I think all the mosques should be given a chance to accomadate women, talk to the leadership and try to negotiate with them if they are stubborn ignorant and rude then all you have to do is threaten to report them to the local media for being anti-women and for discriminating based on gender.

I guarantee you that if you threaten to expose their names to the local media for discrimination they would all cave in. Non of them would want their names in the papers due to the many fruads they are probably involved in!

give them a chance? lets say how about a thinking and dialouge period of about 3 years? hmmm

i mean its been so long another 3 years of exclusion wont hurt

Salam

Sorry, but this is the ONLY issue on which I disagree with MPAC. I think your hearts are in the right place but I do not like where your heading with this.

I think clarification is required- when MPAC demands the doors of masajids to be opened for women- what exactly do you mean??

do you want us to have to go to the masajid to pray? In which case I totally disagree- a woman does NOT have to go to a mosque to fulfill her obligation to pray 5x a day.

However, if you want women to have more services from the mosque, more tailored teaching for them, female ulemaa to consult when they have problems, mother & baby sessions, more community- building and social acitivities, then I COMPLETELY agree.

I respect MPAC for bringing this issue up. However, I'm not sure exactly what your standing for on this issue.

Salam

Its typical of Mpac to go looking for another line of attack on the muslim leaders, this is the only issue they have left, they don’t genuinely care about the success of the ummah otherwise they wont go smiting their fellow muslims in public and to the non-Muslims and on national TV there are plenty of mosques which accommodate women concentrate on the real problems people…like the new found Islamaphobic attack on the Veil

Peace

MPACK you say you want women to be more involved in mosques giving them places of worship within them as provided in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

I would ask, have you not overlooked the fact sayyisuna Umar (may allah be pleased with him)is the one who stopped women from attending salaah in the mosque, furthermore there are numerous ahadith wich state it is better for women to pray at home that in the mosque.

As for women playing a more active role in the mosque i would agree in theory but i dont see how it is practical without us sacraficing some islamic principles such as segregation of the sexes and the women would have to be with mahrem in the decision making meetings therefore i dont really see it being practical ( or am i missing something?) though i havnt seen the documentry i cant think of any good that will come from it other than Muslims being labelled as sexist.

I really do hope you dont have an imam saying something sexist or anything wich would lead to islaam brought in to disrepute yet again.

Peace

In principle I agree that women should have access to mosques. However, these things take time. Purpose built mosques are relatively new phenomenon in UK and they are costly to build.

Remember even now mosques have limited spaces and budgets. There are times even now (in some mosques) where men cannot get into the mosque for Fridays for lack of space.

The last thing we need is for MPAC to use the non muslim press to air our "dirty laundry" in public. What is their agenda? are they trying to create division? Islam abhors this method of dispute resolution.

Sisters/MPAC should be more careful about how they go about attempting to redress the situation. Muslim unity must not be compromised by such disparate actions.

Finally, it is a well known fact that women praying at home do not loose out in devotional terms.

Assalamu alaykum.I write after watching the Channel 4 News interview with a MPAC sister. As a woman, I completely agree with you, that it is unacceptable that all mosques are not accessible to women. However, MPAC have done more damage than good. NonMuslims have now got more mythical nonsense to add to their delusion that Islam is sexist. I understand that you were saying it is certain cultural communities (Asian) that wrongly forbid women but this is not how it will be interpreted. Do you think NonMuslims will logically do some research to find that at the time of the Prophet (saw) women were allowed and in most Muslim countries today there is always space for them? No. The ummah needs to unite not divide. Shouting and speaking harshly is not going to get you anywhere, because it is against the sunnah. I await the Dispatches programme in dread.Perhaps you should all read Brother Asim Qureshi's article: 'Brother, Where art thou?' If he had gone for a harsh, rude approach, nothing would have been achieved.

I dont think going to the media is the right way of resolving these issues. Especially in this day and age where the media needs any excuse to show Islam as a backward/intollerant religion (people mixing up traditional values with Islamic ones).
One thing we do need in this day and age is patience. As more of the younger generation begins to understand Islam more then I think there will be an automatic shift in attitudes.

Since we are in the habit of quoting the Prophet (pbuh), he also said don't air your dirty laundry in front of non-Muslims. Let's hope this programme doesn't turn out to be like that.

The prophet (pbuh) also said that the best place to women to pray was their homes.

For Jumma at my local mosque there's no space for men - we spill out on the dirty side paths. Now if there had been space for women, some of the men would have to go without. And the Jumma prayer is fard for men.

I think women should have more access to mosques and a lot of women are discriminated. There are situations when the mosque isn't full, or when a women is travelling and has to make her prayer, I can't see why she shouldn't have access to a mosque.

Let me reiterate, I think if there's space I can't see why a women shouldn't be allowed in the mosque.

But sometimes i think the old men who run the mosques don't know how to make provisions...or worse still cannot be bothered? Can we blame them? Yes and No.

They are the ones giving up their time to volunteer; they are the ones who started the mosque from scratch. If we wish to have more input in the mosques, we should get more involved.

Admittedly there will be many in the mosques that see it as a power source and may not want other’s to have a more active role. But I think people often have delusions of grandeur and expect to be amongst the management from the off. I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that and people need to realise that they will have to start from the bottom. And yes and that may include cleaning, tidying, scrubbing the floor, cleaning the dirty towels – the old men do it!

During Ramadan I went to pray at small mosque near my workplace, I saw a convert brother trying to enter but it was closed. He complained about how it really shouldn't be closed during Ramadan. He'd been there before and thought they were rude people.

I pointed out to him that it was a rough area - and perhaps there weren’t enough old men to keep it open…..after all it’s their time they have got to give up! As for their uncouthness, maybe that's down to the fact that they do not know English. He accepted those scenarios and both of us went in search of another mosque.

Often people, who have no dealings with the mosque on an ongoing basis, expect others to make provisions.

If we want any say with the mosques we need to take a more active role in the day-to-day running – and yes that may include doing menial dirty jobs. If we can't even extend some time to do that, then we have no right to criticise how a mosque is run.

This issue is not as black and white as i fear this programme will make it out to be. we know the media are currently only too happy to beat muslims with any stick, let's just hope mpacuk hasn't been used to further that agenda.

Salaam

Although I agree with what you are doing in principal, I think this is being blown out of proportion. I am very interested to know where in the Koran or Sunnah does it state that women should run mosques! I think every woman should have the right to pray at a mosque (as does my Mum and Sis), however, if a mosque can not accommodate, then it should not be persecuted. As for the sunnah, lets not forget the prophet (SAW) said don’t turn your homes into graveyards.

I think MPAUK are beginning to reveal their true colours.Having watched the article on Channel 4, I am appalled at the lack of adaab displayed. It is disgusting. In a time when muslims need to show unity, here we are displaying to the the world how disunited we are. You could just imagine the the glee and laughter which the enemies of islam must be drowning in. You could actually see it on the face of the presenter at the end. This is the same MPAUK which only a few days ago was accusing certain other groups of being agents.
Any organisations/groups/individuals which appear in the media and display a disregard for islamic adaab (good manners and character) and which totally disregard the sunnah of ofour noble Prophet (saw), these people should be taken with a big pinch of salt. Let's face the truth, all these groups rely on a few rallying cries to rope people in, however, they have their own agendas. They lack sincerity. The true message of islam is being preached out their and this will never (or very rarely make it into the media.

I think the idea and principle behind this debate is well founded and productive. I support fully that ALL mosques should have space for Sisters. However, after watching the disgraceful behaviour of an MPAC member on channel 4 news today I was very disappointed. The journalist was delighted to have two Muslim women arguing amongst themselves. It is clear that the media is giving MPAC the platform to air this debate into the general public, not because it cares about the cause, but because to them it will just highlight another way that the Muslim community is ununited, disfunctional, and anti-women. At a time when the public image of Muslims is at its lowest, our mosques are being painted as exclusionary and intolerant, it just adds fuel to the fire.

Speak to the mosque leadership, and if they are not willing toaccomadate women, report them to the media, for discriminating based on gender.That will change a few mind's.

woman should be allowed providing woman do not mix with men, 2 years ago i went to a mosque on 27th night of ramadan in hounslow. after say 4am, all the night prayer, a young lady tried to talk to me but thank to allah i walked away. see how easy to make sins, may allah save us all so lets not all jump into it, proper plan must be made

i think its haram for women to pray behind men who are not blood relatives.

-i know women can't prey side by side with man-

know your religion before you guys try to change certain situations, otherwise you might get questioned on judgement day for distorting the religion

I hope the programme gets to the heart of the matter...the reliance on a fiqh and culture suited only for the Indian subcontinent....

Salam

Firstly id like to point out that im totally FOR women to be able to worship in the mosque, however I think the way in which MPAC approached the issue was totally wrong.

firstly knowing that the mosques that they approached are run by older generation people whom have believes that are stemmed from culture they still went to the doors of the mosques on a Friday (when there are more people attending then usual) with a camera knowing it was going to stir up an argument, couldn’t an appointment with the mosque leader be made, why didn’t the ladies just walk away from the situation instead of escalating it and why not aim at another mosque where people may be more approachable.

Also i think by televising the incident makes Muslims look worse in the public eye, I cant help but feel MPAC pin pointed certain mosques knowing they would respond in a certain way

The final point id like to make is that im from Blackburn and my local mosque has a separate section within the mosque that allows women to pray, quite close to where i live a new mosque is being built with an area that has been designed for women to pray, but i wonder if when watching the documentary if this is highlighted.

I look forward to watching the documentary which I know in Blackburn is going to stir up some emotions especially when Blackburn in the last years or so has been in the spot light in a negative way.

Assalamualykum,

Why attack our Masjids? Yes I agree that our Masjids need to accommodate for our sisters, mothers & daughters, but we have to appreciate that many of the mosques were made out of necessity and not purposely. Definitely the purpose built Masjid needs to accommodate, but this should be an issues for our community to deal with, and not make this another stone for our critics to throw at us with. What dose this campaign achieve? Do we think that by hanging out our dirty laundry in public, will make the non-Muslims come running to our rescue?

Absolutely, it is women's right to have access to mosques - its our divine right, but, there are some mosques, which are, culturally motivated, therefore, how we dialogue with them for this access, is extremely important. I have constantly voiced my voice in favour women in mosques, but only through dialogue with committee members. We must remember that mosques have been built by the 1st and 2nd generations, in majority of cases, from the Sub-continent, and with this came many cultural values - where women did not go to the mosques (which sometimes is a blessing, as we women can pray anywhere). I hope the MPAC will find ways to have dialogue with members of mosques committees.

Sad that MPAC is approaching the whole issue relating to the welfare of Muslims in such a dangerous manner. What a time to do it! Just when we need some peace and quiet.
It makes me wonder, whether they understand about Sincerity as taught by our great predesessors and rightly guided scholars. Sincerity has its conditions and requirements, without which, a course of action leads to disastrous results, and causes Fitna in the Ummah. Whoever causes Fitna in the Ummah, from the Muslims, they will be the misguided ones, and we can only see this from our actions. It is no use, pointing fingers, speaking ill of others, and back stabbing, as these sorts of vices are said to be worse than consuming alcohol, adultery..., and the major vices we commonly know of. The worse aspect is that the person spreading Fitna, is under the assumption that what he or she is doing is good(of hasana in Akhirah), this is the biggest deception by Shaytaan, one will see this at the time of death, when their ignorance opens up to them. Allah has the power to take away Imaan at that time, the ultimate disgrace. May Allah save us all. Ameen.

I have been wanting to support MPAC for a long time now but every time i think about funding them they always come up with attacks on muslim bodies and organisation using their best freinds the zionist and islamaphobe media.

A couple of weeks ago it was tablghi jammat and now its the masajids. Trying to break a nut with the zionist and islamaphobic hammer. MPAC are losing their way and need to concentrate on the real issues and find islamic ways of getting women into the masajids. sabr and reason not the BBC or CH4.

I think it is deplorable that Muslims are fighting on national tv, to the delight of the enemies of Islam. If these so-called intelligent and educated Muslim women who are doing the protesting think this is going to help Muslims in the Uk (particularly Muslim women) then they need their heads read. I think MPAC needs to wake up and realise the effects their scheming is having upon the Muslim community in Britain.

Unfortunately for MPAC, and this is a big bug bear for me, is that it allows itself to be used, to be a pawn in a bigger game where MPAC and the rest of the Muslim community do not have the same access to the powerful or the Media.

I just wish MPAC would sometimes rein in the hot heads who think they are moving issues forward, they simply are not. They are doing the groundwork for those that are anti Islam and anti Muslim, from both inside government and the news media.

Think before you Act. Being confrontational or shouting the loudest does not mean that you are necessarily in the right.

I support a woman's choice to go to a masjid, but MPAC are damaging Muslims further with this kind of staged show. It's not the first time I've seen this kind of behaviour, and it's beginning to look systematic.

Some others have raised the same point. I think it's a shame that MPAC took part in this documentary. Maybe I'm wrong and it's all to do with scheduling and timing over which you have no control, but it seems that you're more concerned with making a name for yourselves than improving things for Muslims with this kind of stunt.

From my experience of these kind of documentaries, I know that staged events are set up in order to provoke confrontation and provide more interesting TV. This will be just another staged attack on Muslims at a time when we need to unite against rampant Islamophobia.

Maybe I'm wrong about the whole thing. I would like MPAC's response.

man i never knew there was so many bigots on the mpac website!

if all these so called "i agree with mpac but..." types listen to themselves they would realise what a bunch of hypocrites they sound like.

If they really agreed with women in the bloody mosques - why let mpac do all the hard work, while these fools come on this website and moan about it - do it your bloody selves!

instead they sit in their cosy houses like they do about everything and act all outraged at mpac

word of advice - shut up you bigots and let mpac get on with its great work

mpac - im with you!

Salaams
This kind of issue was bound to come up at some point in time and our community should have thought about it earlier .I live in Glasgow and not all that long ago our local mosque expanded .They spent a huge amout of money on expansion and built a ginormous car park .In all theis space there isn't a single space for a woman .Is it any surprise that it is a Tablighi jamaat centre .This is not due to a lack of space or money ,its a point of philosophy . Incidentally the area Pollokshields has its own inner city issues with young gangs etc. The management were really not interested in facilities for women.I think this debate was going to happen at some point and unfortunately when you make an omelette you have to break some eggs occasionally .These committees have no right to start crying at a bit of jostling when they have deliberately stuck their heads in the sand for years .

Some pretty stupid arguments here.

@sd aka tinkerbell

Surely the first step is to let women in to pray! Female ulema etc is something for later. If Mosque leaders will not allow muslim women in to pray, then what hope of providing more. please be realistic.

@faird

you wanted to support them for a long time? and then call them friends of zionists? heh, somehow i think you can keep your support where it belongs, in the trash along with the rest of your nonsense.

@Bilal Patel,

How do you know this was staged? Please substantiate your claim? You are the same as the Mosque leaders that this documentary exposes. FACE IT, this kind of crap is going on, and Muslim women are facing it. DEAL WITH IT, don't deny it.

i'm male and from a brit pakistani background and used to enjoy MPAC's ranting because ithought they would stir it up. but the more i looked at my own community in Bristol the more i realised they (mpac) were right. so why don't you 'I like mpac but'...clowns go join a happy clappy group where you feel good but don't work to make a change. and leave the real work to mpac and its supporterstbr />you people dont like mpac nor do you believe in womens rights, all you are are spineless apologists for the backward dall munching committees!he question for me isnt why has mpac taken on this cause it is why havent you?

As far as I am aware, only two or possibly three mosques in my town (out of around a dozen) do not accomodate women. Most have an upstairs and a downstairs, which allows 50%-50% on Fridays. But I think all Mosques should provide full access and proper representation for women. Looking forward to watching this programme, insha Allah.

Wasalaam

TMA

Many thank to MPAC for again making Muslims look strange to our non-Muslim citizens. There is a way to solve problems, and a way to speak to those in power. This is not it.

The very title "women only jihad" is misleading as there are many men seeking to find ways of accomodating sisters in the running of mosques, despite constraints on time, money, resource and space.

Please do not do something like this again.

the more i read and hear about mpac i feel they are a group set up by the security services,to cause miscief amongst the muslim ummah in uk.am i paranoid???

Salaam, everybody.

Am looking forward to watching the program, too early to judge it yet (I've only seen brief trailers).

I've been slowly developing a better understanding of Islam as I grow up, and I think it's important to ensure that our sisters have all their needs and requirements fulfilled. Growing up in a Pakistani family, it was all too often the case that (certainly in the older generation), the female members of the family were not encouraged to educate themselves, go to the mosque, etc, etc.

I actually think there's a wider issue at stake - our mosques should be open to all sections of community, muslim and non-muslim alike - I don't literally mean that anybody should be able to wander in, but mosques should be able to effectively promote the message of Islam, provide community functions (childcare, welfare advice, etc) and generate dialogue with other communities.

There seem to be a lot of people who are more worried about showing Muslim disunity to non-Muslims than they are about the issue at hand.
As a non-Muslim, my opinion on the issues concerned is of little or no value, but I do feel heartily reassured to hear that Muslims are openly debating aspects of the running of their mosques; it happens, after all, in other religions. Within a democratic setting, debate is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of great strength. To close ranks and profess unity where little truly exists would be to store up trouble. Open and honest discussion can only be good for Islam - and for its image among non-Muslims. For what it's worth, I'd say embrace it.

There are two sides to this issue. One being that some mosques don't permit women access or involvement in mosque matters, and the other that when women are called to volunteer, they don't come forward.

In the part of London I live, several mosques have been built by husband and wife teams (backed by local muslim community) in the recent years.

