Comments on: Friday Links — October 31, 2008

By: Aynur

Aynur — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:23:58 +0000

You know, if men don’t even want women to pray BEHIND THEM, in the same room, then I really don’t think that they would want one to be leading the prayer. *sigh*

By: Sobia

Sobia — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:30:05 +0000

@Philip:

But then who decides what’s a legitimate issue/interpretation?

If there is one thing we can see from this issue and its discussion it’s that so much is subjective.

And the criteria you have for Wadud (why aren’t you referring to her by her last name – first name use implies a level of disrespect) I am curious if you have the same for male scholars.

It seems that the sexism in our community, in general, is so strong that women are held to a standard that men are never asked to meet. This appears to be a way to silence women and “keep them in their place.” The second a woman questions the status quo she is said to “have an agenda” – as if the male scholars never did.

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:12:17 +0000

It’s true. We wrote a press release at WLUML and SKSW Campaign (www.stop-stoning.org) about the Somali case, and then only found out later that she was 13, and most likely raped. Tragic.

By: beka

beka — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:35:56 +0000

With regard to the news article on the stoning of the Somalian woman, an article I saw today says while she was originally reported as being 23 years old, her father has brought to the attention of Amnesty International the fact that she was only 13. If that article was correct, then I find it all the more tragic than such an act could have been committed against a child. =/

By: Philip

Philip — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:57:37 +0000

@AG
Because there can only be “difference of opinion” on legitimate issues/interpretations. IF aminah had studied with all the great current day scholars from Mauritania all the way to Indonesia, i would guess that a lot more people would be willing to “live and let live”.

By: coolred38

coolred38 — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:06:25 +0000

The article about the newly married wife that was mauled to death by dogs and than killed because of suspicion of cheating…all I can say to that is…I hope somebody is paying attention to the truly fu***d up world it has become….cause the end of the world has got to be coming soon when people have regressed and turned back into animals.

Stories like that that make you wonder why vigilantes arent given the heroes welcome they deserve…sigh. and yes…its not very Muslim like…but there it is.

By: Safiya Outlines

Safiya Outlines — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:32:11 +0000

Salaam Alaikum,

Just to clarify, My comment was not intended to condone any type of “tabloid” activity, which I think is damaging and demeans us as a community.

However, I do think reasoned dialogue is incredibly beneficial and informative for the community as a whole. Disagreements can occur without causing rancour. A recent example was the disagreement between ISNA and several leading U.S scholars (notably Sh Hamza Yusuf) regarding Ramadan moon sighting. This may not seem a juicy topic but it concerns similar issues of the validity and permissibility of certain obligatory acts. Despite this disagreement, both parties are still able to work together.

Sahar’s comment raises the issue of scholarly credibility, which is a key one. For many people outside Saudi the mere words “Saudi cleric” is a major avoidance factor in itself, hence I think people have long stopped paying attention to them.

By: AG

AG — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:09:26 +0000

** “line”, not “like” in the first sentence. Sorry about that.

By: AG

AG — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:08:24 +0000

You know, I think the bottom like with female led prayer is choice. In Judaism, there are reform/conservative synagogues with female rabbis, but there are also Orthodox ones that do not permit them. In Christianity, the Catholic/Orthodox churches don’t have female priests, but most mainline protestant churches (Episcopalians, Lutherans, etc.) have female priests/ministers. At least if you’re in a country with a fair amount of diversity, such as the USA, it’s not hard to find a female minister or rabbi with equal standing to a man in the same institution. Not so with Islam. It just seems sad that there is so little space in Islam for those who do wish to be in integrated mosques with female led prayer. Even if you oppose female led prayer, why not let those who disagree with you find their own space to practice the way they want to? What’s the fuss?

By: coolred38

coolred38 — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:29:12 +0000

Safiya

Actually my comments were made really based on the comments that people left after that particular article…most seemed to think the period was THE basis for disallowing wome to lead prayers. I was commenting more on my opinion that those commenting were ignoring the articles points (whether they believed them or not) and were just breaking it down to …has period…doesnt have period.

Pesonally I dont care who leads the prayer as long as they meet the criteria laid out by Prophet Mohammed….must be knowledgable about the Quran with much piety and respect thrown in by the followers…never heard where he said that person had to be male.

Short story…a few years back my son was chosen to lead the Ramadan night prayers…he was soooo excited and nervous and practiced all day. I was happy for him and nervous as well but quietly I was thinking WTF! because he was 14 at the time…those he was going to lead were mostly well into their 40’s 50’s and 60’s…who decided a 14 year old boy was fit to lead prayers? Turns out the basic reason was because he had memorized the Quran (he is a good boy as well of course)…that was basically the only criteria they were looking for. I dare say if there had been a more experienced and pious sister around…she would have fit the bill just as well then right?