First Muslim Woman to
Lead Mixed-Gender Prayer in NY
“On Friday, March 18,
2005, Dr. Amina Wadud, Professor of Islamic Studies at Virginia
Commonwealth University, will be the first woman to lead a
public, mixed-gender Friday prayer. She will also deliver
the Friday sermon,” says an email message received by
Pakistan Link. It adds:
“Dr. Wadud, the author of the groundbreaking book ‘Qur'an
and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective’,
is an esteemed scholar of Islam who affirms the right of Muslim
women to be prayer leaders. It is a generally held view in
the Muslim world and in the American Muslim community that
women cannot lead mixed-gender prayer.
“This custom is pervasive and goes unchallenged. Research
from the Qur'an and the customs of Prophet Muhammad demonstrate
that there is no prohibition precluding women from leading
mixed-gender prayer and, further, that Prophet Muhammad approved
the practice of women leading mixed-gender prayer. Over the
centuries, Muslim women have lost their place as intellectual
and spiritual leaders.
“On March 18, 2005 Muslim women will reclaim their right
to be spiritual equals and leaders. Women will move from the
space tradition has relegated them in the back of the mosque
and pray in the front rows. Our effort will be part of a broader
campaign to create communities in that rise to the highest
principles of Islam's teachings on tolerance, justice, equity,
and compassion. In the 7th century, the Prophet Muhammad built
a model community in the city of Medina, earning it a place
in history as ‘the City of Illumination’ because
of its progressive values.
“In the 21st century, we are committed to creating modern
day ‘Cities of Light’ in that value inclusion
and women's rights.
“Amina Wadud is an Islamic studies professor in the
department of philosophy and religious studies at Virginia
Commonwealth University. Sheis nationally and internationally
known for her ground-breaking book Qur'an and Women: Rereading
the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective, the first interpretive
reading of the Qur'an by a woman. Dr. Wadud seeks to validate
the female voice in the Qur'an and bring it out of the shadows.
Dr. Wadud will deliver the sermon and lead the prayer.”
When: Friday, March 18, 2005, 1-3pm
Where: Sundaram Tagore Gallery
137 Greene Street
New York, New York 10012
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