Amina Wadud Leads Islamic Prayers

March 18, 2005

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: RNS

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/162/story_16273_1.html

On March 18, 2005 Beliefnet/RNS reported, "female professor led an Islamic prayer service Friday with men in the congregation despite sharp criticism from Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East who complained that it violated centuries of tradition. Amina Wadud, a professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, led the service at Synod House at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, an Episcopal church in Manhattan. Some Islamic scholars have said they were aware of a few other mixed-gender prayer meetings led by women, mostly in the West, but they are rare... About 80 to 100 people attended the service, and the group appeared evenly divided between men and women. Most women wore the traditional Muslim headscarf and long, flowing robes."