Woman leads Muslim prayer service

[green lantern]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/18/muslim.prayer.ap/index.html



NEW YORK (AP) -- A female professor led an Islamic prayer service Friday with men in the congregation despite sharp criticism from Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East who complained that it violated centuries of tradition.




thoughts on this ??

[Dangerrmouse]

She does have a book coming out, so rattling conservatives' cages would seem a simple way to gain some inexpensive publicity.

[bowerbird]

Societies change even the most conservative and there are those within muslim society who will push for this change. I think this is a good thing.

[historyteach]

I, too, think it is a good thing. And about time.
However, I wouldn't doubt if there was a death sentence out on her now...
Shalom!

[Michele]

yes I do too. I think all the monotheisms should follow this example in a big way. Perhaps we can look to her, as she takes this journey, to impose this advancement on Judeo-christianity (and the roman catholic church). It is about time.

Cent'Ani! (although I would hope it won't take that long)

[el nopal]

Wait a minute! Muslim women have been put in situations of change since imposition of Western Ideology, and before!

From questioning of their status, role, and place in society as it changes. Muslim women have changed immeasurably over time.

This is just another change to substantiate the role of women in Muslim Society, instead of isolating them into an alienated position which might cause deviant behavior. Maybe she could have done this in an indirect way, and it wouldn't have upset so many egomaniacs.

[Michele]

why is it women have to be indirect... I tend to be direct I always get in a lot of trouble because of it.

and i do believe women have changed immeasurably over time as in general it is my sense that men have become indifferent to it. something is off because of it perhaps it always was off... it being just the fifties that gave the appearance of genders being more in sync with each other... perhaps its just me.

[el nopal]

why is it women have to be indirect... I tend to be direct I always get in a lot of trouble because of it.

and i do believe women have changed immeasurably over time as in general it is my sense that men have become indifferent to it. something is off because of it perhaps it always was off... it being just the fifties that gave the appearance of genders being more in sync with each other... perhaps its just me.


Women have to be indirect, just like all individuals who lack power.

Indirectly approaching something allows the glory and (thunder) to remain the egomaniacs. Therefore, to not spoil things, and to refrain from taking the spotlight, those with less power have to go about things the indirect way, and throw back the agresssion like a hot potato. (Without the ****ing "e" at the end.)

[CanadianBacon]

Without being indirect, women get stoned to death in some ME countries.

[jamesrage]

However, I wouldn't doubt if there was a death sentence out on her now...
Shalom!.

I totally agree with you on this.

[el nopal]

Without being indirect, women get stoned to death in some ME countries.

true..

[ultimate capita]

I don’t understand when some of you say it’s a good thing? How is it a good thing there are separate prayers for women and men it’s a simple as that this woman obviously has an agenda the people that she is attempting to lead are obliviously led astray. The Quran clearly says men woman pray separately for obvious reasons that I don’t think I need to get into unless people want me to.

[el nopal]

Well you have an agenda too, no?

Especially with such "BIG" letters. What are you, the freaking wolf in Little Red Riding Hood? My, what big words you have.

[Michele]

Women have to be indirect, just like all individuals who lack power.

Indirectly approaching something allows the glory and (thunder) to remain the egomaniacs. Therefore, to not spoil things, and to refrain from taking the spotlight, those with less power have to go about things the indirect way, and throw back the agresssion like a hot potato. (Without the ****ing "e" at the end.)


yes I know there is a formula for this... and perhaps it has merit but man do you have to mince soooooooo many words which takes time... and look at all the grown women who have decided to utilize this formula still using their twelve year old voices...almost through their entire lives...

I don't know. I am speaking in general, but I sometimes think that some of the restrains placed on us are placed on us to restrict our voice or thoughts even and if we bend to the restrains to get round the retrictions what we risk doing is reinforcing the restraints.

[Michele]

I don’t understand when some of you say it’s a good thing? How is it a good thing there are separate prayers for women and men it’s a simple as that this woman obviously has an agenda the people that she is attempting to lead are obliviously led astray. The Quran clearly says men woman pray separately for obvious reasons that I don’t think I need to get into unless people want me to.


If you don't mind I have two questions and perhaps I should say I am a secular person. while I am interested in what you have to say about the qu'ran as it pertains to this issue and please feel free to tell me, for a moment beside the strict traditional interpretations themselves: if she is leading prayers correctly what is the harm? Nothing lude can occur during worship prayer is not seduction it is prayer all know why they are there... to pray. if one closes their eyes in peace with god and themselves. what is the harm? that is one question.

the other question is considering as a muslim she knows the teachings in your opinion why do you think she decided to lead the prayer outside of the traditional interpretations?

[el nopal]

yes I know there is a formula for this... and perhaps it has merit but man do you have to mince soooooooo many words which takes time... and look at all the grown women who have decided to utilize this formula still using their twelve year old voices...almost through their entire lives...

I don't know. I am speaking in general, but I sometimes think that some of the restrains placed on us are placed on us to restrict our voice or thoughts even and if we bend to the restrains to get round the retrictions what we risk doing is reinforcing the restraints.

As the ubiquitous Mr. Herman once quipped in his first appearance on the big screen: "Everyone has a but."

[Michele]

lol... and thank god for that!