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Video: First female-only mosque open in US | Video: First female-only mosque open in US |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The first all-female mosque in the US opened on Friday as more than 100 women from all over the country travelled to worship at the site in Los Angeles. | |
Housed in a multi-faith worship space, originally built as a synagogue, Pico-Union now homes the Women’s Mosque of America, as well as Jewish and Christian groups in California. | Housed in a multi-faith worship space, originally built as a synagogue, Pico-Union now homes the Women’s Mosque of America, as well as Jewish and Christian groups in California. |
Founder M. Hasna Maznavi decided change was needed after she became disillusioned when her place of worship began separating the women from the men during prayer. | Founder M. Hasna Maznavi decided change was needed after she became disillusioned when her place of worship began separating the women from the men during prayer. |
“I just wanted to have a safe space where women could come and get inspired and hear from the khatib,” she said. | “I just wanted to have a safe space where women could come and get inspired and hear from the khatib,” she said. |
A khatib is the individual who delivers the sermon, known as a khutbah. | A khatib is the individual who delivers the sermon, known as a khutbah. |
She explained it was an opportunity that women would not otherwise have. “The speakers are always a male imam and not only that but it is very hard to access the imam because of the way that mosques are structured architecturally.” | She explained it was an opportunity that women would not otherwise have. “The speakers are always a male imam and not only that but it is very hard to access the imam because of the way that mosques are structured architecturally.” |
Ms Maznavi added: “This mosque gives us a chance to connect with our leaders and also with one another in a way that we wouldn’t in another environment.” | Ms Maznavi added: “This mosque gives us a chance to connect with our leaders and also with one another in a way that we wouldn’t in another environment.” |
There are roughly 2,000 mosques across the United States, although this is believed to be the first intended solely for women. | There are roughly 2,000 mosques across the United States, although this is believed to be the first intended solely for women. |
Approximately two-thirds of these uses a divider to separate male and female worshippers during Morning Prayer, according to a 2011 study, and the number may be higher for Friday prayers. | Approximately two-thirds of these uses a divider to separate male and female worshippers during Morning Prayer, according to a 2011 study, and the number may be higher for Friday prayers. |
The Women’s Mosque plans to hold one Friday evening prayers a month, but may extend that if possible. | The Women’s Mosque plans to hold one Friday evening prayers a month, but may extend that if possible. |
One of the new worshippers was Samantha Haikal, from Las Vegas in Nevada. “Islam is a religion of diverse peoples,” she said. | One of the new worshippers was Samantha Haikal, from Las Vegas in Nevada. “Islam is a religion of diverse peoples,” she said. |
Ms Haikal continued: “To have something that can represent, even more specifically our women, and the strong sense of community that we have amongst the women of our community is very, very important.” | Ms Haikal continued: “To have something that can represent, even more specifically our women, and the strong sense of community that we have amongst the women of our community is very, very important.” |
Islam is the third largest faith in America, after Christianity and Judaism, representing 0.6 per cent of the population. | Islam is the third largest faith in America, after Christianity and Judaism, representing 0.6 per cent of the population. |
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