Source: Sudan Tribune

http://www.sudantribune.com/article.php3?id_article=15021

On April 13, 2006 the Sudan Tribune reported, "In a lecture entitled "The Role of Women in Just Governance" which was delivered by the leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party, Hassen Al Turabi, at the headquarters of Umma — Party Mubarak al Fadil faction — in Khartoum, Turabi said a Muslim women can marry a Christian or Jew. Turabi described the teachings that a Muslim woman should not marry a Christian or Jew as misguided teachings intended to confuse and keep women behind. He explained that the practice has its origins in war times which were used against those fighting with Muslims, but which ceased once hostilities were over. He also said that Al Hujab (the Islamic veil) —women face and head cover— was meant for women to cover their breasts as one of good practices and was not intended to be generalised to wrap up all the woman body according to the Quranic verses given by Allah for this particular purpose...Regarding the right of women to lead in prayers at the front, Turabi said that women can lead at the front if they are more knowledgeable in Quaran and Hadeeth (Prophet sayings) than anyone in the congregation. He gave two examples: First, that Prophet Muhammed once gave permission to a women Muslim scholar to lead members of her family in regular prayers including men. Second, that one of the Prophet’s wives, Aaehisha was more versed in Quaraan than many men at the time and hence was often allowed to lead in prayers at the front."