Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Ane Skov Birk, a student at Copenhagen University, Denmark, stayed with CIDT from 24 January 2007 “ 11 August 2007. She has done excellent work, much of which has been reflected in texts she has written in AWR. She presents an overview of her experiences working with CIDT, and the knowledge she has gained.

Muslim scholars have gone on a rampage directly after the news of Amīna Wadoud delivering the Friday sermon and leading male and female worshippers in prayer.

The issue of females leading Islamic prayers “female imām” triggered a number of reactions in the Muslim world. Dr. Yousuf al-Qaradāwī views it as American Islam. He says that Islam does not allow women to lead prayers, attend the prayers unveiled or menstruating, or even pray shoulder-to-shoulder with men.

Amīna Wadoud, a professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, led the Islamic prayer service before a mixed congregation of nearly 150 men and women at an Anglican church in New York City. Muslim scholars unanimously agreed that it is categorically forbidden for women to lead prayers, if male worshippers are present. They considered the act an intentional violation of the basics of Islam.

Last Friday, Amīna Dawoud, an associate professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, led about 150 men and women in prayers in New York City, amid growing opposition from several Islamic organizations.

The author reviews

three books on Islamic studies.

The author is focusing in her three-page article on the controversial Muslim woman Wafā’ Sultān, who is a harsh critic of Islam and resides in the United States after she left her original country Syria.

Jamāl al-Banna’s book Jawāz Imāmit al-Mar’a [the legality of women leading prayers] debates many issues, especially that of gender equality in Islam. He uses Dr. Amīna Wadoud leading men and women in prayers [in New York], as an example [for Muslim women].

The book Jawāz Imāmit al-Mar’a [the legality of women leading prayers], by Jamāl al-Banna, raises many questions for the reader.

When Dr. Amīna Wadoud designated herself as an Imām, leading the “American” Muslims who followed her, in a Friday prayer in New York, the Arabic and Islamic world flamed up with rage. The ulemas flared up and their appetites for issuing fatwas increased.