Comments on: Women and the Wall -Ruth Nasrullah http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/ Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: HassanTakifullah http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-59007 HassanTakifullah Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:02:23 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-59007 <em>-Comment removed. Personal and offensive. Future comments in the same vein will get you banned -Editor</em> -Comment removed. Personal and offensive. Future comments in the same vein will get you banned -Editor

]]> By: The Penalty Box: Muslim Women’s Prayer Spaces « Muslim Apple http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-59002 The Penalty Box: Muslim Women’s Prayer Spaces « Muslim Apple Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:17:15 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-59002 [...] the comments. Ruth Nasrullah, a former MM writer expressed similar sentiments two years ago in her Women and the Wall [...] [...] the comments. Ruth Nasrullah, a former MM writer expressed similar sentiments two years ago in her Women and the Wall [...]

]]> By: The Penalty Box: Muslim Women’s Prayer Spaces | MuslimMatters.org http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-58997 The Penalty Box: Muslim Women’s Prayer Spaces | MuslimMatters.org Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:06:28 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-58997 [...] Nasrullah: Women and the Wall var addthis_pub = 'muslimmatters'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'gmail, [...] [...] Nasrullah: Women and the Wall var addthis_pub = 'muslimmatters'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'gmail, [...]

]]> By: muslimmatters.org » And One Year Ago, MM was Born http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-15334 muslimmatters.org » And One Year Ago, MM was Born Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:06:17 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-15334 [...] stars down to earth, by paying respect to grassroot activism. 5. The Earth Complained, but women aren’t far behind. 4. Tips on saving yourself from Banks, Media and Dead Ideas. 3. Waking people up to Islamophobia [...] [...] stars down to earth, by paying respect to grassroot activism. 5. The Earth Complained, but women aren’t far behind. 4. Tips on saving yourself from Banks, Media and Dead Ideas. 3. Waking people up to Islamophobia [...]

]]> By: Umm Reem http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4659 Umm Reem Sun, 29 Jul 2007 17:21:40 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4659 Meetings are not same as prayers. Prayers need khushu', meetings need raising and addressing issues. Sometimes, I want to put the brothers behind the barrier and hand them a mic. and then ask them to hold meetings to organize conferences when they can't see the moderator neither the board nor projector! Sister Ruth, I am so glad you brought up this issue. I hope more brothers read this and try to learn something from this esp. those involved in community activities. Meetings are not same as prayers. Prayers need khushu’, meetings need raising and addressing issues.

Sometimes, I want to put the brothers behind the barrier and hand them a mic. and then ask them to hold meetings to organize conferences when they can’t see the moderator neither the board nor projector!

Sister Ruth, I am so glad you brought up this issue. I hope more brothers read this and try to learn something from this esp. those involved in community activities.

