The small section (see picture) represented by Muslim women dressed in traditional black abaya's (outer covering) is representative of the space currently alloted women for praying in the inner circle of the mosque at Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

"The proposed plan is no more acceptable today than it would have been when the teachings of Islam began to be delivered over 1400 years ago," .

The Grand Mosque is one of the few places in Saudi Arabia where, despite the strict interpretation of Islam imposed upon its society, male and female worshippers are allowed to intermingle

At present, women can pray in the immediate vicinity (sahn) of the Ka'ba, a cube-shaped structure inside the mosque.

It is within the most inner sanctum of the masjid that Muslims make tawaf, or a circular walk around the Ka'ba, completed in seven passages. Muslims perform tawaf at various times, i.e., in greeting the masjid upon arrival in Makkah, prior to performing Umrah and as a part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Just outside the open area where the tawaf is made, Muslims also gather to offer prayers (or duas) before or upon completion of the tawaf, or, for example, at any other time of day when the five daily prayers are offered.

Citing the limited size of the open area in the masjid's center, the all-male committee overseeing the holy site has proposed to place women in a distant section of the masjid, thereby preserving the key space exclusively for men.

Osama al-Bar, head of the Institute for Haj Research, is quoted as saying, "The area is very small and so crowded. So we decided to get women out of the sahn [Kaaba area] to a better place where they can see the Kaaba and have more space.

"Some women thought it wasn't good, but from our point of view it will be better for them ... We can sit with them and explain to them what the decision is."

The decision is not final, he said, and could be reversed.

"Get women out!? Reversal of this decision must be our mission until, by the grace of Almighty Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, it is achieved," .

Your voice counts, let it be heard today, insha'Allah! HERE'S HOW!

IN THE VERY LEAST SIGN THE PETITION:

http://www.petitiononline.com/gmea4w/petition.html