In each case muslim sisters have been asked again and again to be invoved, but only the first generation sisters seem to want to do something. Their old age limits what they can do, unfortunately.

Many of the younger generation sisters in our community seem reluctant to step forward and volunteer. They're more focused on their education / career / family commitments.

Faisal,

You ask me how I know this documentary was staged.

Firstly, I did not say that I know for sure it was staged. I invited MPAC's response if I am wrong. There has been no response so far. I would like MPAC to clarify how the documentary was made.

Secondly, I suspect that this is the case because I have been involved with a couple of TV documentaries myself, so I speak from experience. I would be very surprised if MPAC was to tell me otherwise. This is the media and they are out not only to report stories, but contrive to make stories.

I'm not going to donate any money to an organisation that jumps on the media bandwagon to trash Muslims in order to further it's own agenda, and would encourage others to donate elsewhere.

i have to agree with pro-mpac, shah and yakoub the other comments are so lame we agree with womens rights but mpac are doing this wrong way! at least they are doing something what have you lot ever done, none of you have even seen the doc and already mpac are denounced as having 'staged' it! im so ashamed of muslims who make excuses for sexism in the community well done mpac keep up good work!

Shah,

There are many ways to get what you want, not all of them are correct however.

No one is claiming that women have no rights however to play victim in front of an hostile media in an hostile political climate that reinforces stereotypes, id suggest is not the wisest of ways to achieve ones goals.

Our Masdjid in Worthing does allow women in - even for Friday. However there isn't enough space - about 30 ladies tops. I am VERY worried that MPAC, who I support mostly, is washing our dirty linin on public TV. This is very dangerous. It reinforces the prejudice that already exists. It might be true that we have bad brothers and sisters, who have little knowledge of our deen, but we don't need to publicise this. As for the sister who thinks its HARAM to prey behind a non relative - you see my point. This sister is making something Haram when it isn't - which is in itself Haram. Sisters need access to the Masdjid. They DON'T need to go on Friday Jummah, but guess what, there is Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday plus the 4 other prayer times on Friday. I guarantee there is space available for ladies on every prayer time except Friday Jummah. As for Eid, women and children MUST come to the Masdjid and we made extra space for them. Yes challenge the old men, yes stop the committee members selling alchohol etc, but lets do this in private, not on Channel 4.

The last few comments have been very mpac-esque. Please brothers and sisters, the reason we are here is for Islam and if we wish to debate an issue lets do it with a bit more Islamic adab! Throwing comments like 'bigoted', 'stupid' and calling people 'apologists' does not further the argument, since people will be oblivious to those that are supposedly speaking for Islam, but don't even seem to have knowledge of basic Islamic etiquettes.

Furthermore back you answer not with insults, supposition, conjecture or personal opinions but by looking at the Quran and the Sunnah.

I like many other readers agree to letting sisters pray in mosques under strict segregation and obviously being able to accomodate them, but bringing it into the media this way is just 'adding fuel to the fire'.

I think muslims need to address the fact that the majority of women and men in our communities do not even pray salaat in the first place.
Lets get everyone praying their obligatory salaats before we address this issue as we will be questioned about it firstly and foremostly by Allah swt and then worry about womens rights InshaAllah!!!

Salaam MPACUK, what are you folks upto now?

Please dont mess it up like a bunch of angry southwest asians. show a little grace inshAllah!

I hope ladies are given the room that is their right, and i hope everyone makes the most of their rights to nurture an enlightened and funky community.

About the 'dirty laundry in public ' issue:
I don' think its a big secret that muslim men have historically had more mosque based organisational potential than muslim women, and that south asian hanafi practice has not been as big on ladies praying together in the mosque as... the turks.

It is not a suprise that this matter would get stuck between stubborn established micropowers that run these prayer arenas and insit of very slow processes of progress. They are not used to female assertion in these matters. They are old nad perhaps theologically knotted by TJness. bless.

Faisal.
i think you are being ignorant to the effect of what MPAC are doing. You dont seem to understand the effect of division and headline nonsense that MPAC sometimes are engaging in.

Getting your face on TV seems to be the order of the day in MPAC and shouting everyone down who has a different view. ive seen asghar bukhari on islam channel and it was not a pretty sight.

i agree with alot of what MPAC do but there are some serious problems with their targetting. Tablighi jamaat for instance. congratulation to asghar for getting himself on TV but was it necessary.

anyway faisal, calm down and chill out. i made a thought out comment and you have responded with trash and you wonder why MPAC have funding difficulties. Thats what MPAC have been engaging in. If it works all good to MPAC but i feel that they will leave alot of muslim damaged by the road side.

salaams bro:

MPAC HAD AN AXE TO GRIND WITH THE BLACKBURN ULEMA.

THEY'VE USED THE MOSQUES ISSUE TO SCREW THEM BIG TIME.

MAYBE THE MANAGMENT OF MPAC SHOULD SPEND A LITTLE LESS TIME TRYING TO SCORE BROWNIE POINTS AND A LITTLE MORE TIME AT RECONCILIATION.

VERSES FROM THE QURAN SPRINGS TO MIND: "THE SAY WITH THEIR MOUTHS WHAT IS NOT IN THEIR HEARTS."

"iNDEED ALLAH WILL JUDGE BETWEEN THEM ON JUDGEMENT, WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUES ON WHICH THEY DIFFERED."

MAYBE MPAC SHOULD DWELL ON "INDEED, THE BELIEVERS ARE BROTHERS, SO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN YOUR BROTHERS" (49:10) AND "O BELIEVERS! ONE SET OF BELIEVERS SHOULD NOT DERIDE THE OTHER SET. MAYBE THE OTHER SET IS BETTER THAN THE FIRST. (49:11).

I don’t want to prejudge before watching the program, however the advertisement for the program makes for some uneasy viewing. I strongly believe more should be more done to facilitate for women who wish to attend the mosque. However it’s also fair to say that things have been progressing over the years especially in East London.

I respect MPAC for bringing up key issues, however a TV documentary in this case is my going to cause more harm than good.


If MPAC believed that a TV documentary was really required then it may have been better to contact broadcasters such as Islam Channel and Itihad TV. The target audience is predominantly Muslim who of course have a better understanding of the issue .Remember this issue affects us British Muslims and not the wider British community; surely it would have been more effective to tackle the issue within our own community. By hiding someone’s bad deeds Allah will hides yours on the day of judgement (Hide but confront!). Judging by the advertisement I think the program is there to expose and shame, but who is the audience? And who benefits?

Was there really a need to broadcast to the world that we have an issue? We all know how the main stream media will portray it. We have a problem but let’s deal within and in accordance to our Islamic tradition

Our Prophet (SAW) teaches us to be patient and speak with hikma when advising fellow Muslims and of course non Muslims. By making a TV program although I’m sure with good intent, is a hasty decision. One must work within the boundaries Islamic ethics and manners, in my opinion MPAC may have exceeded these boundaries a little this time.

I sincerely hope my assumptions are proved wrong.

Wasalaam

...divide and conquer right....divide and conquer ...what does mpac wanna achieve out of this...embarassing the muslims? it is not fard on women to pray in masajid....it is infact better for us to pray at home. my local mosque is a semi-detached house for petes sake! i mean theyre alhamdulillah tryin to build a £6 million mosque now but before if they turned away women at jumah...coz of lack of space....wots the big deal...its fard on men to go for their salaat why are the so-called 'muslimah-feminists' comin out and speakin against the mosques...

deal with it within the ummah...not go out and publicise it amongst islamaphobes and xenophobes.

divide and bloody conquer you guys are just eating into the hands of the zionists and islamophobes...well done!

Bill Patel - I think you need your head checked if you think people like MPAC are doing it for recognition because it is widely known that to do something for our backward communities gets a lot of critisms so your opinon that it is staged and they're after recognition of some sorted is dumb founded and ridicolous.

And the rest with their "yes MPAC did a lot but..." need to shut up because now it is in the open and the part of "don't show your laundry to world" kind of comment is childish too because the Muslim community have been doing that for a very long time before MPAC came to exist.

And it is a good thing MPAC has now opened this up because they are doing what the lot of you have no guts to do but watch and let it go because you DON'T want to be criticised because either someone might think bad of you, or be shunned by the hypocrites of community leaders or that you go against some invisible pansy quo.

Good work MPAC. You've done great. Keep going because the rest won't do jack and their words maybe be opinions but that's all there is.

Dragons without fire. Just smoke.

Wassalaam

We have so many battels to fight and win. Certainly presence of women in mosque is NOT one of them. Please spare our energy to bring the young to mosque and stop so many to go to prison and turn to drug addiction.
Our Muslim women are doing fine. Don't join those who want to get them out of home even going to mosque is a great fitna. Aisha May Allah be pleased with her said " Had the prohet known what women have done after his death he would have prevented them form Mpsque".
Salaams

Seems like MPAC are following the Government agenda on this on - the Government are keen to portray mosques as backward centres of extremism, etc, etc. that are not suited to "integrating" Muslims. This ridiculous campaign by MPAC seems to fit nicely with the Government agenda. Coming on the back of the Niqab affair and the comments of Reid, Kelly, etc., it is the last thing our community needed. Very few Muslims would assert that Muslim women should not be involved in mosques - it seems that MPAC want to hijack this issue for an unknown political end. I was also interested that the head of MPAC praised John Reid for his visit to East London - very surprising and suggests that while the MCB may have been ditched by Ruth Kelly, MPAC may now be getting government attention. May be MPAC can explain whether they have had any meetings with politicians or civil servants in the Government?

@ Pro-mpac - 'bloody mosques' - I lurve the way you present your arguements..If you dont want comments why dont you ask the website to put..add your 'compliments'..out of so many comments the majority disagree! erm..Could that possible reflect the views of the majority?

Everybody is entitled to their opinion and if the website has a platform to voice them, then why not use it? It'll probably save mpac getting alot of post regarding this issue..

Ive actually brought this issue forward on a number of websites..Again the majority disagree with such actions..

I reckon defending the veil is a much bigger issue.. I reckon the fact that our muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine cannot pray their salah at Masjid Aqsa is a much BIGGER issue..yes we can talk all day about it, but what are we doing?

..We are blowing out of proportion an issue that should be dealt with internally and not in front of the eyes of people that have been led to believe that islam is a religion of 'terror' and oppression..

Most mosques even dont have a proper wudu place, and u guys are talkin about getting women inside the mosques lol

I am watchimg the programme on channel4 and am disgusted. Our own people fighting each other on TV. good viewing i'm sure channel4 ratings will get a boost. I'm sure theres other ways around this then getting our mothers and sisters outside the mosque. I am all for women at mosque and am activley involved int he mosques in my region. Its just another way for the media to get at us again. Please open your eyes and wake up.

Mpac - The brother from mpac on the
Channel 4 Despatches programme.

You really shouldnt have taken part, your mannerisms and the way you behave is an embarasment.

I hope not many people watched this,,

You need a guide brother, some one to teach you and guide you so that you may be an example and not a disgrace.

Our actions and behaviour are ment to mirror those of RasulAllah saw..(to the best of our ability)

but your aggressive nature leaves little to be desired.

Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) has mentioned, ‘It is best for a woman to perform Salaat in the inner most recess of her home.’

Who knows whats best for women? the prophet of Allah..

You should all leave it that.. no one can disagree or say anything bad to this..

besides salaat.. for women to go in to mosques.. is ok.. weekly programmes are organised for women to learn teach congregate with other women..

Asalamualaykum.

Just watched the programme. That was a joke!, OK women want to pray in the masjid and they want equal rights - fair enough. But this programme just helped in the media's propaganda against Islam. What kind of image will this give to non-Muslims about Islam? The part where brothers and sisters were bickering made me cringe. Where was the segregation? Why were the brothers and sisters raising their voice? Is this Islamic?

No thanks to MPAC for providing such good anti-Islam propaganda and playing right into the hands of the Islamophobic agenda.
If I was an Islamophobic editor I would have been jumping for joy watching you cause fitnah and fasaad in the Ummah.
How you side with the disbelievers against those Muslims who you look down on, is only a suggestion that you yourselves are wallowing in the same self righteous nonsense
I'm afraid this is what happens when there is plenty of ZEAL but no knowledge. How many there are who have been misguided despite their good intentions.
The Sahabah would say "learn, THEN when you have learnt, act." But I suppose the Asghar Bukhari brigade doesn't need to take lessons from the Sahabah their own understanding is sufficient for them.

I advise MPAC to fear Allaah and stop causing fitnah and fasaad, grow up and learn your religion then you might be able to deal with problems more maturely and without making Islaam and the Muslims a laughing stock infront of the kuffaar.

Shame on you.

Prophet (saws) said the signs of a munafiq are three. One of them is when he gets angry he gets abusive. Asghar Bukhari needs to look at himself very closely. MPAC are a joke. They done more damage to the ummah than good. What is the point of appealing to the kuffar media about our rights when they are the very ones attackng us. Women should be allowed to pray at mosques but they shouldnt demand it from mosques that have no capacity to facilitate them. Why couldnt they get the message when they said there was no space. If they deem that as a feeble excuse then why dont MPAC sisters gather all the other sisters and pray in one of their own houses. They should remember their role. Allah says the men are maintainers of women they are a degree above them. MPAC go read the quran and stop making decisions based on your own hawah(desires and opinions)

I'm writing this email whilst im watching the programme and I understand the need for the facility for women in masjids.

However, I would like to know what is the object of
1. this programme on national TV?
2. The objective of the sisters of MPAC?
3. what do they think they have ?achieved by this programme being aired.

Being a practising muslim for some years I understand the difference of opionion within the religion and I also understand the culture barriers of the masjid committes, I would have thought IMPAC would have understood this too.

I know in ilford there are masjids that accomadte women and 2 of them are very good masjids with english speaking imams

I believe the tack ticks of IMPAC have been insulting to muslims and the overall cause of Islam. I'm not saying the task they set out to do was wrong its just the way they went about it.

I feel that the makers of the programme have set out to do exactly that.

You have totally lost my support. All that the show did was embarrass muslims and and giving fuel to people who hate muslim.

You make me sick.

As a Christian who has done more than many to highlight human rights abuses against Muslims (I have been prominent in campaigns in relation to Guantanamo & Hiatts- the Birmingham company that supplies Gitmo shackles), I thought it was a good programme and will do a lot of good for Muslims to be shown having a healthy debate regarding this issue rather than the media showing some of the 'usual suspects' who do not represent anyone apart from their own lunatic views and certainly DON'T represent the vast majority of decent law-abiding Muslims I meet on a daily basis at work.Best wishesDr David Nicholl

i watched dispatches, and was disheartened to see muslim women intermingeling with non mehram men out-side mosques,which is totally forbiden in islam, and lower your gaze. To follow islam for women it is very easy,they pray their salahs at home and get the same reward as men, who have to attend the mosque 5 times a day in all weathers, why do you women want to make life difficult for yourselves.

I just watched the program on channel 4 and was disgusted. You talk about preventing islamaphobia, well this program was promoting islamaphobia. I agree with women going to the mosque, but the manner of the protests were unacceptable, especially when you know there will be trouble. It takes times, an adaptation phase, not immedeiate demands. ThiS program gives energy to the negative media muslims face everyday. All it takes is dialogue, persistent, and time. NOT NEGATIVE MEDIA VIEWING OF MUSLIMS.

Prophet (saws) said the signs of a munafiq are three. One of them is when he gets angry he gets abusive. Asghar Bukhari needs to look at himself very closely. MPAC are a joke. They done more damage to the ummah than good. What is the point of appealing to the kuffar media about our rights when they are the very ones attackng us. Women should be allowed to pray at mosques but they shouldnt demand it from mosques that have no capacity to facilitate them. Why couldnt they get the message when they said there was no space. If they deem that as a feeble excuse then why dont MPAC sisters gather all the other sisters and pray in one of their own houses. They should remember their role. Allah says the men are maintainers of women they are a degree above them. MPAC go read the quran and stop making decisions based on your own hawah(desires and opinions)

All praise be to ALLAH.

There is no doubt that a woman’s prayer in her house is better for her than praying in the mosque, as is indicated by the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him). He said: "Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them." (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa’a fee khurooj al-nisaa’ ilaa’l-masjid: Baab al-tashdeed fee dhaalik. See also Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 7458).

Whenever a woman prays in a place that is more private and more hidden, that is better for her, as the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "A woman’s prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house." (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa’a fee khurooj al-nisaa’ ilaa’l-masjid. See also Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 3833).

Umm Humayd, the wife of Abu Humayd al-Saa‘idi reported that she came to the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) and said: "O Messenger of Allaah, I love to pray with you." He said: "I know that you love to pray with me, but praying in your house is better for you than praying in your courtyard, and praying in your courtyard is better for you than praying in the mosque of your people, and praying in the mosque of your people is better for you than praying in my mosque." So she ordered that a prayer-place be built for her in the furthest and darkest part of her house, and she always prayed there until she met Allaah (i.e., until she died). (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; the men of its isnaad are thiqaat (trustworthy)).

But the fact that praying at home is preferable does not mean that that women are not permitted to go to the mosque, as is clear from the following hadeeth:
From ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace be upon him) say: ‘Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque if they ask your permission.’" Bilaal ibn ‘Abdullah said, "By Allaah, we will prevent them." (Ibn ‘Umar) turned to him and told him off in an unprecedented fashion, saying: "I tell you what the Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said, and you say ‘By Allaah, we will prevent them’!!" (reported by Muslim, 667).

But there are conditions attached to the permission for women to go to the mosque, as follows:
(1) She should wear complete hijaab.
(2) She should not go out wearing perfume.
(3) She should have the permission of her husband.

