Woman Leads Friday Prayers!

New York: Dr Amina Wadud, a noted Muslim scholar, became probably the first woman in mainstream Islam to give a "khutba" and lead mixed-gender Friday prayers on March 18, 2005.
The event passed off peacefully despite the controversy the move generated in the Muslim community across the country. About 100 men and women participated in the prayers held in an old church building in New York City. Some 15 odd people protested outside, insisting that women cannot lead mixed-gender prayer.
Dr. Wadud, an African American and a long time convert to Islam, is a Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Author of the book "Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective", she affirms the right of Muslim women to be prayer leaders.
Dr. Wadud's associates have been arguing that there is no express prohibition in the Holy Qur’an or Sunnah which bars women from leading prayers. They also cite a Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) gave permission to Umme Warqa to lead a mixed congregation in prayers at her home.

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