WOMEN FIND SPACE IN MOSQUE
FROM RASHEED KIDWAI
New Delhi, Oct. 24:
Muslim women have begun offering namaz inside mosques that had remained
until now the exclusive domain of men.
In the Jama Masjid, several women can be seen during Asar (afternoon),
Magrib (sunset) or Jumma (Friday) prayers. But they have a separate
enclosure.
Another orthodox group, Ahle Haddith (followers of the sayings of the
Prophet), has gone a step further — it has put up posters in the narrow
bylanes of Shahjahanabad inviting women to special prayers for Id in
December.
“We want to encourage women to visit mosques as frequently as possible.
It is always better to offer namaz behind an imam in a jamat
(gathering),” a representative of Ahle Haddith said.
The clergy has reluctantly accepted the new trend as there is nothing in
Islam that prohibits women from offering prayers five times a day 365
days a year in mosques. According to Islamic scholars, women regularly
attended mosques until Khaliph Omar restricted their entry.
Anis Durrani, chairman of the Delhi Haj Committee, said: “In Islam,
there is no discrimination between genders in fulfilling religious
obligations. Performing Haj is mandatory for both men and women. In the
holy mosques of Mecca and Medina, women and men pray together.”
In the Arab countries, women frequent mosques where they have a separate
enclosure. In India, however, women praying in mosques is considered
taboo.
Not all sections are happy with this new trend. Many Muslims with strong
religious sentiments feel women should offer prayers at home as Islam
has made such a provision.
They believe that in a country like India, it can lead to “shar”
(mischief) and the community will earn a bad name if anything goes
wrong.
Bhai Zaki, a resident of Matiamahal, Jama Masjid, said he would allow
his wife, sister and mother to visit mosques provided there are “proper
arrangements” such as separate enclosures and preferably separate
entrances and exits. “You see, it is all a matter of how strong your
faith is,” he said, regretting that piety have become rare traits among
Muslims.
Muslim society has been going through a slow but significant social
transformation over the past few months. First, the All-India Muslim
Personal Law Board agreed to hold a dialogue with the National
Commission for Women on gender-specific discriminations.
It then decided to prepare a model nikahnama (marriage contract) to put
an end to postal talaq and instant triple talaq, and enforce payment of
mehr (bridal price) and maintenance in case of separation.