Her going out should not involve any other kind of prohibited acts, such as being alone in a car with a non-mahram driver. If a woman does something wrong like that, her husband or guardian has the right to stop her; in fact it is his duty to do so. And Allaah knows best

As answered by:
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

MPAC that have their heads in the sand, once they grow up and see the fitnah that they have created they will surely regret the way they have gone about this pandering to the anti-Muslim climate in the UK. Instead of perusing a legitimate and noble cause of more facilities for women in a Islamic manner, they stoop to the level of the worst anti-Islamic hack with backbiting and insults. If anything, this program has done more harm to the cause of Muslim women in the UK. Believe me, after this program I will doubt if any other Islamic organisation with work with you ever again, you may not care about this fact, but you will soon realise how isolated you are from the rest of the Muslim community (or perhaps it will push you further into your denial).

I was heartily impressed by the committment that the Sisters tonight showed. I actively choose to pray in another Redbridge Masjid (not a million miles from Ilford) where Sisters and children are actively encouraged to come in and pray in a purpose built integrated facility. I bring my wife and daughter and this encourages both they and I to mingle with fellow Muslims. I truly feel part of a community which in the spirit of the Prophet (may peace be upon him) feels cohesive. Remember that the Sisters are the guardians of our children as well and that Sisters are a considerable repository of wisdom. Consider the situation of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) to whom great scholars used to turn to seek knowledge.
Being part of this community has given me a great deal of peace in my life. Respect Sisters and don't sully Islam with cultural misogyny.
MPAC's tactics may seem a little brash but we don't have time ...the Muslim Ummah in the UK is falling apart.
Wasalaam

i have lost all respect for MPAC. the programme was a disgrace. i support the right of women to go to the mosque, but the manner of protests was pure islamaphobia. the press will be loving this.

For what is worth(I'm an agnostic), my heart is with this brave bunch of girls fighting aloud for their right to pray in mosques. In my view all this no-women-in-mosque piffle is most un-Islamic. As for denying women an education, all I can say is that not only is also un-Islamic, is actually anti-Islamic! Didn't the Prophet say "go to China if necessary in search of knowledge". The reactionary forces within a (rather small, really) sector of Islam should not be allowed to carry the day or we all, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, mankind as a whole, will end up in big, big trouble.

Having just seen the programme, I applaud MPAC and these brave women for addressing this important issue.
Having seen this documentary it gives me hope that there are other women out there fighting for our basic rights to hold groups in mosques, educate ourselves on islam and pray.
Even if there is no room for women in jumma prayers, there is still a wealth of support and education that the mosques can and should be providing for all.
Please remember- these are the mothers and the first teachers of the children of our next generation!

I am disgusted with MPAC for allowing channel 4 to air this programme. These women went about the wrong way, turning up on a friday and trying to enter a mosque, these women are silly because the majority of mosques can not facilitate or make space for them. You can not have women and men using the same entrances and praying next to each other. I think in this climate of islamophobia MPAC was wrong to use the media because people who do not understand islam will continue to think islam permits violence and oppresses women. At the end of the programme when one woman was asked can you have a woman president she replied why not? Islam gives equal rights to women but their are certain things a woman can not do and certain things a man can not do. In america a woman recently became a imam. Is this right. Offcourse not these women on the programme have been sucked in by western values of anything a man can do a woman can do. If these women wanted to get into the mosques they should have deen dressed properly for a start. One woman said when she goes to the mosque they tell her to bring her son or husband, she said don't we have our own mouths. Offcourse you do but doesn't she know she is not suppose to see another man unless he is her mahram. You can't have women going to the mosque and talking directly with the imam without a male with her. Why do these women want to pray in the mosque when they get more reward paying at home. Their is nothing wrong with them praying in the mosque as long as there is segregation however not every mosque can do this. If these women want to pray in every mosque in britain then they should pay for extensions and seperate entrances to enter the mosque for every mosque in britain. There are mosques out their that can not accomodate the men and these silly women want to add to this problem.

AS SALAAMU ALAIKUM,

MAY PEACE AND BLESSING BE UPON YOU ALL.

SORRY MPAC, BUT ME TINKS U SCORED A SPECTACULAR OWN GOAL AFTER VIEWING DISPATCHES.

U ARE GONNA LOSE A LOT OF SUPPORT AFTA TODAY.

IM JUST BEING HONEST.

AFTA READIN UR ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT HAPENED AT BALFOUR ROAD I HAD SOME SYMPATHY FOR THE SISTERS, BUT TODAY I REALISED, WHOEVER WROTE THAT ARTICLE MUST HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY THE GUTTER BRITISH MEDIA. U MITE AS WELL WRITE FOR THE SUN, U PORTRAYED IT TO BE AN ATTACK ON THE SISTERS, WHEN IT WAS ALL YOU FAULT. I AM NOT CONDONING WHAT THE BOTHERS DID THAT DAY, BUT U ASKED FOR IT.

I AM A YOUTH WORKER IN NEWHAM, AND I AM PUSHING FOR MORE FACILITIES FOR YOUTH, BUT I DONT GO AROUND ALL THE MASJIDS, CAUSING FITNAH, U HAVE TO DO IT IN A MANNER OF PEACE AND HARMONY, NOT THROUGH PROVOCATION. THE ISLAMIC WAY IS NOT TO BARGE IN AND CAUSE FITNAH IN THE COMMUNITY, ITS ABOUT DOING IT THOROUGH DIALOGUE AND WISDOM.

THE APPROACH U USED WAS SIMILAR TO THE SHOCK AND AWE TACTICS OF THE KUFFAR AGAINST OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD.

STOP PROMOTING THINGS WHICH DISUNITE THE UMMAH, SEEK TO UNITE THE UMMAH BY WISDOM, MPAC CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE LACKING THIS!!! SEEK GUIDANCE FROM LEARNED SCHOLARS, AND STOP MAKING UP YOUR OWN INTERPRETATIONS OF ISLAM THROUGH YOUR LIMITED KNOWLEDGE, WE LAY PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO INTERPRET THE QURAN AND SUNNAH AND HADITH.

THE TRUTH OF ISLAM, WHEREBY THE MASAJID ARE THE CENTRE OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY, FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND MEN, IS A LONG WAY AWAY, BUT WE ARE ALL STRIVING FOR IT, AND ONLY THROUGH THE CORRECT GUIDANCE OF LEARNED SCHOLARS WILL WE BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD!!!!!

AND BY THE WAY, MCB HAVE NO POWER, WHAT SORT OF NONSENSE STATEMENT WAS THAT BY THE SISTERS!

PLEASE GET A GRIP!! FOR THE SAKE OF THE UMMAH!

I DO NOT CONDONE THE NARROW MINDEDNESS OF THE MASJID COMMITTEE'S. BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING TOWARDS CHANGING THINGS THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS SO STOP UNDOING OUR GOOD WORK.

WASSALAAM,

FORGIVE ME FOR ANY OFFENCE CAUSED.

YOUR BROTHER IN ISLAM.

BROTHER MOHAMMED

asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
i think the documentary was absolutely ridiculous. the sisters approach was so disgusting. they need to learn some manners from a real muslimah. astaghfirullah they should atleast cover up properly be4 they represent a muslim women. may Allah giude them to the straight path, ameen. say ameen. shame on you.

Salaam
Just watched the programme "Women only Jihad" and there were some good and bad points to it. It was really good to see some muslims women explaining that mosques are meant to be community centres. But the main MPAC chap, Mr. Bukhari I believe, was incredibly rude to I beleive the Educational and Development muslim sister. Adaab is essential. If you want to convince someone of change, it needs to be done with tact. No one likes to admit that their own way is wrong and so is naturally opposed to change, it's an ego thing, simple psychology/common sense.

When someone shouts at them and behaves in an agressive manner, and here I mean the MPAC chap was aggressive to the Educatinal Development sister, this is simply not the way forward. This is equally true of how the MPAC members were maltreated by the congregation. Just as bad as each other. And to make things worse, it appears it was during Ramadhan too!

Now, not to blow my own trumpet, but I personally have been involved with grass roots projects within mosques to do with specifically providing free maths education for school kids. Grass roots projects organised and run by the new younger demograph is what is needed to bring about change. Moaning and giving petitions to the old school gang is not going to bring about change, and this is what MPAC (and by no means are they alone, other groups are guilty or this too) seem to be all about.

Instead of actually organising themselves to be the actual runners of grass roots projects and bring about real change, they seem to concentrate on voicing their opinions and expecting others to accomodate their wishes. If you want something doing right, do it yourself. Don't expect that by simply crying to the old folks or trying to blackmail them by putting their names in the press that you will get long lasting beneficial change. Stop moaning and start physically acting and engaging, there is a difference between confrontation and co-operation. Don't expect, suggest. Provide the resources to the masjids in order for change. Provide the man power to the masjids for change. And after all this , if a masjid in questions refuses to take your offer go to one that will take your offer, you will find them happy to take new things on board as long as it's not a headache for the committee to organise, monitor and maintain.

Please forgive me if I've offended anyone, but it is now our time, the relatively young :) to give a bit of time to trying to bring about some change.

Salams,I watched the programme, and i was shocked at the anger and tension that has been generated through the style of this campaign. Don't get me wrong, I myself a muslim woman fully appreciate the need for women to attend the mosque whether it be for prayer or other activities. However is it really necassary to shout at one another, to be so dismissive in your approach? As an ummah we are being attacked from every direction by the west. Why then are we foolish enough to start attacking one another? those people who threw eggs at the sisters are foolish and should be spoken to, but why is the adhab taught to us by our Prophet (saw) thrown out of the window? We are meant to show mercy and firmness. Not shout at one another. Two wrongs do not make a right. Show them this behaviour is wrong, demand an apology. Educate them on the correct way to treat another muslim, esp. sisters....Your point is a valid one, but will fail if the community is divided. Our strength lies in our unity and adherence to the laws given to us by Allah(swt). Meetings should be held with the mosque commities with "calmer" bros who won't loose their rag, and sisters to put the suggestions forward explaining why as a community this is needed. Not once did I hear (perhaps edited??), the hadith of how the the Prophet forbade the men from forbidding the women from attending the mosque! These hadith and others that are similer are not hard to come by. To sum up, your cause is just, but the approach is all wrong. It's causing division and more hatred in a community that is already being attcked from every direction. Why would you seek to hurt it from within?It easy to look at others and pick at all there faults, but we should also look to ourselves to keep our behaviour in check.Ras(saw) said, "A muslim is a mirror of another believer."

salam
I think that the programme was an absolute and utter disgrace to the name of Islam and muslim women. Why an earth would muslim want to go to the mosque to fulfill her 5 daily salat when she can do the same in the sanctity and peace of her home, furthermore Islam does not encourage the intermingling of sexes. Do you seriously think that if women were to go and pray where men pray then there will be no fitnah? please wake up to reality.
It was a shame to see muslim women standing outside the masjid after JUMAH salat, laughing and giggling in front of so many men where is the Sharam and Haya in this? The documentary has made a mockery out of Islam and Women and now the non-believers out there watching it willl think that men oppress women in Islam and we all know that isn't true.
One of the issues raised was that women want to go out and learn knowledge about the quran and hadith.. well where I live they hold seperate classes for women who want to learn, and I know most defintley that they also do this in Blackburn, I cannot understand what more these women could possibly want!
At times when we need to be united, we are causing rifts between Muslims and conflicts. I thought that we all had one goal to achieve and all followed the same religion!.
The group that is meant to be making things better for Islam has indeed made things worse!. I am ashamed to think that there are muslim brothers and sisters out there who could cause so much damage to Islam.
MPACUK has undoubtedly made this documentary without thoughts to the effects and consequences it will have on the rest of the Islamic population. In trying to pursue their own ideas and rights they have selfishilly ignored the rights of other muslims.
May Allah give us the taufeeq to act upon the correct ways of Islam. Ameen

Make your mind up MPAC... either you want the place of worship or u want the power? cuz after watching the documentary its quite obvious that all you were after was power! you just wanted that control over men... you bunch of feminists! Be Normal AND!....

DO NOT SPEAK FOR US MUSLIM SISTERS IN THE UK WHO DONT AGREE WITH YOU! YOU ABSOLUTELY HUMILIATED AND EMBARRASED US WITH YOUR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR-WHICH IS WHY THE GUY SAID 'HAVE A SUBTLE APPROACH'

Oh and just how u like to use ahadeeth and the qur'an as evidence to support this 'idiotic' behaviour (oooh im loving this) Aysha Radhillahu anha ALWAYS and i mean ALWAYYSS used a subtle approach. the same advice the Muslim Council of Britain gave you, so dont scorn at what he said. maybe u would have got somewhere if u were 'SUBTLE' enough. be decent and be a role model for us, so we can say we agree with u.
AND WHATS THE BIT WHERE I SEE YOU WOMEN GETTING SIGNATURES FOR THE PETITION FROM NON - MUSLIMS? ITS LIKE HAVING MUSLIMS VOTING FOR SOME CHURCH OR SOMETHING!
ALso, you lied about the millham mosque attacking you with eggs! WHy did you lie?

I've already made a comment could you pleasu put it up.

salam, what ever happened to modesty?
the sisters were very immature in their approach. please learn the rulings on hijab, you want to allowed in the mosques but you don't want to observe the proper hijab! islam isnt something you pick and choose. i think the sisters were an absolute disgrace, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Asghar Bukhari & his minions, for one full hour on television, behaved and argued in the most unsophisticated and uncharismatic way that one possibly could.

Was this really the best time for this isuue, of all damn issues, to be highlighted. As a general statement women should be allowed into mosques - and even those men who are reluctant would agree that the uneducated MPAC crew need to go somewhere to at least try to dissolve all that ignorance.

But then i heard them ask why a woman cannot be President of a Mosque. There is no hope! Allah's Messenger permitted women to attend mosques; and from the same sources we know that he forbade them to be leaders (may Allah bless him and give him peace).

May Allah save us from the abhorrent ways of some muslims

salaams,i just saw your trailer & I think the way you handled it is very very very sad there are other peaceful means to do it.Muslims should be uniting not dividing and you just did that! today muslim women dont even cover themselfs properly and they want to pray in the masjid WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THAT!. if we love Allah
then follow the QURAN AND SUNNAT!

Its clear what the biggest issue is with regards to the mpac fight for 'women's justice'. Islamic etiquette is being sacrificed to fight a cause that is just. Take some comments in the program for example: "if your gonna close the door, close it properly, love " and the use of the word "damn". Yes, we as muslims must strive to ensure all rights are given to all people, but we must never adopt a behaviour outside that which is allowed by islam in doing so. There are many who question those who question mpacs method in this issue, asking them why they themselves dont do something instead of leaving mpac to do the leg work. But what makes anyone so sure that mpac is alone in the fight to ensure justice? Is it because other organisations dont adopt an agressive and condemning approach, openly blasting many muslim communities in the name of peace, harmony and justice? Hmm, hypocrisy seems like a more relevant problem here. What mpac fails to realise is that they would have the backing of the majority of the muslim community with most of the issues they raise. But it is through their methods and their approach that they make enemies of everyone who would otherwise have helped or contributed. Take mcb for example, they showed a willingness to help, but stressed modesty and a non-agressive approach, and for this they were criticised behind their backs, (as in after the conversation with the brother from mcb!) It seems to me that the mpac mentality is not 'mpac for the muslim community', its 'mpac against the world'. The only thing they acheived by putting power at the hands of channel4 is portaying themselves as victims of islam, not muslims for islam. If Muslims want peace, harmony, equality and justice, then agression will take us nowhere.

First of all I would like to show how disgusted I was by one of the sisters involved in “women only jihad” by the name of Sabah Khan ? How can you allow her to comment on the hijab, the sisters have a hard time as it is upholding the hijab in our society without our own ignorant sisters on national TV making statements like " I hate to admit it, but I feel stronger without it" Secondly, if Blackburn mosque want to follow the hadith stating that women should pray friday prayer at home, then mpacers Im afraid they how every right to do so. MPAC have confounded the issue of women praying in the mosque at a specific time (juma) with the role of women in the mosque in general. As we saw in a meeting Mpac had made assumptions that women where not involved in the mosque. Also there was a great clip of irony, earlier on the program the sisters complained about how they where treated by brothers but then later on we saw a mpac brother (the one with the glasses) shouting and speaking over the sister at the Northern mosque committee.

peace on you. and shame on you mapc sisters. whats wrong wit you lots, where is your haya, your manners your ........jilbabs???? its is FARDH for muslim BELIEVING women to cover up, its not fardh for them to pray in congregation in a masjid. if you want facilities for sisters then pay up. you cant expect miracles to happen. shouting and screaming at imams isnt going to help is it? where is your respect? round the corner picking up roti???? oh balleh balleh

Salaam. It is very important to provide a space for our sisters to pray and carry out certain activites that will enhance their skills and benefit them e.t.c. But lets admit it MPAC have made a dangerous move by taking an internal issue to the media. It is only you who will be embarressed on the news tommorow, when they say look at these Muslims fighting over each other.

Whilst Sisters should be allowed to pray, please note that women will benifit even more in their own homes. I hope we all make dua to Allah to ease our situations. Ameen

Salam to all,

I've just watched the dispatches documentary, I must say Im not surprised at the content. People getting very emotional and angry without being very productive.

I think we are all missing the point here, Islam is very much demonised in the west, im sure this programme isnt going to push any one over one side of the fence or the other. What this programme should serve to highlight is how ignorant muslims are about their own religion.

This isnt an issue of women just being able to pray in the mosque, what in effect muslims have done is denied women from being a part of their own community. This keep them locked at home for their own safety mentality is restricting women from being productive members of their own community. Islam is a very personal religion but at many times in ones life one needs the support of the islamic community. We can't conclude being asian that we can always rely on the extended family.

