Women in the role of Imam

Dr. Amina Wadud's role as an Imam has triggered controversy all over the globe, especially in the Muslim society. That tiny event was full of hype to the western media. The gathering was not even in a mosque, rather a confined space in the vicinity of a Christian Church with tight security and a gathering of media journalists. The followers behind her were a few women and some one hundred men. Her logic to perform as Imam was that " the issue of gender equality is a very important one in Islam, and Muslims have unfortunately used highly restrictive interpretations of history to move backward, with this prayer service we are moving forward. This single act is symbolic of the possibilities within Islam". From her statement it seems to me that she was talking about Muslim women's rights in Quran and Hadith which have been misinterpreted and manipulated throughout the history of Islam, especially by the male members of society. That is why Muslim women have to be united to regain their lost glory and make their voices heard. This campaigner is known as an 'Islamist feminist' in the contemporary Muslim world. In the countries like Iran and Algeria Islamist feminists are raising their voices about the common Islamic rights of women such as performing prayers five times a day inside a mosque like men. They have clear-cut logic behind this claim, gathering in the mosque is needed not only for performing prayer but for exchanging views to achieve their common social interests which is not possible for any individual woman by remaining confined inside the four walls.

However, certain things are clearly mentioned in the religion and there is perhaps no way to deviate from them. That is why Dr. Wadud sounded more confusing than convincing.