]]> By: MsAlice http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4657 MsAlice Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:45:57 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4657 As a woman, a wife and a mother, I cannot stress enough what a dire need there is for Mosques to become the center of community life. How can that happen when women are hidden behind a barrier or discouraged from attending the mosque? Mothers are the first and most influential teachers of their children. Countless studies have shown that a child's future successes has a firm basis on the level of education of the mother. If we are to have a society of informed Muslim men AND women, it is incumbent that women become educated in matters of their Deen, and become aware of the rights that Islam has afforded them, and the legacy and knowledge of the generations that came before them. As a society, it's just common sense that the Mosques serve that function. This entails not only the lifting of barriers, but a completely new approach to the matter. This in no way endorses going against Islamic teachings or beliefs, but rather aims at an attempt towards the restoration of a society that had the example of the Best of Men; just applied to the needs of society today. Think about your local mosque; what kind of arrangements are there for women? The space and condition that's allocated to women is analogous to the position and respect that the locality (and society) holds them in. During the time of the Prophet (pbuh), women were held in the highest regard. The women prayed behind the men, without any barriers. They were taught by the Prophet (pbuh) without a barrier and without any sensory deprivation. If this teaches us anything, it's how women were never treated as less than their male counterparts, but rather were treated with dignity and equality. If we applied this standard today, then we would have much less turbulence in our society. Our community would be more unified and our presence well established. More importantly, our women- the future mothers and teachers of the next generations of Muslims, would have a place to form bonds to their community, where the common link would be the teachings of Islam. Shouldn't the goal be a society that is deeply rooted? Now, I ask you how can this occur when women are getting the message that they are unwelcome, or that only their culinary presence is valued? This is not only tragic but has grave consequences on how women are regarded as functioning members of society. It's time to stop turning a blind eye to the needs and wants of a group that constitutes half-if not more-of our society; but rather to utilize and maximize on their talents and efforts in order to establish the mosque as a center of community life. This has to begin somewhere; why not start from acknowledging your spiritual equals by giving them justice in their place of worship? JazzakAllah Khayran Sr. Ruth for writing such a necessary article. As a woman, a wife and a mother, I cannot stress enough what a dire need there is for Mosques to become the center of community life. How can that happen when women are hidden behind a barrier or discouraged from attending the mosque?
Mothers are the first and most influential teachers of their children. Countless studies have shown that a child’s future successes has a firm basis on the level of education of the mother. If we are to have a society of informed Muslim men AND women, it is incumbent that women become educated in matters of their Deen, and become aware of the rights that Islam has afforded them, and the legacy and knowledge of the generations that came before them.
As a society, it’s just common sense that the Mosques serve that function. This entails not only the lifting of barriers, but a completely new approach to the matter. This in no way endorses going against Islamic teachings or beliefs, but rather aims at an attempt towards the restoration of a society that had the example of the Best of Men; just applied to the needs of society today.
Think about your local mosque; what kind of arrangements are there for women? The space and condition that’s allocated to women is analogous to the position and respect that the locality (and society) holds them in.
During the time of the Prophet (pbuh), women were held in the highest regard. The women prayed behind the men, without any barriers. They were taught by the Prophet (pbuh) without a barrier and without any sensory deprivation. If this teaches us anything, it’s how women were never treated as less than their male counterparts, but rather were treated with dignity and equality.
If we applied this standard today, then we would have much less turbulence in our society. Our community would be more unified and our presence well established. More importantly, our women- the future mothers and teachers of the next generations of Muslims, would have a place to form bonds to their community, where the common link would be the teachings of Islam. Shouldn’t the goal be a society that is deeply rooted? Now, I ask you how can this occur when women are getting the message that they are unwelcome, or that only their culinary presence is valued? This is not only tragic but has grave consequences on how women are regarded as functioning members of society. It’s time to stop turning a blind eye to the needs and wants of a group that constitutes half-if not more-of our society; but rather to utilize and maximize on their talents and efforts in order to establish the mosque as a center of community life. This has to begin somewhere; why not start from acknowledging your spiritual equals by giving them justice in their place of worship?

JazzakAllah Khayran Sr. Ruth for writing such a necessary article.

]]> By: Conundrum for Convert Sisters : Muslim Bloggers Alliance http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4648 Conundrum for Convert Sisters : Muslim Bloggers Alliance Sun, 29 Jul 2007 08:43:12 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4648 [...] sisters are complaining about feeling unwelcome at local Masjid events, which I know for a fact is not a new issue. Other sisters are complaining [...] [...] sisters are complaining about feeling unwelcome at local Masjid events, which I know for a fact is not a new issue. Other sisters are complaining [...]

]]> By: brnaeem http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4557 brnaeem Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:09:46 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4557 AA- Very nice post Sr. Ruth. In addition to the necessity of addressing the inequal treatment of the sisters at many masajids, the basic role of the masjid must also be clarified. For example, across the Muslim world, the masjid is solely a place of worship - people pray and leave. Occasionally a talk will take place, but not much else happens there. In the West, the Masjid functions as so much more and so the dynamics taking place there are going to be so very different. Thus the role of sisters and how brothers interact with them must reflect this change in the role of the Masjid. Another point worth discussing - how does living in a society where interaction with the opposite sex is the daily norm affect the gender relations taking place in the Masjid? I know many sisters who would have no problem dealing with non-Muslim men in their daily activities, but when they came to the masjid, they acted completely different. The same applies for the brothers. Why the double standard? I think Mujahideen Ryder was referring to the next generation not having this bipolar attitude. WA- Naeem AA-

Very nice post Sr. Ruth. In addition to the necessity of addressing the inequal treatment of the sisters at many masajids, the basic role of the masjid must also be clarified.