One such situation is when a woman is being subjected to domestic violence or abuse. Where is she supposed to turn? To the socail services the police? surely in an islamic community an institution such as a mosque should be a safe haven for such a woman?? Where she can be helped by fellow muslim women who are aware of her needs and situation.

You dont have to have a PHd to realise that this is only of potentially hundreds of situations where a mosque could be used to benefit the whole of the muslim community.

In a community as generous as ours i find it shocking that we excuse our total diregard for women in the planning of our mosques as simply monetory issues. This is a problem rooted in our south asian cultural inheritence. We need to come to terms with the fact that unfortunately some muslim men and even women arent fully aware of the rights of women. In fact they should be made aware of the duty to ensure the protection of their muslim sisters even if that means opening the doors of the mosque to give them sanctuary.

We do potentally risk becoming a laughing stock when we pelt our own women with eggs for simply stating an opinion!!

Peace,

May Allah subhaanahu wa taala grant you success in your quest.

You go girls!!!

Peace.

you mpac lot are a bunch of dopey people. probably dont even turn up to mosque more than once a week (even thats probably a miracle) that t//*t with those glasses needs to get done over cus he talks to much sh*t.

this whole programme was a joke...

MPAC = POLITICALLY MOTIVATED

nothing to do with islam.....everyone knows that mosques accomodate women...you just grabbed sum random hijabiz that thought they were on a crusade against the world and let them loose on everyone.

Asalaamoalykum

Just watched the programme, what a disgrace! Firstly let me just make my position clear on the topic of this programme. I think women should not be stopped from praying in the masaajid in accordance with the word of the Prophet SAW. Even if there is not a seperate section for women they should be allowed to pray behind the men, as was done during the time of the Prophet SAW, however only if they are covered in the correct Islamic manner.

Some of those sisters who appeared on this documentary tonight need to get their priorities sorted out before starting their pickets and petitions which they seem to have imported from the kuffar into their version of Islam.

How about, first and foremost understanding that their is no point covering your hair when the rest of the clothes you wear are figure-hugging and the skirt you have is revealing your ankles, not to mention your bra line being visible to the millions of viewers out there as well as some of their perfectly plucked eyebrows which the Prophet SAW also forbade us to do incidently! But hey, we will leave those sunnah's for now and will stick to the one about sisters wanting to pray in the masjid.

Let's face it, these were a bunch of ignorant sisters, propped up by Mr. Bukhari to get himself and MPAC yet more publicity and media limelight.

Asghar, when will you appear in a documentary defending the Sunnah of men not being allowed to be in the company of non-mahram women as you appeared to be in the programme tonight in that restaurant? Not anytime soon i guess?

Like I said, those Massajid and their committee's are wrong to not allow women in their masaajid. However the manner in which the sisters and moreso Ashgar Bukhari went about it really had me up in arms.

Busy yourself with seeking knowledge, the lot of you, before taking part in such counter productive documentaries at such testing times for the Muslims in the UK.

Honestly, some of those sisters were speaking like they had just graduated from the Oprah/Jerry Springer/Trisha School of Drama as opposed to the humble and modest Muslimmah that they professed to be.

May Allah SWT Guide us all to the Straight Path. The path of following all of the Prophetic Sunnah's (such as the male folk keeping beards) and not the path of plucking one Sunnah out and then causing problems in the local Muslim communties.

Honestly, as if we don't already have enough on or plates to be dealing with. To conclude, a major own goal tonight for MPAC in my opinion.

Wasalaam

Umm Yahya

salams . i think MPAC are a disgrace to be honest . Before i thought they were ok but after watching the documentary i started to think 'when does asghar bukhari ever discuss things rather than force them'. Yes they should let women pray in mosques but its better for them to pray at home and yh men should let them pray if they ask. But Islam doesnt teach force either like the sister were doing in a childish manner....like they weren't even taught any manners or ways off discussing things. And did the sisters and Asghar Bukhari ever think or even care of how stupid this looks to the non-muslims.

Assalamo Alikum

My family watched the documentry with interest and sat down and discussed it.My wife is a Zimbabwean Asian I am a British White revert. We were both appauled and disgusted on the action of the so called muslim men at the musjids that were being shown. This was Hislam not Islam, my wife felt ashaimed of her indian heritage. We pray as a family at our local musjid that is multiracial and welcomes women to pray. Could the answer be that where you have men from an asiatic background they have not rid themselves of there hindu baggage? where women are treated as second class citizens! Please can someone show me in the Quran,Hadith and Suna where women are to be opressed in this manner? The other intresting point is that the men that were shown in the film were shouting,swearing and generally behaving in an unislamic manner. Shatan was in them what form of Salah had they made? Our blessed prophet pbbuh showed all the way through his wonderful life that women and children were to be loved and cherished not treated in this sinful manner.We are all Muslims after all One further comment for the Sister they should contact the charity commission who would be most interested.

Up until today i was really interested in MPAC and wanted to find out more about this organisation and how it helps the Muslim society as a whole. However, after watching the MPAC team and their behaviour towards other fellow Muslim brothers, and also the behaviour which was very upsetting to see of our Muslim sisters"fighting for their rights" that they were already given in the early stages in Islam anyway. I now have a more clearer understanding of MPAC, and unfortunately, I think that it is using women and other sources to spread FITNAH in Britan. On the show I watched many different women who some of them were wearing Niqab, shouting and raising their voices, fighting with Ghayr Mahram men. May Allah Protect. This upsetted me alot as Islam and the roles of women wearing the Niqab was portrayed in a very bad way, hence, western people not understanding the concept of a lady covering her face.Another point I would like to comment on is that we Muslims should have a unity, and if MPAC is fighting with Muslim Brothers in the Mosques, the unity cannot be seen. If we are not united with our brothers and sisters then how will we be able to spread Islam and show the true meaning of Islam, unlike the programme that was aired on National Television, then this gives the oppurtunity to the non-muslims to mock our faith and the brotherhood that we are supposed to have.May Allah give us all the strength to stay steadfast on our Deen. Ameen

I totally agree that women should have equal rights as men to pray in mosques, Islamically it is permissible for women to pray in Masjids......this ruling is clearly expressed in the Hadeeth of Ibn Umar (RA) in which the Prophet (SAW) said,
"When a woman asks one of you for permission to go to the Masjid,then do not prevent her(from going)." - Related by Bukhaaree (5238), Muslim (442)

However the Shariah encourages men to be at a distance from women in the Masjid.... even after the Prophet (SAW) finished leading the prayer he made sure that men and women remained separated....LOL the Sisters in the documentary were doing completely the opposite im not surprised the men were being so rude.......Wheres the RESPECT for them it works both ways....surely there must be other ways to get your points across instead of standing outside the mosques whether it be before or after prayer handing leaflets out and distracting our Brother.

Is it that difficult to speak slowly,not interrupting or cutting off someone whilst he is speaking, and calmly voicing your beliefs and opinions ???? No ones going to take u seriously arguing in that manner.

Your intentions may be in the right place but your approach cannot be....
Alhamdulilah your trying to help the muslim women in Britain may Allah (swt) reward you for your efforts Inshallah but do you have to act in such a rude manner???

Salams

After watching the programme I was highly disturbed by the tactics that MPAC used in order to further their campaign to have facilities for women at the mosque.

Overall the approach lacked wisdom, you can't fight fire with fire as they say. When did we lose our ability to be diplomatic?

Brother Asghars manner when speaking to the sister at the committee meeting was disgusting. He shouted down at her, causing others to become heated up in the process,achieving very little overall. Since when was this from Islam? Brother you speak of equal rights for women, and helping them to establish themselves as members of society, but I've got news for you, you're really not helping when you scream down at those who do try and make an effort.

Sisters, when you jump on brothers as they leave the masjid, bombard them with leaflets, and to top it all up, have a camera crew present (given the current relationship between Muslims and the media) do you really expect to be welcomed with open arms?

Your tactics were no more Islamic then the hostile reaction you recieved outside the Masjid.

Also, why did you feel this issue had to be bought up on national television? This is an issue for the Muslim community to solve on its own. Furthermore if anything constructive actually came out of the programme then maybe my views would be different, but overall the message given was that Muslims cannot organise their own backyards. How then can we expect Non Muslims to even look at us seriously let alone listen to anything we have to say?

salam alaikum

This documentary has certainly sparked off some debate, and despite all our different views, perhaps some good can come out of it.

MPAC are working very hard and let's encourage and support them for believing passionately in women's rights in Islam, and persisting with the uphill struggle of changing attitudes. Although i share the concern of many, around the lack of diplomacy demonstrated by MPAC in how they approached the mosques, I think that as viewers and members of the public, our hostility and criticism towards MPAC will be just as unhelpful.

Attitudes take time to shift and although MPAC need to facilitate the process of women gaining access to more mosques, this task requires a degree of sensitivity. To win the hearts and minds of those that are already in power in these mosques, MPAC needs to avoid overly threatening these individuals which is likely to lead to these individuals taking an even more extreme position with regards to their views on women accessing mosques.

All the same, well done to MPAC for their commitment. My impression is that you may have done more with this campaign than you intended to. Let's hope the damage will be outweighed by the benefits.

wsalam

whether it is right or wrong for women to pray, the way in which MPAC handled the issue is totally wrong. You are not going to convince mosque leaders by taking a media crew with you and a large group of people. This is clearly intimidation. MPAC have faciliated the anti-islamic feelings that the west already hold. People in the west are probably thinking we are biased towards women. There are means and styles of propageting your ideas. This was clearly ill judged and will not work as seen in the documentary.

I think you guys need to fix up. I agree that there should be facilities for women but its better if they pray at home. And the way you approached it was like clowns. Why dont MPAC concentrate on following the sunnah a bit more. I think that rather than worrying about women in masjid's why not see how the women in that program lacked any sense of modesty. I think the prophet would be concerned about how you approach the issue of freemixing. How many of you guys actually have a beard and the first guys to shave were the greek homasexuals who wanted to imitate women. I think libarlism and feminism is the worst thing affecting muslims today. How many of you guys actually know the meaning of surah fatiha let alone anything else. The issue of women praying at home is agreed upon by all to be more virtuous. And since when do women who have makeup have a right to argue outside a mosque.

I watch the programme and it was moving for me i have recently reverted to Islam and people have not been supportive of my choice but what really offend's me is if Muslim men cannot respect Muslim women then why would anyone else feel they have to respect us. At the moment as it stand the world is against Islam and against Muslims and if we cant support ourselves why should we expect anyone else. We should all be pulling together as a community right now not dividing ourselves.

Salam to all,

I watched the prog and must say I didn't like the aggresive manner in which both the sisters and brothers came across, it seemed to me that some of the places these sisters wanted to enter where little more that corner houses converted into make shift mosques, It was abit pointless to go to a place of prayer knowing full well there were no provisions i.e physical space for the sisters to pray, Were the sisters expecting to pray among the brothers?! I must say I found the whole prog to be throughly embarrassing, I can not see the point of praying on the street when these sisters had homes to pray in. I'm sure every one is aware that sisters are not encouraged to prayer out on the street like that, the whole excercise was lame and MPAC need to use their heads and more diplomatic means in aiding the sisters cause! Yes I agree Mosques should be places of community, learning and support for all worshippers, however this was a very poor thought out plan, resulting in shame AGAIN of the Muslims.

Dear Pro-Mpac! & Shah,

Assalamu alaykum. Please don't pass judgement and assume that nobody else is doing anything. Your offensive emails are rude. How can you say "bloody mosques" and refer to your Muslim SISTERS and brothers as "spineless apologists"? We are accountable for every word we say.

The programme showed that MPAC and mosque members did not adhere to Islamic adhab of talking to fellow Muslims. You can't raise your voice to another Muslim and shout at them. If our prophet (saw) didn't feel the need to shout/make a scene to be allowed to worship at the kabah against the kaafir- why do MPAC? MPAC has a lot of good campaigns BUT because you follow secular methods, you will never be successful - which is a shame.

I want to ask the brother from Blackburn which masjid it is that allows women to pray? The masaajid here will not let you pray even if you are travelling through the town and have nowhere else to go. I doubt very much that any new masjid (as if we need any more- try getting people in at fajr first!) will have a sisters section. If it does, then I can bet it will not be a hanafi masjid (possibly ahle-hadith/salafi or shi'a).

There is a a way and means islamically to put your viewpoints across. The more i see MPAC members on TV they come across rude arrogant without islamic mannerisms.

MPAC have focussed their attention on a couple of mosques in different communities which do not reflect the community as a whole. Mpac fail to point out that these masjids cater for women but in a different way allowing access to educational matters whe the men folk are not around.

Women cannot intermingle with 500 men coming out of a masjid!

MPAC were meant to highlight issues affecting the muslim ummah and give them a voice. However recently all its seems to have done is show weaknesses of the ummah to non muslims, empowering them,furthering the critisms towards the muslim ummah. Myself and family members were disgusted by what we watched on TV this evening.

I belive there should be a place in the mosque for the ladies, but only on issues of childcare, welfare, community cohesion, and problems for woman to be discussed with women and alima's.What I strongy disagrre with is the way you portrayed your documantry on CH4, we are fighting islamaphobia and the BNP not too forget people like Jack Staw, with out islamic woman fighting outside a mosue, I didnt see any ladies fron blackburn fighting to go to the mosque in blackburn? why did u have to bring woman from London down here to make it look more dramatic? you sensanolised it with your programme for the benfit of the Kafir, and for that you have lost my support, why didnt you get you favourite Son Ibrahim Master to answear your question instead? isnt that what you were trying to do? provoke him? please these are difficult times and dont make us look in nay more bad light than we already do now.

saw the programme...thanks for kicking the muslims while we're down. more negative press "women are so oppressed in islam" i hear mr and mrs joe bloggs saying whilst watching ch. 4 on a quiet monday evening.

Salaam
After having watching the Dispatches documentary, I was extremely outraged by the methods that you used. If you want to be recognised and actually make a change then I suggest you become more professional in your actions. From what I saw on the documentary your members were causing havoc in different areas without maybe researching or finding out what other women in that area have already done on this issue. I, myself, live near Blackburn and have attended meetings with other sisters regarding this issue.Things like this do not happen overnight, which is unfortunate, but we have shown patience.
This jihad should be conducted in a civilised manner, & not strictly a battle between us & the men, which is in my opinion how your members came across in the documentary.
Follow our Prophet's (saw) example if someone speaks to you in a disrespectful way like some people did then don't reply in the same manner. Kill them with your kindness! Be civilised ladies.

Media hungry MPAC are at it again - The presenter of the documentary was a good example of the type of Islam MPAC like - you make me sick

Firstly I would like to congratulate mpac for once again making Islam look like a joke. Don’t get me wrong I agree with what you want, women should be allowed to pray in the mosque where possible BUT I feel that the way you approached this was wrong.
I am angry, ashamed and disgusted with the behaviour of both the sisters and brothers who appeared on this programme as I feel that it showed our religion is out of control and our people can not work together. What does this show the non-muslims? isn’t this just another reason for them to attack us again?

It was also surprising to see Balfour Road mosque being approached when many other large institutions could have been approached. Balfour road mosque being my local mosque is very close to my heart and as a muslim woman I feel is working well with its community and working its way up to becoming a stronger institution. I am shocked that such an institution was chosen because of its size, the mosque is tiny, I went there for Arabic classes and that was a squeeze. So tell me mpac where is such a small institution to make room for women to pray? It is very stupid to compare it to one like Finsbury Park mosque where the institution is laid out on a larger scale.
I feel that mpac has a habit of stirring up controversial issues with the camera and I would like them to do so without.
It upsets me that mpac blindly walked into the trap of Channel 4 and showed the non-muslim world that our religion does not respect it’s women. I have already been approached by many non-muslim friends who are shocked to see the programme. Is this what we want in our muslim community? I don’t think so!

I also found it amusing that mpac was only turned away from 2 mosques. These 2 institutions do not represent others and I feel that many of us should pick up on this.

I would like to question mpac on when this issue was raised and who was consulted upon this. Were other muslim sisters asked about how they felt? Or was it jus those few sisters who felt they wanted to pray at the mosque?
Yes I know women on the programmer were asked but were they not women who took part in prayers together at community centres or Arabic classes etc?
Why were not those women who were shopping or taking thier children to school or going work asked?
Petitions were drawn up but was it me or did everybody see that anybody and everybody was signing the petition? shouldn’t the petition have been directed at only muslim women?

mpac you are doing a good job but this isn’t the right way to go about things.
Just as the women said in the meeting many good things are happening but small organisations like yours are ruining it, you can do this but properly.

It feels as if this is a political war rather than a sister’s fight for her right in Islam.

Salams.


p.s. a note to "pro mpac!" if people like me were approached then we would give our view. but if you want to do it yourself and then expect everyone to support you it doesnt work. so please save the hypocrisy lecture for someone and somewhere else it doesnt apply.

Salam,

I hope and pray that this reaches you in the best of imaan and health. I am writing to give some feedback on the Channel 4 Program broadcasted today.

MashaALLAH you have got very honourable intentions and your efforts are all directed towards the betterment of the Muslim ummah. I also feel that the greater involvement of women within the Muslim community of Britain is essential to the further development of the Muslim Ummah.

However, I think the approach that MPAC took on the whole was not very constructive. The mosques should have been approached in a more peaceful and sensible manner. If we think back to the Prophet (SAW)’s time, we can see, that his manner and way of changing people who had set views and ideas, embedded within their characters from decades, was very different to the method you have used.

We must understand that Islam allows for differences in opinion and these differences are a blessing rather than a point of argument between Muslims. Some of the brothers who had a different view on the matter must also be respected. We as an ummah must not forget the Prophet (SAW)’s advice on loving for our brothers what we love for ourselves. If we remembered and practiced this advice of the prophet (SAW) as it should be practiced, half the conflicts that arose outside the mosques would not have occurred.

