UK First: Woman to lead Mixed Congregation

[Ibtisam]

In a UK first, a mixed congregation prayer is to be led by a woman at Oxford's Muslim Education Centre (MECO) on friday. Amina Wadud is to lead the prayer just as she did in America in 2005.

 

This has caused alot of controversy among mainstream Muslims where such an action is prohibited. This unique congregation is part of a two day conference on Islam and Feminism to which many speakers are expected, notably, Ruqaiyah Waris Maqsood.

 

Other participants include Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, Professor Margot Badran, Dr. Qudsia Mirza, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Abdennur Prado, Dr. Haifa Jawad. Rawand Othman, Dr Raja Rhouni, Erica Timoney.

 

Our inbox has been deluged with comments on this story. Here is one such mail sent by Br Sultan from Oxford who had the following to say:

 

I am sure you are all well aware of Prof Amina Wadud. This Islamic 'Professor' stirred up controversy by being the 1st Female to lead (mixed) congregation prayers in New York, 2005. She did this to show that Islam (supposedly) does not prohibit women from leading prayers.

 

Her actions resulted in many mosques and scholars condemning this action.

 

Well, the same professor is going to do the same this Friday Jummah in Oxford.

 

MECO (the so-called "moderate" and "progressive" Muslim organisation) chairman, Dr. Taj Hargey invited Prof. Amina Wadud to lead the service as part of a two-day conference on Islam and Feminism.

 

Dr. Hargey said he did not regard the decision as controversial, but as "historic and pioneering" and believed there was evidence that women led prayers in the time of Prophet Mohammed.

 

I would like to know where Dr. Hargey gets his "evidence" as he clearly does not believe in HADITHS (just see the MECO website) and women leading prayers is not in the QURAN. He seems to be another one of these Muslims who get government support as he says the right things the UK likes to hear.

 

Now, we are all for Mosque reform to allow sisters open rights to do prayers within mosques (if they wish to do so). We are also all for our sisters to enjoy their God-given rights as equals (something which the vast majority of our Muslim men fail to act upon) but I do have to say that I draw the line when women are allowed to lead congregation prayers (which consist of MEN and WOMEN) all for the sake of "liberty" and "progression".

 

There is no evidence within the Quran or Sunnah that women can lead (mixed) congregation prayers. She is, however, allowed to lead a congregation consisting ONLY of women.

 

Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that,

 

“The best rows for the men are the front ones and the least good are the ones toward the back; and the best rows for the women are the ones towards the back and the least good are the ones towards the front.”

 

This was for no other reason but to protect them from any embarrassment and to close the door before any evil thoughts or temptations come into the hearts of whoever might be looking at them otherwise. How could it be possible then that a woman can be in front of all rows leading the Friday prayer?

 

I believe this is being done for the sake of stirring up trouble (controversy) and I have to say that I am appalled that the Professor is going to makes speeches on "Islam and Feminism" in WOLFSON COLLEGE - OXFORD UNIVERSITY, if she feels Islam allows women to lead Congregation prayers.

 

By Dr Taj's definition I am an "extremist" for holding this view. This is funny since I always considered myself to be very moderate and balanced.

 

Now, I know that the Christians amongst us will say that their churches went through this "reform" several decades ago to allow women to be ordained as priests, and that Islam should go through this sort of reform as well. This slippery slope ended with the churches splitting into two.

 

Now, we have so called experts like Dr. Haj and Professor Amina doing exactly the same for Islam and mosques.

 

This is not 'progression'. This is making a mockery of religion under the guise of "equal rights".

 

Anyone against this event, should either Email MECO, OXFORD (do a Goggle search) or go outside Oxford Centre, 333 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7PL on Friday to voice your displeasure.

 

We welcome any comments you have for or against this UK first.

 

 

Further Reading:

http://forum.mpacuk.org/showthread.php?t=38255

http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/n..._lead_prayers/

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...EAskTheScholar

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...EAskTheSchola

[Jacaylbaro]

Are you going to be there ??

[Ibtisam]

^^^WHy would I :confused: If I did it would be to take pictures and have a laugh! lol

 

It is the friday gone.

[Jacaylbaro]

I just want to see the pictures ,,,,,,, anything ??

[nuune]

What a question yaa JB

[Dhubad.]

That is how it looks like when a woman leads a prayer.

 

 

As you can see on the pic, men and women are praying side-by-side....Acuudu Billah.

[Ibtisam]

^^This is the American one right?

[SayidSomal]

all i see is lots of Weeso being broken

[Dhubad.]

^^Yeah that is right but its the same womam(Amina Wadud).

 

Sayid, Weesada waxaaba kadaran waswaaska iyo sheedaanka oo ka faa'idaysta.

[Ibtisam]

^^I should not laugh, really because she is lost, kuwa following haaba sheekin, but seriously, they prayed in a church because all the mosques said no.

[SayidSomal]

shaydaan or no shaydaan - broken Weeso = invalid prayer. keep it simple!

[Jacaylbaro]

Praying in a Church ??? :confused: :mad: :confused:

[NGONGE]

Puts me in mind of that joke about the Imam with the macawis problem and the helpful man praying behind him.....

[nuune]

Ngonge looooool@the joke, it was actually ardey dugi loox and their macalin, the macalin told his dugi loox students that they should continue reciting the Quraan untill he prays, hortooda ayuu salaadii ku xirtey, dee macawiistii ayaa, waad ila taqaan sheekada, halkaas baan uga baxey

[Jacaylbaro]