be ashamed of herself, If Allah wanted women to lead the prayers he would have made it so, right?
Im all for women's rights and power and all of that, but this is absoultly ridicoules.
They’re just trying to provoke us by bringing issues like that … they know women aren’t allowed to lead the prayer let along Juma’s khotba … It’s not the matter of if she’s qualified or not It Haram and that’s just the bottom line. Another thing, I think because westerns hate how Muslim women are conservative and covered up and they think they’re enforced. Not only that they hate how Islam shows more respect for women so they try to mix it with control because they know that Islam doesn’t allow women to go and lead the pray in the mosque or lead the country. Seriously!! why do that if there are qualified men who can do that better than women can ever do. Don’t get me wrong!! I’m not underestimating women’s ability but things like leading the country or hard core job r better for men they’re body is more stiff and can handle more pressure than women can ever do. & if u think about it if the women does the men job whose gonna rise the children.. No!! Why ask!! Look at all successful women in US and look at they’re families they won’t look all bright and shiny not even close to successful. I think I’m gonna stop now coz I got just little carried away.
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