Secondly, we need to remember that the Muslim ummah is already under continuous scrutinisation and criticism. If we ourselves portray Islam in the way it was portrayed today we are giving the media, the general public and those waiting for every opportunity to oppose Islam, a very authentic proof for their arguments. Every nation has its internal disagreements but these must not be shown to any external parties. Muslims need to show a united front and our approach rather than being feminist, as it seemed today, should be more Islamic.

We need to remember that the community of Muslims is not very educated unfortunately, and some of their views are based on cultural ideologies as opposed to Islamic rulings. As a Muslim organization MPAC need to be prepared for such uncivil responses from the general community of Muslims and should not, resort to responding back in the same confrontational and argumentative method. MPAC as a known organization should have been more Islamic and more responsible in the way that they dealt with the issue.
Furthermore, I believe that some of the hostile response MPAC received was more due to media presence, than anything else. Having the media present seems to suggest that MPAC were expecting a scene to be created and were not planning to deal with the issue in a more peaceful way.

MPAC virtually undermined their noble intentions by behaving in an inappropriate manner; specifically at the meeting which one of the mosques very cordially invited them to. I am sorry to say that one of the MPAC brothers actually destabilized the whole argument that was being put forward, by addressing one of the sisters who was quite polite diplomatic, in a harsh and aggressive manner. If you give it some thought the MPAC brother reacted to this sister, in exactly the same way as the mosque brothers reacted to MPAC sisters. In this clash of ideas and views no one can any longer be regarded as having a mature approach and the main take home message for viewers is that Muslims are unreasonable, immature, argumentative and sexist people. This is not the sort of promotion Islam needs in this time and age.

I hope this message serves as a good reminder and advice for any future campaigns that MPAC wish to undertake. JazakALLAH Khair for all your efforts.

Your sister in Islam.

I've just watched this programme and I'm completely disgusted. These sisters did not stick to the adhaabs of Islam when presenting their issue. And in fact their issue had no basis, they only seemed determined to be like men. The mosque were kind enough to offer them space to pray (terrached house across the mosque) but they still werent' satisfied. they were too stubborn in my view - in the programme they prayed on the pavement (in front of the mosque) when they could have prayed at home or somewhere else. The fact that in Islam, women get more reward by praying at home still didn't jolt them. It became obvious that there were other motives behind this campaign.

Another issue that they displayed was that of women getting involeved in the management of the mosques, they were free to create their own women's commitee but that didn't seem to be enough. I got the vibe that they supported the idea of a female imam - but somene clarify if i may be wrong.

I make dua that Allah (swt) guides these sisters. ameen.

It is best illustrated by a Hadith narrated by Umm Hameed [Radhiallaahu anha].

She said to Prophet [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam], ‘O dear Prophet, I enjoy very much praying when you are leading the Salaat.’

Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] said, ‘I understand that you enjoy praying more when I am leading the Salaat. It is, however, better for you to offer Salaat in your private room than even in your house. It is better for you to pray inside your house than in the courtyard of your house. It is better to offer Salaat in your house than offering it in the neighbourhood Masjid. It is better for you to pray in the neighbourhood Masjid than my Masjid.’

After this, Umm Hameed always prayed in the innermost room of her house and adhered to this practice for rest of her life. (Musnad Ahmad vol.6 pg.371; Saheeh ibn Khuzayma 1689)

to all those 'who agreed with MPAC but...' now you have seen the documentary bet you dont agree.

yeah put your money where you mouth is. Rock on MPAC.

Very Disappointed and upset with you the so called "Muslim" representatives (MPAC) using the Media in this way to tarnish other Muslims and Islam. SHAME ON YOU ! !

Who says Mosques are shut to Women? They are not just shut to Women, but to all who use force and unislamic ways of creating dialouge and entry into the House of Allah.

Please ask Allah to forgive all who are creating unnecessary issues, and pray that he guides us all in these testing times !!

I am a Roman Catholic family man who has just watched tonights Dispatches programme on Channel 4.

I would like to share my thoughts after watching the valiant Ladies of MPAC tonight.

1) Please continue your struggle, as I firmly believe that giving women FULL access to the facilities, management and the Executive of their communities Mosques, will eventually lead to a more peaceful and tolerant society in Britain.

2) Please continue to expose the bullying and antisocial behaviour of those members of Mosques who refuse you access. What I saw tonight, reveals what appears to be the dogmatic ignorance of mysoginists who are afraid of change.

3) I was left with the impression that the lady who spoke for the Lancashire Council of Mosques was condescending and arrogant. She appears to be an appeaser, or a puppet for the Mosques she represented, and certainly not somebody who truly believes women have a full role to play in Mosques.

4) Have the Muslim Council of Britain lost their teeth? or are they too afraid of the positive changes that women in Mosques will bring?

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject: women and mosques - channel 4's dispatches

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The participation of women within the Muslim community - and the mosques that symbolise the physical location of that - is a huge issue for Muslims to deal with. It's good to see the profile of the problem being raised. I'm always deeply frustrated and angered by the exclusion of half of the community from the centre of muslim community life. Lack of space for prayer is usually the reason cited for women being excluded from the mosque, but this begs the question: what is the function of the mosque? That is one of the elements of the debate that needs to take place. The other is: what is the role and value of women as Muslims, as Muslim women within the Muslim community, and as Muslim women within the wider community.

The poverty of the debate about these two issues, and especially about their intersection, women in mosques, creates the farcical programme we saw this evening. I don't think either Channel 4 or MPAC have anything to be proud of. The topic that was chosen is one of great interest and depth, and it did not get the lightness of touch or unravelling of complexity that it deserves. The male establishment figures within the Muslim community definitely need to be hauled up, but this programme did nothing to explore what lies behind these traditionally patriarchal values, nor how they vary between different Muslim subcommunities.

You can read more at www.spirit21.co.uk

One thing that was very bad was when the sisters criticised that woman's house - it was backbiting and rather arrogant - and worse still, they said it openly on the camera for the whole nation to hear. I hope they will go back to that house and pray there to make up for any hurt and offence they may have caused to the owner and to the other sisters who are humble enough to pray there.

Also the sisters were rather loud and confrontational - a style that I think is set by Asghar Bukhari and is foolishly taken up by many MPAC people - not only the sisters in the programme but also by many of those who comment and post on this MPAC web site.

I think it would have been wiser if the women had all donned niqabs for the time at least that they were going outside the masjid, in order to make the men feel more comfortable talking to them.

Also I don't think it is the best thing for women just to turn up unexpected like that at jumah as it seemed to cause too much trouble.

Surely it would be wiser to instead get some scholars to talk to the imams. Get their fathers and brothers to make polite requests with the imam (I don't mention the "mosque president" and "mosque concil" as such positions are non-traditional and just an imitation of the hierachy of the churches.)

Saw the programme. Asghar should really know how to communicate with people! In that discussion in the mosque he was the one who started the hostilities with his irate 'The Sun'-like rant against the woman who was 'trying' to put her case across.

i think women should have more access to mosques but it shouldn't be as uncooth as mpack's approach. And not in front of non-muslims. Had the programme been on Islam Channel or something perhaps it would have garnered more favourable support.

“And stay in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former times of ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, O members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.” (Surah al-Ahzab, V: 33)

Similarly, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) in many Hadiths encouraged women to offer their prayers at home:

Sayyida Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “The best Mosque for a woman is the inner part of her home.” (Musnad Ahmad & Tabrani)

Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Do not prevent your womenfolk from attending the Mosque, even though their houses are better for them.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

Sayyida Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “A woman’s prayer in her inner room is better than her prayer in the outside room, and her prayer in the outside room is better than her prayer in the courtyard, and her prayer in the courtyard is better than her prayer in the Mosque.” (Mu’jam of Imam Tabrani)

Indeed, women in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) did attend congregational prayers in the Mosque, and they were not prevented from doing so. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) himself advised against preventing women from attending congregational prayers, for example:

Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “If your wives seek permission from you to go to the Mosque at night, let them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no: 827)

And:

Salim narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “If the wife of any one of you seeks permission to go to the Mosque, he may not prevent her.” (Sahih Muslim, no: 442)

However, the understanding of the various classical and contemporary Hanafi Fuqaha is that women in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) had the unique opportunity of praying behind the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) himself- an act that cannot be paralleled today. Secondly, they used to observe all the requirements of Shariah including those of proper covering (hijab), hence they were not prohibited from attending the congregational prayers. Despite this, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) still advised and encouraged them to pray in their homes.

Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) in his time felt that the concession given to women for attending the congregational prayers in the Mosque is sometimes being misused and could be misused even more in the future. He felt that women were no longer taking care of the Shariah requirements as they used to in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), and he was also aware of the fact that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) advised women to offer their prayers at home. Hence, keeping all of the above in mind, he issued a verdict that women should no longer attend congregational prayers in the Masjid, and this decision of his was collectively accepted by the other Companions. (See: Ayni, Umdat al-Qari, 3/228)

Similarly, Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) used to refuse women entry to the Mosque for Friday prayers and would say: “Go, your homes are better for you.” (Recorded by Imam Tabrani. See: al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 1/190)

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) said:

“If the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was alive to see what women are doing now (in A’isha’s time), he would surely have prevented them from attending the prayers in the Mosque just as the women of Banu Isra’il were prevented.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Just saw the programme and thought id click on to your website to vent some anger, no ..no you deserve it! you have done disservice to the sisters who have been working hard over many years to get the level of access they achieved so far and are actually trying to encourage the communities to increase their awareness of women's issues. and alhamdulillah due to their efforts carried out with sabr,hikma and adaab we do see these facilities around, and they ae becoming more and more common.
But some of the sisters on todays show, what can I say, are more like men look like em too a bit rough,tough and oh yeh like one sista said 'tell em haha what i was like before...rudegirl??'.well it seems to me she aint changed abit! they have no idea what a hijab is, probably think its a piece of cloth to throw over their head, and as for their attitude well thats gone out the window.

also may i point out this issue women having their mahrams present (obligatory) :
1) the meeting at your local take-away was unislamic, men and women sitting at one table next to eachother, is that halal?
2) the sister who said if her father was present he would never have tolerated the abuse she was getting, well where was her mahram?
3) this call for interaction, how much planning has gone into this idea of co-operating in commitees? i hope you dont plan on running it like you tandoori take-away meeting

theres alot of work to be done bros and sisters, and yes women should have access to a mosque where its possible but it must be carried in a halal manner, and maybe it wold be better if a private meeting was arranged with 'leaders' along with your proofs from qur'an and sunnah to really get a responce.

because at the moment it seems to me that by your methods and aims, your trying replace an outdated set of cultural values (which should go) with your brand of modern-westernised liberal values(which also is not islamic. and we should never, be in a position where we as muslims compromise our islam for dunya and all its constantly changing ideologies,values and culture!

Just saw the programme and thought id click on to your website to vent some anger, no ..no you deserve it! you have done disservice to the sisters who have been working hard over many years to get the level of access they achieved so far and are actually trying to encourage the communities to increase their awareness of women's issues. and alhamdulillah due to their efforts carried out with sabr,hikma and adaab we do see these facilities around, and they ae becoming more and more common.
But some of the sisters on todays show, what can I say, are more like men look like em too a bit rough,tough and oh yeh like one sista said 'tell em haha what i was like before...rudegirl??'.well it seems to me she aint changed abit! they have no idea what a hijab is, probably think its a piece of cloth to throw over their head, and as for their attitude well thats gone out the window.

also may i point out this issue women having their mahrams present (obligatory) :
1) the meeting at your local take-away was unislamic, men and women sitting at one table next to eachother, is that halal?
2) the sister who said if her father was present he would never have tolerated the abuse she was getting, well where was her mahram?
3) this call for interaction, how much planning has gone into this idea of co-operating in commitees? i hope you dont plan on running it like you tandoori take-away meeting

theres alot of work to be done bros and sisters, and yes women should have access to a mosque where its possible but it must be carried in a halal manner, and maybe it wold be better if a private meeting was arranged with 'leaders' along with your proofs from qur'an and sunnah to really get a responce.

because at the moment it seems to me that by your methods and aims, your trying replace an outdated set of cultural values (which should go) with your brand of modern-westernised liberal values(which also is not islamic. and we should never, be in a position where we as muslims compromise our islam for dunya and all its constantly changing ideologies,values and culture!

Congratulationsand well done (MPACK)for bringing the issue to the fore front.
Don't be dishearted by some of the comments being made here, some of these people,they think change just happens,change does not come easy.
By just reading some of the comments, that some people have posted, you can tell why are community, is in a state it's in. You have my support.

Great show! what a PR disaster is this what were showing the Islam to the world by doing dirty laundry in public and inviting the media to get involved to make a mockery of Islam. Can we not sit down and talk like civilized people instead of shouting and screaming.And mr Asgar allowed himself to be manipulated and used by the programme makers and we fell for it, all the people should be ashamed for the show they put on today in despatches .What could have been was not, shame on us!

to all the brothers and sisters out there salaam.
tell me how many of you go to the masjids and help in cleaning the carpets toilets traffic duties and so on.let me tell you it is a thankless task but allah is watching so the people who help out at masjids their reward is from allah.as for mpac after watching the dispatches programme they behaved disgracefully and have lost my support that brother with the glasses well what can i say about him he has no adaab i thought when i saw him in other protests that the reason he shouts is because he is passionate but now i know the real reason and that is that he does not have the skill to talk and listen and he has not mastered the art of listing never mind talking.

I agree with women attending Masjid. And in all most the ahelehadith Majids there is facility for women and women attend the daroos.

However it is fard for Muslim men to pray in the Masjid and not for women. If any masjid does not have space for even men to pray then why would a women want to stand in the way of some Muslim doing his fard. Just so that she can do something that is not fard for her.

This is like a situation were you ahve a family who are poor and the daughter wants a fancy dress. SO mummy and dady is expected to give in to her demands for an expensive dress and elave the sons to walk about in the street with their underwear.

Its her right to have a nice dress but finacial realities have to be taken into account

The Muslims are helpers of each other. They help each other in piety. The sisters should be encourging the brothers to attend salah in the masjid. And if the masjid does not have enough space then the sisters should be saying brothers do ur fard and we will stay home and prayer.

Tthe Pophet peace be upon him wanted to burn the house of a Muslim man who did not fajr pray in masjid as it is fard for men to pray in the Masjid.

What would by anology happen to those women who prevent brothers from praying in the Masjid in jammah when they take up the already limited space there?

however at the same time masjids should be encouraged to allow properly dressed women inside the Masjid.

Some modernist hijabi women dont do to Masjid for prayer only but to hunt for men. Others are working for CIA/MI5/6 etc to distort Islam. Like what happene din usa. The same women complained about women not being in the mens area (ie behind the men) and latter turned out their agenda was to be side by side men and lead even men.

Which sister would like to have her husband going to the Masjids rubbing shoudlers and other body parts with men?

wake up!

Shaytaan wants to halt dawah and wants prey on people who do not think before they act.

Maybe many who could have been intersted in Islam will not become Muslim as a result of these brothers and sisters desire to fullfil their ego.

Mpac seems to look for topics to attack the muslim leaders. Muslim women should be praying their salah at home where they get much more reward than they would get if praying at the masjid. what the ladies of Mpac do not realise is that they are listening to Mpac and not realising what major sin they are doing. If you go to makkah or medina, you are only allowed there if you go with a mehram, and if there is a mehram with you and they are ill at the hotel. then these women cannot go to the haram to prayer the salah on thier own. And here are the so called Muslim sisters ( ladies of Mpac) travelling from london to the north with a ghair mehram, wearing a scarf thinking they are doing their duty as a muslim. may allah forgive these ladies and give them hidayat.

Hey J.B., your comment is one of the best i've read on this website for a while. Looks like you've actually learnt from the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and taken the middle way...respect.

I totally disagree with your views on this issue. Hadrat Umar issued the call that women should stay at home and pray for fear of fitna,and if we look today the fitna is much worse. This view was supported by the sahabah who were the best of people.Moreso on your programme you said there are not provisions for the sisters to learn about Islam, well let me tell you that you are so wrong. Here in Leicester there are many classes where women and girls are taught the quraan, addab, muashirat etc and those women who want to learn do come. They also go for tabligh where they can benefit tremendously. We have alimaas here who interact with these sisters and guide them. These sisters can go to these alimas and express there concerns and inshallaha a solution is reached. So before making wide sweeping comments as was made last night, the mpac people should do more research on this.my message is this, that at this time where the ummat is being attacked from everyside we need to unite and not start raising issues which are not fundemental to our success in this world and the hearafter.

Isnt it enough that the disbelievers are mocking islam with the media the niqaab and iraq ect all you hear on the news is about muslims and now our own muslim brothers and sisters shaming their own religon on TV . I am a muslim and to me it looked like disunity imagine what a non-muslim would of thought.That program should of not b put on tv. k its ryt muslim women shud have a place in the mosq but thats totally the worng way 2 appraoch it. your goin AGAINST ISLAM freemixin, arguin with a non-mahram, shouting, raising the voice, wearin makeup,wat happened to modesty ??? ect...Why discrace ur own religon u could have booked an appointment with the chair men and had a decent conversation. i think the choices the ulima make and the scholars are much beta then what we do. were uneducated and dont no the deen. were brainwashed by this western culture. do u no y the mosques say no women allowed???? coz of what we create fitna which is perfectly shown on the programe despatchs arguments and fights. and how do u no the msq was willing to talk 2 u the onli resaon they were bein offecnsive was because you took a camera to their mosq to do mockery of them. were suposed try out best to stand united as a muslim ummah when times are gettin difficult not cause more confliction among ourselves, theres bigger n better issues goin on the muslim world then havin a place for muslim women 2 pray. muslim women are bein raped in their own land. sort that out!!!!! be grateful this country allows us to have soo many mosq. the prophet clearly stated it was better 4 women 2 pray at home if we go out to the msq all the time 2 then our houses will becum like graveyards... jzk

Excellent programme. You really showed the true behavior of the so called Muslim men, who will bow their heads 5 times in a day and yet will come outside of the Mosque and threaten those who are asking for their right to utilise the facilities. Their male arrogance and un-Islamic attitudes to women were shown for all to see. Dare I say it, it was the Asian culture again. It is as if they fear their women may actually end up knowing more than them. Grow up boys, knowledge is for everyone.

