Our Sisters and the Mosque

How many times have we heard these statements? "Islam raised the status of women 1400 years ago and made them equal to men," or "Women are more respected in Islam than in other religions."
 
These are true and valid statements indeed, but often, as in other aspects of contemporary Islamic life, there is a discrepancy between the ideal and the practice, and between the claim and the reality.  There is a clear double standard in the way many brothers treat non-Muslim women they encounter socially or in their workplace, and the way they treat Muslim sisters in the mosques, as if the mosque is a place where normal common sense civil interactions are suspended.
 
According to the last PEW study about the religious practices of American Muslims,   more women (48%) pray five times a day than men (34%)  , and younger Muslims (under 30) attend mosques more regularly than older Muslims.
 
In addressing the women's prayer space by U.S. mosques, three main practices are prevalent:  Many mosques have the women praying behind curtains (a bedcover or carpet in some cases), or barriers in the least accessible, least maintained, and least spiritual area. Some mosques designate the women's prayer hall away from the men's main prayer hall,   away from the Imam, away from speakers and away from attention.  Still some  mosques do not even designate a prayer area for women and do not allow women to pray in the mosque, as if they are not familiar with the Prophet's Hadith "Don't prevent Ima'a Allah "Muslim women" from the mosques of Allah."
 
The Mosque Foundation has been on the forefront of addressing women's roles and needs. Our sisters play a central role in the mosque affairs and administration from our Vice President and four Board of Director members, to our Community Center Director. Some of our most active committees are headed by or composed of a majority of women, including the Social Services Committee, the Interfaith Committee, the Education Committee, the Food Pantry, and the Monthly English Program. Our Imams are among few Imams in the Chicago area who often address issues related to women, such as education, the status of women in Islam, domestic violence, and the rights and responsibilities of both spouses. Furthermore, a major goal of our current Expansion Project is to accommodate the increasing needs of our sisters by building a new prayer hall for women which will be more accessible to the mosque services, Imams' offices, counseling rooms, and babysitting facilities. We can, and should, do more to address the needs of our sisters, wives, mothers, and daughters.
 
Our prophet (PBUH) said, "Be gentle to women, they are fragile like glass."  I urge you,   next time you see a sister in the mosque, greet her with "Assalamu Alaikum", ask if she needs any help, be accommodating, welcoming and gentle, and yes, lower your gaze. Follow the best role model - your prophet (PBUH).
 
Dr. M. Zaher Sahloul