Fatwa Denounces Muslim Women Leading Prayers

May 31, 2006

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/192/story_19239_1.html

On May 31, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "Women trained as religious guides in a pioneer program are not authorized to lead prayers or to hold the post of imam, Morocco's official religious authority has ruled. The fatwa came weeks after Morocco's first 50 female 'morchidat,' religious guides, completed training by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which oversees Morocco's mosques. The ruling, announced Friday, will not affect the work of the morchidat, but does bar the women from extending their role to leading prayers or becoming imams. The mourchidat program is part of an effort by authorities in this North African country to promote a moderate Islam as it grapples with Muslim extremism. The fatwa cited Morocco's official and historical adherence to the Malaki rite, under which 'women are not authorized to lead prayer, as imams of the rite have taught throughout history.' The fatwa also noted that no precedent could be found in Moroccan history of women leading prayer. However, it added, 'The fact that women do not lead prayer diminishes neither their value nor their role.'"