I see no reason why the Mosque building should not be used as community centres for the Muslim ladies where they can meet and exchange ideas, as well as seek help from their peers if they need it. As a child I only saw our Churches used on a Sunday but now we see them open as meeting places and nurseries etc. Surely the Muslim ladies would feel more secure using a building which is known to them and quite often is very close to their homes.It may even help those who feel unable to integrate due to a language barrier. The ladies will be able to help one another rather than rely on outside agencies.

Especially in these days of tension due to the goverments' apparant anti-Muslim retoric, I feel that the Mosque should be a haven for all Muslims to support one another

The topic was reasonable however the content was poorly researched and presented in a pathetic and immature manner. Bad luck MPAC, I guess you will lose alot of support and credibility. Sometimes you should put your own publicity interest aside! Better luck next time.

The ladies of Mpac who are trying to gain entry into masjids for their prayer should first understand the issues regarding Pardah,(Hijab) before following their desires of unislamic issues.
Hijâb is generally understood to mean the donning of a veil. This is however incorrect. The scholars of Islam have included the following verses in the discussion of hijâb:

a. "And stay in your houses. And adorn not yourselves with the adornment of the time of Ignorance." (Al Ahzâb: 33)

b. "And when you ask of them (wives of Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) anything, then ask them from behind a curtain." (Al Ahzâb: 53)

c. ".... therefore be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease, aspire (to you) but utter customary speech." (Al Ahzâb: 32)

d. "O Nabi! Tell your wives and daughters and the women of the believers to draw their jilbâbs (a special cloak that covers the entire body) close around them ...."(Al Ahzâb:59)

e. "And they (the women), should not stamp their feet so as to reveal their hidden adornment."(An Nur:31)

From these verses, the following rules of hijâb may be deduced:

1. The lady should at all times remain in her home.

2. If due to any shar'ie necessity (eg. Haj, visiting her parents, visiting the ill etc.) (Ruhul Ma'âni vl.22 pg.6) then she should cover her entire body including the face.

3. She has to communicate with men from behind a curtain.

4. She must not lower her tune when speaking with strange men.

5. She should not walk in such a manner that would attract the attention of men.

6. Intermingling of the sexes is prohibited in Islam.

Besides these, it has also been established from the Hadith that a lady cannot travel further than 77 kilometers without a mahram (any such male relative with whom marriage is prohibited). (Tirmidhi Vl.3 pg.472)

It is clear from the above that the implications of Hijâb are in direct conflict with the duties of leadership. In order to ensure the welfare of his subjects, the leader has to leave his home daily, meet and consult with people (men in particular) and travel to various parts of his country and sometimes to other countries as well. These cannot however be achieved if a lady has to be the ruler and at the same time observe the rules of hijâb. It is on this accord that Shariah has prohibited female leadership.

Thank you. May Allah give you the better understanding, and not follow the ghair mehrams of Mpac, who are leading you astray.

Other than the fleeting thrill of notoriety, what exactly did you hope to achieve by displaying some of the most obnoxious women of our community on national television? If you think that even a single mosque will open up to women as a direct result of programme, I'm sorry, but you are in a state of complete and utter fantasy.

I have prayed at millham street mosque (masjid-e-hidayah) for over 10 years and I am a member of the mosque and take an active part in the day to day running of the mosque. I was present at the time the "peaceful" protest from m-pac took place on the mosque premises. I was still praying my sunnah salat after jummah when all i could hear was shouting from outside- "mpac are here for your muslim brothers and sisters". and "the prophet (saw) said this and we need to act on it. After i went outside I could see that the only reason they were their was to cause trouble. provoking anyone and everyone that disagreed with them. Now I come to the subject of the women of M-pac- all four of them. Four women representing the women of islam. one 20 yr old, one who doesnt even look muslim and annika waheed (with the shades and scarf) who was going on about respect. annika was wearing a skirt that day that showed quite a bit of her legs and she wanted to pray her salaat in the mosque. does the prophet not say that women should cover their legs? does the prophet(pbuh) not say that women should not raise their voices in front of men? does the prophet(pbuh) not say that women should act respectfully around men?
Also i'd like to point out that they made a big issue about being physically abused that day. I can tell you now not one of the women were touched or threatened in any way watsoever. the only person that was threatened was the guy with the glasses who was looking for a fight. he was standing directly outside the mosque doors shouting loudly and then when he was told to move away from the mosque grounds he started getting physical with anyone who would confront it. They were their to get good TV footage and cause a fight and they achieved that purpose.

Regarding the subject of women at millham mosque. Did they in their biased documentary get the opinion of even one woman who is a part of millham mosque? millham mosque has recently bought a £450,000 property solely for the purpose of the education of adult women. They have women scholars teaching them and there is currently more than 100 women students. they also have religious talks from the imam where women can attend the mosque on a regualar basis-not just in ramadhan, But why would m-pac be interested in this?

I sat with my mother and wife watching the documentary yesterday and both them and my sisters said how pathetic they were and how biased the programme was. If m-pac are so hell bent on doing what the prophet (pbuh) taught the muslim ummah then i think they need to go back to the basics of islam and get their islamic education again. they may find other teachings of the prophet that teaches them respect for fellow muslims and how to be a proper muslim.

oh and one last thing. the presenter mentioned at the beginning of the programme that they wanted the mosque's to be more like "community centres". Astaghfirullah. The mosque is the house of allah and is not for socialising, inter mingling of sexes and other activities. the sole purpose of a mosque is worship. Learn the basics before you preach and seek reform.

I am a non-muslim but I watched this program with interest. I have a great deal of sympathy with the muslim sisters and their apparent plight. I hope they eventually find contentment in a reasonable compromise. I emphasis the word 'reasonable'.

However, while watching this program I couldn't help feeling that some of the female participants have aspirations far beyond prayer in the mosque. A hint of feminist revolution in the making.

I have been around for a long time. I have read our history. The sufragette movement, the struggle for women to participate in the running of the country - the right to vote and influence law, the rise of feminism and the weakness of men in meeting their demands.

Look at us now in the so called civilised West. We now have a society where the women OWN the children. Biological fatherhood has no value. They have no parental responsibilities and rights by default. They have been reduced to sperm donors. Homosexuals have a greater chance of adopting a child than heterosexual males.

The only groups who are trying to correct this abbhoration (F4J) are pilloried, slandered and demonised by the press.

Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. They have the lie that is political correctness on their side.

Just be careful.

Unfortunatly i did not see the programme but MPAC should not be slated for not being media suave.

They are relying on donations to ensure they are representive of muslim in the media. However i am pretty sure those who have been critical do not donate to them (financially, time or effort)in order to assist them to build their debating/media skills. It is so easy to be an arm-chair critic!

Well done MPAC for being brave enough to raise sensative issues that we muslims do not like to hear as it is too sensative (may allah reward you all for you intentions)

Salaam to everyone;

First I want to say that the sisters in that film and when they read their namaaz outside a mosque it wasn't valid because, they read it infront of everyone including the males, women are meant to read their namaaz in pardah where no man can see them from this i give you this hadith:

"Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof." [Quran : 24.31]

Allah Hafiz

i cant describe how i felt when i saw the documentary yesterday, more than anything it was anger at the ignorance of the women who confronted the men outside the mosque, causing complete chaos and insulting fellow muslim brothers for something that they are not to blame for. In this day and age for a muslim sister to go to mosque is causing a distraction to men, as women would enter at the same time as men for salaah, use your common sense, think wisely, not like a modern, independant woman fighting for equal rights. you want to pray in a mosque then no one is stopping you. get your people together and make your own mosque. do not attack other mosques and upset people, this is wrong. i am independant but i know that i am a mother, and for me i would pray my salaah at home and be happy knowing that i get the same rewards as a man for praying at home. it has been made easy for us women, not hard. it depends how you see things! there are 72 sect of muslims, you can not point a finger at any muslim brother or sister as only allah knows who is right and who is wrong.

i think that no one should disrespect anyones opinion on this matter, but all we are doing is letting you know, not everyone thinks the same way as the minority and to me mpac you are a minority.
you have done this the wrong way. islam has been attacked by the non-muslims through bombs and terrorists, now it is reaching towards the women in islam! wat next is it going to be our children!
you are helping the non-muslims not stopping them!!!!!!!!

The documentary last night was a good one.

But MPAC as usual let their tempers take over. Shouting is not going to get your opinion heard, a diplomatic approach would be more suited.

As for entry to the mosque, a perfectly valid request. The local mosque where i live, the women of the community threw up a big fuss to be allowed to attend prayers, this was granted, and today after all was done to accomodate them, they no longer attend.

I just hope the good intention of this documentary has not portrayed muslims in yet again, negative light.

All the fighting scenes displayed will only add to the fuel and confirm to non-muslims that muslim are nothing but a bunch of war-mongering people, and we cannot deal with issues without agression.

Salaam,

I watched the Dispatches Programme on Channel 4 last night and I must say that I was very disappointed and felt humiliated by the conduct of the muslim sisters. This is exactly the sort of thing the media and the west want to see happening - divisions within our own communities. What was the point of the whole programme? Is not so that it is not obligatory for women to pray in the mosque? Then why are we making it harder for ourselves?
I was shocked to hear the prophet (pbuh)quoted on so many ocassions in the programme and yet the behaviour that was displayed by the sisters is surley not how our prophet (pbuh) would have behaved!? Why don't we look back in history and learn the true etiquettes of how we should behave from the prophet's (pbuh) wives and our sahabas?
Don't get me wrong, i'm not against mosques facilitating services for women but gate crashing into a small mosque and having a shouting match with the brothers is totally out of order and exactly what the media want to portray. In any form of communication in our daily lives, how you approach something is important and these sisters have approached this in the totally the wrong way. Please brothers and sisters, lets not create divisions and concentrate on issues to unite ourselves and help our brothers and sisters who are in need in other parts of the world.

salaams,

I think MPAC cause was good but the way they went about it was totally wrong, really who has this benifited the muslim community, or the islamophopic cons out there. them! im just waiting for a non muslim to come to me and slander the masjids!!!

yes its been addressed but there are better methods, ISLAM CHANNEL 4 one

Salaam,
I thought the way in which the "team" went about this was completely and utterly wrong. Asghar Bukhari completely went about things the wrong way and shouting matches did not improve the cause in anyway. The cause is a good one but failed to show other examples of where is this working. When they came out of the MCB offices they were minutes away from one of the largest mosques in the UK (ELM) that does provide services and prayer facilities etc for sisters. Why only show the bad, not a balanced view from the producers of the show. See article written by blogistan dot co dot uk which pretty much sums up my feelings as well. Just given the islamophobic lot even more to write about and produce more stupid evidence of lack of PC integration (Well if they can't even integrate within their own community how are they to do so in ours argument). Why just turn up when they could've pre arranged it with the mosques? MPACUK do/did not represent all muslims in the UK and did a terrible job on that programme.Wasalaam.

I am not a Muslim but I have studied Islam and I watched this programme with horror.

As far as I can see it was an appalling display of bad manners of the part of the women seeking entry into the mosque.

If Muslim women want more facilities then why not use local community centers and go about funding Islamic women's centers with prayer room facilities for women and children? That can only be a good thing.

Even I know that men have to pray in mosques if they can and women get more reward from praying at home.

I am sure they are sincere in their own way but to me they are goin about things all wrong.

They seem to think that access to the mosques is all they need to provide a way for Muslim women to come together when in actual fact all they need is to provide the facilities they want for themselves if the mosques cannot accomodate them.

Men and women are not supposed to mix in Islam and land is expensive - keeping them separate would be hard in the small local mosques of St Albans in Hertfordshire, for example, - but I know that there are women's Muslim groups throughout the town and they have recently established a women's center next to the tiny mosque on Hatfield road.

This seems a more sensible way to go to me and I wish all Muslims luck in getting (and earning) the respect and understanding of their fellow man. We aren't all rejoicing in the public humiliation and bad-mouthing that you are getting and I certainly wish you all well.

Aslamaliakum,
First of all I want to praise you in what you are trying to do.

However I think the method you have adopted is very aggresive and is casuing more friction than good, and I am very dissapointed in MPAC in the apprach they took.

I think you missed out some vital people in your campaign, You did not consult the women in the area. If you had gained their support instead of just going into the mosque and demanding the right to pray you my have been more successful as there would have been more pressure on them to act.

I am sure you are well aware of how sensitive an issue this is and I can understand the MPAC girls frustation but I do think you would get more positive results if you took a softly softly approach.

I totally agree that women should be allowed into any mosque to pray if they want to, however some Mosques just don't have the space or money to build a new one and maybe you should also focus on that.

Another point I would like to make is the MPAC women I believe and your view may well differ but they should not have been speaking to Ghar Muharamm. I think it would have been better for them to communicate with the women of the area, and let the men go and distribute the leaflets. The men are more likely to repond more positivley to MPAC's male members and they could have set the foundations for more good work to take place.

You should look at each mosque differently and decide the right approach.

I'm not saying go hide away but why agitate and cause a fight when you can take another approach and get the same result.

Your approach did Sully Islam and However wrong the brothers were in their response it was made worse by brawling in public and infront of a camera. I am so deeply ashamed and insulted by your actions. You have added to the rest of the negative stimga about muslims at a time when we need to unite.

I urge you to change your approach and think of the Greater Good.

I hope you listen to this and May Allah SWT Bless you and guide you in this battle but please think about your actions more carefully.

That was a interesting documentary.

Personally I think until the Bratheries that run the Mosques do not get this humiliating treatment I don't think they will change.

Its been 20 years since they set up these Mosques and they haven't thought to accomodate women?

And some clowns above say, be patient. Imagine someone saying that to the suffragetes.

Get your patience and stick it. I predict a huge change in Mosques after this documentary.

Congratulations MPAC

I am not a Muslim, and was very interested in last night's programme. Personally, I thought it presented Islam in a positive way - yes, there was some appalling behaviour from men in the programme, dismissing the group out of hand in a most disrespectful way, but I was delighted to see the women pushing ahead for the rights they clearly have, and that Muslim women in Britain do want to get together and pray and socialise. As an outsider, it seems clear to me that until Muslim women become part of the wider community, speak English, and become visible, Islam will always be seen as a threat, and a misogynistic religion. The women campaigners were fantastic, and society needs more strong, visible, vocal Muslim women.

I wish the campaign the best of luck.

Salaam
I watched dispatches programme last night and felt very angry and upset at the way the sisters portrayed themselves.
THANKS ALOT MPAC you have managed to fuel the fire of Islamaphobia!!! , i really don't know what you have achieved by going to the media to address this issue which could be dicussed diplomatically under a roof behind closed doors rather than a slangin match out in the open to the whole of the uk population.
I am all for women having facilities to attend the mosques but this was a completely wrong approach it just will create negative media for Islam in general at a completley wrong time.

The defenders of the zoo animals are out pretending to defend the ummah. If they cared so much why havent they called the mosque - maybe its because the mosque would beat them up, so they com on the mpac site ...its easier o hold mpac accountable. hmmmm

Did the fall of the muslim empire in Spain not open the eyes of the muslims.
Islam has since been on a downer and it is getting worse.
Palestinians, Kashmiris, Iraqees, Afghanees being murrdered daily.
Our Wonderful Propher peace and blessings be upon him being attacked. Islam is being attacked.

Why? Beacuse we do not have the Youth and people who can defend the Ummah.

Why? because the very women in society who suppose to be bringing up the defenders of Islam are shun from muslim society. They have no say in muslim community. They are left at home to do cooking and cleaning and not given the islamic knowledge.
A few do go out and get islamic knowledge but they then just get married have kids and just become zombies.


How ironic. Everybody is criticising MPAC for its methods and we should have had more hayaah and shame and should've made dialogues.

Islam is crumbling around you. Islam dn Muslims are being attacked left right and centre. In Media, Politically and Violently across teh world.

do you really think there is time for dialogue and chit chat. Change is needed now, today.
And if MPACs method means exposing bad muslims to the world and it means shouting and screaming and not going the diplomatic way ie " the decent mans way" then I swear by Allah, Allah will forgive MPAC for taking this approach.
As I know they will make a change.


Great Job MPAC.

PR DISASTER what a show ! it was PR disaster for the muslim ummah at large especially at the time of demonising of Muslims happens everyday it could have been handled much better by the mosque and and Also by MPACUK MR ASGHAR this programme has worked in the advantage of the media who is constantly trying new ways of demonising Muslim we should be ashamed of our selfs.What could have been was not.

i belive men are selfish people women only want respect and by giving them the right to go in mosque and prey that is goof enough, i saw the proggramme n it was horrible the way young girls were trated infron of the mosqu jus because of there gender even the last prophet aloud women to prey in mosques men dominating and causign this to happen

from lulu

i think it was quite bad, the way the sisters and the brothers were mixing.

MPAC - stick to politics - you are barking up the wrong tree - in fact you have lost a lot of respect in the way you have represented yourselves on this issue. May Allah give us all guidance....Aameen

go and eat some more CURRY you fatties

salams and peace to everybody posting comments here.