For example, across the Muslim world, the masjid is solely a place of worship – people pray and leave. Occasionally a talk will take place, but not much else happens there.

In the West, the Masjid functions as so much more and so the dynamics taking place there are going to be so very different.

Thus the role of sisters and how brothers interact with them must reflect this change in the role of the Masjid.

Another point worth discussing – how does living in a society where interaction with the opposite sex is the daily norm affect the gender relations taking place in the Masjid?

I know many sisters who would have no problem dealing with non-Muslim men in their daily activities, but when they came to the masjid, they acted completely different. The same applies for the brothers.

Why the double standard? I think Mujahideen Ryder was referring to the next generation not having this bipolar attitude.

WA-
Naeem

]]> By: Alefyah http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4542 Alefyah Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:05:56 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4542 It doesn't matter whether the partition is side by side or front and back, what matters is our attitude. Unfortunately, not only muslim men, but men in general don't give the same level of respect to their muslim sisters vs brothers. On the other hand, being a woman, I've personally found very few 'wise' women. In the masjid I see them screaming for masala space and I really feel ashamed. One has to be frank that on a majority, it's impossibly hard to control 'such' women. I know for a man, looking at this avatar of women would make him feel that a woman has no or less ability than a man, but it takes courage to look beyond this steoreotyping. A few women may be bad, just like a few men but our attitude should always be positive. The day we genuinely respect each other and value each others views, thoughts and abilities - The partitions won't matter. PS: A solution to mothers with children and single mulim sisters not able to concentrate due to the noise and all... In my masjid, the first floor is only for women-no kids. The second floor is for women with children. This way I sit on the first floor where I get peace and quite and can listen clearly. You could try out a similiar arrangement... It doesn’t matter whether the partition is side by side or front and back, what matters is our attitude.

Unfortunately, not only muslim men, but men in general don’t give the same level of respect to their muslim sisters vs brothers.

On the other hand, being a woman, I’ve personally found very few ‘wise’ women. In the masjid I see them screaming for masala space and I really feel ashamed. One has to be frank that on a majority, it’s impossibly hard to control ‘such’ women.

I know for a man, looking at this avatar of women would make him feel that a woman has no or less ability than a man, but it takes courage to look beyond this steoreotyping. A few women may be bad, just like a few men but our attitude should always be positive.

The day we genuinely respect each other and value each others views, thoughts and abilities – The partitions won’t matter.

PS: A solution to mothers with children and single mulim sisters not able to concentrate due to the noise and all… In my masjid, the first floor is only for women-no kids. The second floor is for women with children. This way I sit on the first floor where I get peace and quite and can listen clearly. You could try out a similiar arrangement…

]]> By: Yasir Qadhi http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4528 Yasir Qadhi Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:57:50 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/07/24/women-and-the-wall/#comment-4528 Salaam Alaikum Sr. Ruth's post raised some very crucial issues, specifically: where does one draw the line between culture and religion? One of the most relevant fields where this needs to be discussed is the role of women and their interaction with men. In a society such as the one we find ourselves in, to expect women to act like their predecessors did many centuries ago in far away lands is simply unrealistic. At the same time, our modern sisters cannot ignore Islamic values and completely embrace non-Islamic ones. A healthy balance needs to be drawn - one that preserves the basics of our morality and ethics, and also takes into account the cultural milieu of our times. I believe the inquisitive yet polite persistence displayed by Sr. Ruth is exactly the type of mentality we need. Yasir Salaam Alaikum

Sr. Ruth’s post raised some very crucial issues, specifically: where does one draw the line between culture and religion? One of the most relevant fields where this needs to be discussed is the role of women and their interaction with men.

In a society such as the one we find ourselves in, to expect women to act like their predecessors did many centuries ago in far away lands is simply unrealistic. At the same time, our modern sisters cannot ignore Islamic values and completely embrace non-Islamic ones. A healthy balance needs to be drawn – one that preserves the basics of our morality and ethics, and also takes into account the cultural milieu of our times.

I believe the inquisitive yet polite persistence displayed by Sr. Ruth is exactly the type of mentality we need.

Yasir

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