It's clear that there are huge variety of opinions about the issue of women and mosques. It is unlikely that suddenly we will all agree and live happily ever after. That is because the Muslim community is composed of many different kinds of people with many different opinions.

Instead of just posting comments about our own opinions and how each of us is right, how is everyone going to make sure we all live together and work together?

We know the problems, what are the answers?

Some people (rightly or wrongly) believe that women do not or should not go to the mosque. They base their opinions on the Islamic sources. Some people (rightly or wrongly) believe that women should make up their 50% of the mosque constituency. They base their opinions on the Islamic sources.

How do we create a dialogue and a way forward?

Shouting louder is not a solution.

www.spirit21.co.uk

Congratulations MPAC you have done it again! You have single handed made Islam look like a backward and discriminatory religion. You have aired a “cultural” anomaly on national television which doesn’t really have anything to do with the fundamental teachings of Islam. While watching the program I was cringing and wondering what the non-Muslims must be making of this.
You have set back this cause and done damage which will take years to repair. Not to mention to damage to the image of practicing Muslims in the eyes of weak Muslims and the non-believers. This is immeasurable! Its ignorant, self centred people who cause the ummah more damage than the enemies of islam. You should hang your heads in shame!

I am all for women attending and having a role to play in the running of the Mosques and feel they have a very valuable contribution to the community, but the way you went about it was utterly deplorable. The “sisters” that you were rallying around were hostile, abrasive and so far from the example of Ummul momeneen and the examples set by the true believers, that it was unreal.

Surely the priority here is to get the women folk, and indeed all Muslims to start praying all their salaat? Or is this your miracle cure for this? Suddenly opening the mosques will reform the nation? There are many mosques open to the women in my home town, some of which are treated as community centres and places to get together! Purely because there is ignorance and a lack of respect for the places of worship.

In the current climate I personally feel that women would be better served to pray at home and be a source of positive guidance for the children who will learn directly from them, as well as become a source of noor for the home. That is not to say that women folk should be forcefully prevented from attending the mosque, where appropriate provision is made and benefits are evident. Otherwise you are opening the gates to great fitnah!

Which interpretation of Islam says you should travel, and meet with none-mahram women? Or is that your interpretation of Islam for the 21st century British Islam?
And which interpretation of the Quran says you should cover your hair, but wear tight fitting tops and hang around outside a mosque and stick your self in the face of men to make a point? I was half expecting you lot to have a group hug!

As for the Male member of the group. (yes the one with the glasses and not a single sign of the beloved prophets sunnats on his body!).I strongly recommend you read the seerat of our beloved prophet (SA). You were rude, obstructive, hostile, arrogant and self righteous in your approach to this. You need a serious lesson in AKHLAAK, is this how a Muslims should conduct them self? Shout over people, point and argue and go into a strop when their point isn’t heard?

This is yet another example of MPAC’s zeel of youth and ignorance combined to make a lethal cocktail of misguided points while causing untold damage to the ummat!

Its time for you to rethink things and do some serious towba!

Thank you for this programme. The issue is far more important than the fuss about veils. I have just returned from nearly three years in Afghanistan where I was a gender officer for a UN organisation. About a year ago the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Haj anounced that women could go into mosques and mosques should make provision for them. About a month after the then Minister of Women's Affairs, Dr.Masouda Jalal, entered a main mosque with 40 women in kabul for Friday prayers and was welcomed by the chairman of the mosque and the men. It is sad that women are allowed into mosques in Afghanistan while not in the UK.

It is important that it is Muslim men and women working to change attitudes. It shows Muslim women in a different light. Muslim men hide behind Islam to maintain power.

Assalamualykum Wr Wb

Firstly I’d like 2 say that I have no objections in women going to pray at a masjid if they want to, but the way you MPACK people went out about getting your message out, you should be ashamed of yourselves, you guys are like just another deviant group who are giving Muslim’s a bad name. Sisters who were handing out leaflets to Muslim brothers after they finished their prayer was wrong in terms of Islam. In Islam where does it say that a woman can go and interact with a man to get her point across????

Also a point that many people have already made is that our loved prophet said that it’s better for a woman to pray at home than a Masjid, it’s more obligatory for a man to pray in the Mosque. The other thing is that more Muslim’s including men and women have come closer to their deen in the last past few years, when Masjids were made in the past, more men went than women, and women should understand that some Masjids that might find it hard to accommodate women due to financial reasons.

The leader, manager or boss of MPACK needs a Islamic lesson on how to conduct yourself in public, if he’s going to go and try doing something for the Muslim Ummah, he need’s to look the part of a Muslim, NOT A RUDE BOY!!!! That Bluetooth he’s got hanging in his ear whilst talking to someone just looks plan ignorant, and shouting at a sister who’s older than him just gives Muslims a bad name.

MPACK are a disgrace to this Ummah and they need to be shut down.

IF YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE UMMAH, DON’T DO ANYTHING AT ALL YOU BUNCH OF HOOLIGONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Assalamualykum Wr WbFirstly I’d like 2 say that I have no objections in women going to pray at a masjid if they want to, but the way you MPACK people went out about getting your message out, you should be ashamed of yourselves, you guys are like just another deviant group who are giving Muslim’s a bad name. Sisters who were handing out leaflets to Muslim brothers after they finished their prayer was wrong in terms of Islam. In Islam where does it say that a woman can go and interact with a man to get her point across????Also a point that many people have already made is that our loved prophet said that it’s better for a woman to pray at home than a Masjid, it’s more obligatory for a man to pray in the Mosque. The other thing is that more Muslim’s including men and women have come closer to their deen in the last past few years, when Masjids were made in the past, more men went than women, and women should understand that some Masjids that might find it hard to accommodate women due to financial reasons.The leader, manager or boss of MPACK needs a Islamic lesson on how to conduct yourself in public, if he’s going to go and try doing something for the Muslim Ummah, he need’s to look the part of a Muslim, NOT A RUDE BOY!!!! That Bluetooth he’s got hanging in his ear whilst talking to someone just looks plan ignorant, and shouting at a sister who’s older than him just gives Muslims a bad name.MPACK are a disgrace to this Ummah and they need to be shut down.IF YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE UMMAH, DON’T DO ANYTHING AT ALL YOU BUNCH OF HOOLIGONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

During the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), women used to attend
the Musjid. Despite this, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) still
encouraged women to perform their Salaat in the privacy of their homes.
However, he did not prevent them from attending the Musjid. This was so
because people of those days were strong in faith and staunch followers of
Deen. There was no immodesty and shamelessness among the women in the time
of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). they knew and understood the
commandments of Allah Ta'ala and were very particular in fulfilling the
obligations of the Shari'ah. Despite all this, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) is reported to have said that the best place for a woman to
perform her Salat is in the seclusion of her home. (Musnad Ahmad vol.6
pg.297)

However, we find that later on, during the time of the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu
Anhum), women were directly prevented from attending the Musjid due to
various reasons. This was in no way a conflicting view to that of Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) for the simple reason that those factors, on
the basis of which the Sahaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) laid down this directive
were such factors which were not prevalent in the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam). In short, the factors were the fear of evil and
corruption. It was for this very same reason that Hadhrat Aaisha
(Radhiallaahu Anha) was reported to have said that if the Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) were to witness the conditions around which
women attend the Musjid in our times, he would have certainly prohibited it.
(Bukhari vol.1 pg.120)

When this is what Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) says with regards to
women attending the Musjid in her time where evil and corruption were far
lesser than in our times, what will it be like today? It is for this reason
that the Ulama strictly prohibit women from attending the Musjid.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

I am not a muslim, but i think that m pac are inspiration to all women not just women of Islam. I totally support your campaign and i think that the programme presented muslims very well. I think that the men at the mosque should be ashamed at themselves for the way they dismissed issue and the way in which they treated m pac, it just proves that mpac should get out there and fight for what they belive in and fight against such sexism!
Good luck with everything.

I would like to commend MPAC and the sisters for raising this issue. Although I think your style was confrontational and has clearly been seen as disrespectful in a cultural sense - this is important to take into consideration. Your intention is the most important thing and Allah subhana wa tala knows this. I was disgusted by the way you were treated but not surprised. As a revert if I can not attend the masjid how can I engage in the muslim community?

I hope that I have interpreted what you are trying to do correctly but as everyone knows it is better for a woman to pray at home but if she wishes to go to the masjid she should not be stopped. In this day where women go to work or are studying how can you perform your salah unless there is a masjid or area of some sort to pray in? Do not complicate things with schools of thought - it is simple i want to pray i can not get home in time - let me go to the masjid. In respect with Jummah this is not fard if the masjid is big enough then fine let women in but i think prioritsation needs to be done here. Do not let the shaitan hijack your campaign and overstep the bounds of islam - i am sure you will not do this.

I have personally prayed in several masjids in arabia and I have never once not been accomodated, whether it was my father in law escorting me to the back of the masjid to offer my salah behind him or when they have put up a corner in literally the corner of the room - this is not a big issue if we address it in the correct islamic way, it is time to put culture and pride away, do not make a bigger issue of this than it is. Subhana Allah I am very happy that the importance of prayer is being highlighted to the non muslims via this program.

The bigger picture is that women are part of this community and must be allowed to contribute to it in any way. Remember that Aisha (ra) taught the men of the time about Islam - she was respected for who she was and what she knew. Women today need to be educated in Islam and know their rights.

Everyday wearing my hijab makes me a symbol of Islam this is a big responsibility this should not be taken lightly this goes for ALL muslims remember the Muhammad's (saw) teachings in particular his characteristics and adab (manners) speaking in this meeting you let shaytan get you angry and start shouting - this is not acceptable.

I would like to say to all the people that have commented on this site remember that whether you agree or disagree with MPACs campaign before you start quoting quran and sunnah do not start personally attacking any of our muslim brothers and sisters because it is like eating their dead flesh - nor can you make the judgement that their prayers will not be excepted - Allah is the only judge, if you have criticism put it constructively.

I'm sure i saw a differnt documentary from the ones you guys saw. I saw muslims trying to make a change against backward, misguided elders and vulnerable sisters and mothers who needed the mosque to protect them being ignored,

MPAC not only raised this issue it took the brave step of challenging the powerful muslim community elders and by the reading these comments, the faithless masses.

MPAC you guys have never feared to walk the road less travelled and that has never won you friends or praise.

When those poor sisters were forced to read Namaz with a baby on the side of road in front of a Mosque, the shame isnt on MPAC its on the Mosque.

For all of those who didnt like the way the sisters handled it, i didnt see anything other then MPAC trying to make a difference and being attacked and bullied at every step. how would you react?

well done MPAC the path of progress will always be hindered by the ignorant. I wish some of those who profess to have Islamic Abad would answer the important question of why should a sister even have to ask to pray in a mosque? well the answer is that you guys have let it happen and now blame MPAC for fighting against this injustice.

well done MPAC may Allah bless and protect you.

Aslm alkm...

I'm sorry you felt this was the only way forward. One comment which was made by a sister who is a community worker already working in the Blackburn area really struck a chord, how these sisters had gone in and disturbed everything she had been working for LONG TERM. May Allah guide and enlighten. Amin.

POST THIS!
Are you that desperate for publicity?
Well done MPAC on doing the media's job in embarrassing and targeting Muslims in a negative way.
MPACSisters, do you know anything about Balfour mosque - one of the mosques you targeted?
Did you know that from the ages of five onwards, girls at Balfour mosque are taught the Quran and general Islamic studies by elder sisters who are on the mosque's payroll, some of the teachers are actually Hafiz of the Quran?
Why could you not have highlighted this on the programme? Why could you not have approached the mosque off camera?
I think your organisation have scored an own goal with this one!

Salam , Well done, you have assisted another muslim sister (Ms T.Ahmad the presenter) in acheiving promotion in the media world at the cost of Islam.

The documentary only showed that still despite living in the western country Muslims behave like uneducated people who are unable to discuss things in a civilised manner.

I accept that mosques should have some form of facilties for women, but this is not a must by islam. Do not try and use western ideas of feminism and insert this into Islam, remember Islam was the first and only religion to give women its due rights. If studied accurately women actually have more rights in Islam than men. Do not tackle Cultural issues whilst using Islam as a front.

Whilst the brother with the glasses and the sisters were quick to quote the prophet s.a.w , you embrassed yourselves by shouting and arguing (especially in the month of Ramadhan) unlike the prophet and his companions.

Rather than putting a case forward you have allowed with the help of Ms Ahmad to show Islam once again as a sexist and militant religion. Well done.

There are over 75 mosques in Ilford and approximatley 35 have female facilites, you did'nt say much about those? Why?
The reasearch for this program was seriouly lacking or the presenter chose to show the cultural asspects of the religion as opposed to the Islamic stance on the subject.

In the U.K most mosques started off as houses so space was and always will be a problem, those mosques which have been purpose built do have those facilities for women, seperate entrances/toilets/wudu areas, you did not show this.

why dont you as MPAC set up centres for women and men to call; dealing with domestic violence and child advice lines instead, rather than waste your energy arguing with non mahram men outside mosques for the world to see. Surely this is against Islamic etiquettes.

Reading one strong Hadith can not negate the other strong Ahadith which explain the virtues for women praying at home.

At the end of the day it is a greater responsiblilty for men to pray at the mosque than women. If women try and take the mens space to pray what will happen to the Muslim Ummah?

You have allowed yourself to be used by the western media at the hands of a muslim presenter! Here it starts.

W/Salaam

I disagree with most of the programmes content, due to a number of reasons. Firstly the title of the programme 'Women Only Jihad'. The programme used the word jihad, were now majority of non-muslims do not understand this word, for sure has made them more confused and probably 'scared'. Other major point is using the media. The media has always been the main friction amongst the muslim community. Why did you not air it via a muslim channel, eg islam channel, So this could be a muslim issue and be sorted out by us (muslim)
We all know woman in islam have the best highest status, comparing it to other communites, they have the rights to have there own business etc. So i agree the muslim woman should go to the mosque but only for the reason of educating and if a masjid can accomodate segragtion, then sisters should prayer and worship. In regards to be a Imam (leader), i suggest you all look at the history of islam and u will notice their was not much interms of women leaders.

Jus another quick comment, The presenter of the programme was muslim, why did she not observe the islamic dress code, and why did the other sisters not notice this???

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahI watched this program last night and was exteremely disappointed with what i saw - yes we all know that women are allowed in the masjid and unfortunately there are some masjids who dont allow that, but why sisters go there argue protest, cause a scene lose respect??!! I was embarressed by the behaviour you showed. Just go to another masjid! And then to make things worse you invite channel 4 to come and film - as if islam isnt in the spotlight enough already! The fact is there are 100s of masjids in the uk and at least 80% of them have womens areas and activties, but now you have allowed the media to show and highlight the minority, which is what they love to do! I am advising you as your sister in islam stop protesting find another masjid and starting doing things that will portray a positive message about islam and more importantly please Allaah.

Congratulations for showing your deen as being backwards, sexist and ignorant. I hope you achieved your objectives.

All you guys did was give ammunition to the people who dislike Islam and play into their hands. At a time of political tension and bad press about Islam you have just added to it.

I think you guys need to re-educate yourselves on your proirities and your deen, hold regular circles with a scholar to teach you guys about Islam and character.

I have read the other comments and I noticed that the majority were in the negative. I hope you guys learn from this and do not repeat such a mistake again.

If the sisters really want to give back to the community and be a part of the masjids then I suggest they go to the many masjids across Britain which have access to women and try to join their team, because it is better to work united and as one body. Also there are many ways to give back to the community and be a part of it, use your heads a little and i'm sure you'll think of them.

I wish you guys the best and pray Allah guides you to what is better. But sisters on the show, i'm sure your hearts are in the right place but please sort yoursleves out and educate yourselves on the deen, without the emotions and aggresiveness, we are muslimahs and we should take our example from the Sunnah and the female companions.

Thank you MPAC for highlighting this issue. I know of masjids where pressure has been put upon the ‘committees’ to allow women to enter and pray and this has had zero impact. What gives any man the right to refuse entry to a fellow muslim who wishes to offer her prayers to Allah? The fact that it’s not obligatory for a women to offer prayers in a masjid does not give anyone the right to take that choice away. This status quo should never have been allowed and judging by some of the emails here there is a very long way to go.

A masjid is a house of Allah and every muslim should be able to walk in and offer their prayers. They are not hang out places for Pakistani men as sadly they seem to be in some northern towns.

As a convert to Islam, I was horrified to see the behaviour of some of the Moslem men when leaving the Masjid. Many of the stereotypical views Westerners have of Moslems were played out on the programme and reinforced - bigorty, ignorance, intolerance and a predisposition for violence - well done!

I recently visited a Shia Moslem Masjid with a Shia brother who is a friend of mine - I saw modestly dressed Moslem sisters entering the Masjid at the time of Juma from their own seperate entrance - they prayed namaz in congreation in their own seperate prayer hall - they had their own sepearte ablution facilities - there was even CCT so they could hear and see the Imam for the Friday Khutbah - which was in English and at the end of prayers there was a weekly newsletter distributed to all informing everyone of events at the Mosque, beautiful verses from the Qu'ran and other updates including details of seperate venues and times of sporting events arranged for brothers and sisters and even notice of computer classes for everyone in their library (at different times).

We claim to follow the Sunnah of the Prophe - while in reality all we many of us do we blindly continue to follow what the elders did in the subcontinent and parrot what they say.

Assalamu Alaikum.

I have taken an avid interest in feminism, women’s rights etc. since I was the age of 18 (I am now 34, male), partly in response to aggravation I received after the Salman Rushdie affair, where I was taunted by my friends that Islam was an intolerant religion and oppressive to women. Yes I even took a course on ‘Women & Society’ module during my degree at university. That is why I took an interest in the documentary last night. I have divided my response into 3 parts: 1) Areas of Agreement, 2) Areas of Disagreement and 3) The Way forward:

1. Areas of Agreement:

- I agree that the behaviour of the brothers at the mosques, who are meant to be the leading lights of the community and an exemplary example of Islamic behaviour failed the Islamic decency test badly. Their rude behaviour was uncalled for and they didn’t have to lose their temper on a group of women. What was most hysterical in a sad was the typical Asian shouting match we witness between ‘bud bud ding dings’. In fact it was a disgrace. The brothers should apologise to the sisters

- No one can dispute that if women want to go to the mosque NO ONE can prevent them. This is a statement of the Prophet (S). What he says goes and no one has the right to overturn his ruling. Those who disagree should ask themselves, if women go to the mosque (properly attired according to Quran and Sunnah) to pray are they sinning or will Allah reward them? If the answer is ‘sinning’, then why?

- I also agree that the issue of women in mosques goes beyond praying and should include social activities that would benefit society. We must not forget that men used to learn from Aishah (R) and she was one of the great scholars of Islam. This was done with the barrier in place so that men could not see Aishah (R) but still benefited. So thanks to MPAC in highlighting this issues which seriously need to be debated within the Muslim community.

2. Areas of Disagreement:

- Generally, the MPAC sisters did hold their temper which is to their credit but did seem confrontational in their approach with men. It did seem like they were out for a fight, which wasn’t surprising as one of the sisters did describe herself as an ex-rude girl. I would be very sceptical of washing dirty laundry in public.

- As I posed a question to the women-in the-mosque opposers above, I now put a similar question to the MPAC sisters. Given the circumstances where many mosques are too small to fit everyone in, let’s now have a hypothetical (yet realistic) situation where it is Jummah time. Now you and I agree that Jummah is compulsory for men and voluntary for women. If the space is such that the compound is overflowing with men, and women voluntarily stayed at home in order to give their space to men so that they can fulfil a compulsory act, will Allah reward you or punish you? If your answer is ‘reward’, then would you still push for women to attend Jummah prayers? If so, why? I hope sisters can see that this has nothing to do with male-female dynamics but a simple problem of logistics within tight constraints. If mosques are larger and can hold more people then this issue would be moot. I am only referring to mosques with spacial constraints.

- Now the issue goes beyond prayer and the perception is that the MPAC sisters are challenging the patriarchal organisation of mosque committees. I do visit mosques in Hounslow and Regents Park. I have seen women participate in social activities, education programmes and there had been no issues regarding women’s participations. Furthermore, the President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a woman… for some reason that wasn’t mentioned. Lest I forget, women have full participation in prayers, social activities, education by women scholars in Saudi Arabia. I have visited the mosque in Madinah and Makkah and no women are barred. It would have been worthwhile for the programme makers to focus on what is going right in other mosques in order to achieve a balanced outlook.

- If the issue goes beyond praying and social activities and into the realm of gender dynamics and power politics this is where I would part ways with the MPAC sisters. If the idea is to challenge the patriarchal set-up in society, then this would go beyond Islam and beyond the scope of my response. Briefly, I contend that all community structures in whichever country and whatever religion and belief, are patriarchal by nature. This is how our Creator made us. What do I mean by patriarchy? I mean that in a set-up of men and women, men would take a leading role whether it is family or leading a nation. This does not negate in anyway the contribution that women make in raising and managing families and educating children. We all agree that men and women are equal. Unfortunately, ‘Equality’ has been confused with ‘Identicality’. Men and women are not identical, and that is why their biological set-up translates into distinctive roles for either gender. Although feminists themselves may reject the biological/hormonal influence on humanity that defines and directs ‘womanhood’ and ‘manhood’, the reality is that when attempts were made in the Soviet Union and a Kibbutz (in Israel) to socially engineer men and women to perform exactly the same tasks, the result was a rebound and the gender difference in roles was more magnified than the contemporary society outside. This means that the feminist explanation of patriarchy as an amalgamation of thousands of years of sociological conditioning is void. Biology plays a significant role, which should not surprise Muslims or any other faiths as we know that God created us this way. So if the MPAC sisters were trying to challenge patriarchy in society, then I would love to take this debate further.

3) The Way forward:

What’s done is done. The programme has been aired, people have shared opinions, and now the community needs to move forward as one voice.

1. The male committee members in all mosques must make provisions for sisters, however small the mosque is
2. Sisters are welcome to give up their space during Jummah for their brothers and pray at home if space is constrained. Surely the sisters won’t be punished for that?
3. The mosque should be a place of gathering of men and women (adhering to the rules of clothing and mixing) and a centre where people can turn to in times of need, whether it is domestic violence, drugs, abuse etc. the MCB and MPAC must work together to make sure this happens…fast.
4. Words have been exchanged. Opinions have been shared. Emotional bullets have been fired. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION.

Hasan Ali Imam
Ex-Parliamentary Candidate

The right for women to pray at mosques is one that exists, but although the cause was just, the methodology and research employed in the program was sadly overly damaging to the muslim community. The people involved in the program targeted a small minority of the muslim community where mosques do not or are not able to permit women to enter the mosque premises. The attitude of all of those fighting for this cause was equally as dissapointing and against islamic ettiquette as the backward minded minority. Many of the women and men involved resorted to screaming and shouting over everyone else to put across a point that would have appeared more respectable had it been presented in a manner that was consistent with their desire to establish peace, harmony and equality. If all those involved were truly eager to encourage the establishment of mosques promoting the involvement of women, then surely a more positive and encouring approch would have been successful. Organisers failed to properly highlight the many mosques that were successfully allowng for the involvement of women. Also, no acknowledgement was made to those women already working for women's permittance into the mosque in question. During one discussion, one woman tried to point out that the short burst of agression employed by those involved in the program had seriously damaged the progress made by herself and those alongside her. Unfortunately, her freedom to speak was rudely interrupted by the over excited and eager to famous Mr Asghar Bukhari, who had the nerve to speak about respect, even with his bluetooth constantly hanging from his ear. His criticism of the agressive attitude of the men from the mosque should really have been directed at himself and his decision to drown out the voice of the woman at the meenting with his own rantings and ravings. It is unfortunate that there remain those people who still hold on to beliefs that hold no islamic value, and no doubt i and every educated muslim will do everything they can to ensure that women are treated as God has given them the right to be. But screaming and shouting in the name of peace, harmony and equality is unwise by any standard that exists today. God in his infinite knowledge has knowledge of the greater burden on woman to journey long or short distances, and for this he has said that there is more reward for a woman who fulfills her prayers at home. It is essential for everyone with a genuine interest in this and related topic to join in a united attempt to educate, inform and encourage change where necessary, and to support and promote organisations and people that are a shining example of what we aim to bring about. We must be careful not to unite in an attempt to attack the ignorant and not try to make them part of our success.

The right for women to pray at mosques is one that exists, but although the cause was just, the methodology and research employed in the program was sadly overly damaging to the muslim community. The people involved in the program targeted a small minority of the muslim community where mosques do not or are not able to permit women to enter the mosque premises. The attitude of all of those fighting for this cause was equally as dissapointing and against islamic ettiquette as the backward minded minority. Many of the women and men involved resorted to screaming and shouting over everyone else to put across a point that would have appeared more respectable had it been presented in a manner that was consistent with their desire to establish peace, harmony and equality. If all those involved were truly eager to encourage the establishment of mosques promoting the involvement of women, then surely a more positive and encouring approch would have been successful. Organisers failed to properly highlight the many mosques that were successfully allowng for the involvement of women. Also, no acknowledgement was made to those women already working for women's permittance into the mosque in question. During one discussion, one woman tried to point out that the short burst of agression employed by those involved in the program had seriously damaged the progress made by herself and those alongside her. Unfortunately, her freedom to speak was rudely interrupted by the over excited and eager to famous Mr Asghar Bukhari, who had the nerve to speak about respect, even with his bluetooth constantly hanging from his ear. His criticism of the agressive attitude of the men from the mosque should really have been directed at himself and his decision to drown out the voice of the woman at the meenting with his own rantings and ravings. It is unfortunate that there remain those people who still hold on to beliefs that hold no islamic value, and no doubt i and every educated muslim will do everything they can to ensure that women are treated as God has given them the right to be. But screaming and shouting in the name of peace, harmony and equality is unwise by any standard that exists today. God in his infinite knowledge has knowledge of the greater burden on woman to journey long or short distances, and for this he has said that there is more reward for a woman who fulfills her prayers at home. It is essential for everyone with a genuine interest in this and related topic to join in a united attempt to educate, inform and encourage change where necessary, and to support and promote organisations and people that are a shining example of what we aim to bring about. We must be careful not to unite in an attempt to attack the ignorant and not try to make them part of our success.

Discrace, Discrace, Discrace !

Close down your site, sack your 'CEO', send the money back to Downing Street.

Dont fuel the hatred.

Asalamualykum Wr Wb.

Mashallah, well done mpac making us Muslims look like complete a sexist ummah. My sister, Mother and Wife go to a Masjid round the cornor from me, and some sisters i know go to the Masjids 2, they have no problem.
The few Masjids that you guys did pick, are the few that didn't accomidate women in the past because men were the one's going to the Masjid more often than women. Women have only started going to the Masjid recently over the past 2/3years due to more islamic awareness and highlighted media attension of the Islamic world that has woken up alot of sleeping Muslim brothers and sisters.
This issue could have been resolved within the Muslim community but no, you had to highlight this minor issue to the whole nation. talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill!!!
You guys to pick on an issue that will help the Muslim ummah not destroy the image of Islam which is already not in good light.
May Allah guide you and me....

This is just cynical opportunism from MPAC. I would like to remind them that any publicity is not good publicity - especially if it makes our community look stupid.

Many of us have worked for women to have greater access to mosques in a more constructive way. Many were pointing out the failings of mosques regarding women, youth and politics way before MPAC.

DON'T PUT YOURSELVES ABOVE OUR COLLECTIVE INTEREST !

MPAC you guys rock, the only reason why these people are rallying against you is because you have shaken their world of ignorance.

you guys are making a difference and will help teh Muslim ummah awake and revert to Islam rather then the state of jahliya theu are currently in.

the worst are the we agree with women but your methods sucked ones, well what i saw was the mosques that sucked and you girls kept your temper. these people will change and when they have they won't give you credit or reward. that is from Allah.

its ironic that the ones you are protecting are the ones who are attacking you. MPAC thanks fo rexpsoing these mosques and thanks for letting these idiots expose themselves.

makes you think dosnet it, they write their bigoted stuff and i bet they will blame you for making them look bad.

One thing, I wish the programme and MPAC had emphasised, and that is that the whole issue is tied in with the PakistanI/Sub-continent community in particular. It would have been a great wake-up call to Pakistanis to sort out their Masjids, and to stop giving the rest of the Muslims such a bad name.

A lot of the bad press we get is because of Pakistani backwardness where Maulanas and committee members want to hold on to their power, dangerous and backward cultural rituals and customs and are in fact clueless about the rights and privileges that Islam provides its followers. Clarity on the fact that it is a cultural issue rather than a religious one, would have helped Muslims and non-muslims alike to see why there is such a mess.

I understand everyone's disappointment with the airtime given to Muslims squabbling on national television. And yes, it is an embarrassment for our community; but I do believe, enough is enough and we need a short sharp shock to sort out our community. Little time is left, and we need to look inwardly and act fast, instead of remonstrating about how awful it looks to the western media.

The west already has a negative image of Muslims, this is not going to make things worse, rather, it proves that muslims are making positive changes to improve conditions. and may be embarrassment will help us move faster. And we must not live in the clouds; our community is hugely divided and exposing the reality is a good thing for everyone. At least it shows that not all Muslims are the same and that we do have disparate thoughts, opinions, ideologies, and that western notion that all Muslims should be held responsible for 9/11 and 7/7 is a myth, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME AND THE MEDIA SHOULD KNOW THAT AND WE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

Just take an example of an Muslim of Arab or Iranian heritage brought up here is not going to understand why a muslim would consult DM Digital's Peer Saab and such hocus pocus for his personal problems and dilemmas, but a Muslim immigrant from Azad Kashmir might. Why doesn't Islam channel show the kind of 'islamic' programmes as shown on DM Digital? It's because the majority of Pakistani Muslims follow a particularly Pakistani cultural brand of Islam which is a million miles away from Arab Islam or British Islam. We need to face up to that and address that fairly and squarely to the Pakistani community.

As salaamu alaikum

Firstly, I would like to point out that I am also all for sisters to have the right to go to the masjid. However, the fact that women are not allowed in the masjid does not stop them in any way of performing their five time regular salah. I do understand the masjid should be used by sisters to arranged halaqas, to socialise and to help each other with any problems. Though the way this campaign was thought out and represented by MPAC was of a very displeasing, arrogant and in some cases near violent nature.

Secondly, I do accept that MPAC did indeed arrange a meeting, but the behaviour and attitude that some members displayed to their own brothers and sisters in Islam was atrocious and finally a sister had to get everyone to shut up. Everybody in that room should have been ashamed for what they did. This behaviour was totally contradictory to that of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and I think that all parties involved need to seriously reconsider the topic of shura and the etiquettes involved in this.

Thirdly, the issue of masjid comities is now becoming more important as now we require to some degree educated, mature and English speaking members. The masjids featured in the programme seemed dominated by members of the elder Pakistani community. Generally, they have their own view of women’s rights concerning the masjids that have been imbedded into them at a young age. The process of communication with comity members has to be one of slow motion, you cannot expect that when a group of sisters turn up at the door of the masjid, they will be allowed in. This act was seen as an aggressive move and I agree that the men would have been somewhat bemused and may have seen this as a ‘threat’.

Fourthly, there did not seem to be any sign of the masjids that do have ample space for women, there are a fair few in London and also around the country and these were not shown despite it being the central topic of the documentary.

Finally, I end on saying that this type of programme should not at all have been aired on national TV as it gives non Muslim media further 'ammo' against Islam and alienates them from it, so its not doing us any favours. This problem should have been reconciled with greater input from the MCB together with the council of masjids.

Salam, I am a male Christian, and I watched the programme with interest. I told several of my friends; Jew, Muslim & Christian, about it and they watched it too. I think I can say that we all agree that anyone should be able to worship in a mosque. The argument that there wasn't any space for women was somewhat fatuous. I can guarantee that had there been a few men who wanted to join in the prayers then space would easily have been found. Women are the foundation of society, it is they who give birth and so only they can be certain of passing on the heredity, as in Judaism. Reading some comments above, it's interesting that many say the methodology was wrong, but don't offer suggestions about what would have been better. I wish you success in the future.

Salamu 'alaikum

I watched the programme with horror and complete disbelieve. The manner in which the whole issue was approached was not depicting the morals and manners encouraged by the teachings in Islam. The programme makers, C4 and MPAC have hand picked a small selected mosques which are either make shift or have very limited space to expand for womens provisions. I would be interested to know what local women in the targeted mosques think and feel about the issue. Have they been consulted by C4/MPAC - think not, that's not their way.

The behaviour of all those involved and particular the so called 'sisters' were deplorable and lacked basic adaab and hayaa. And as for some of organisers of this campaign - well rather than just RANTING and RAVING, given the platform in the national media they should have used this opportunity with greater wisdom and intelligence. I'm not judging anyones intentions but perhaps they need to revisit this as much of adaabs that were on display are to be desired for. I pray that Allah guides all of us.

We know from history and current global situation that force and aggression does not achieve results but rather creating change through building bridges and developing an atmosphere of dialogue with mutual respect and understanding. Please take heed and let's not give ammunition to those that seek to further tarnish the Muslim community.

The programme makers along with MPAC have also scored an own on objectivity and providing incorrect information about women accessing mosques. They have failed to mention about internationally renowned mosques up and down the country that have provisions for women, yet they again hand picked one of the most controversial - Finsbury Park Mosque which has seen some changes recently.

For sake of brevity i would just give 2/3 examples - the East London Mosque/London Muslim Centre (one of the largest in Europe) has a entire hall named after a women (Umm Arif Hall) and is solely used by women and this caters for up to 1000. The Central Mosque in Regents Park and Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in West London - both having a wide ranging facilities for women, so why was it that they were omitted from the programme. Also my local mosque - Redbridge Islamic Centre has a dedicated space for women which is stones through away from the Balfour Road Mosque that was shown in the programme.

I felt let down and embarrassed by the way the whole issue was raised by C4/MPAC. I could understand C4's stance, but MPAC should have known better.

Until last night, i had some respect for MPAC for the media work that they have been involved with to date. But this programme has demonstrated that very little planning was done and would be deemed as cheap publicity stunt which has gone horribly wrong.

I would like to ask the organisers - what have you achieved? Other than displaying that Muslims cannot hold civilised and decent conversations between themselves - worst being during the month of Ramadan. We all should have been in worship and seeking forgiveness rather than gatecrashing masjids and creating fitna. It seems that we don't even have the basic adaab of speaking to a fellow Muslim on issues of difference.

May Allah guide and help us all, amin.

Salaam Brothers and Sisters.
With Balfour Mosque being our local, I watched CH4’s programme with particular interest. Whether it was your intent or otherwise, you have unjustly portrayed the Mosque in a very bad light. Balfour Mosque is one of the best in Ilford as regards to it’s teaching.
GIRLS and boys from the ages of five onwards attain a very high standard at the mosque. Testament to this is the long waiting list of children not only from the surrounding area but from miles out wanting to enrol at the Mosque. My young children including my eight year old daughter is taught to a very high standard by female teachers who are themselves educated, some being Hafiz of the Quran. Balfour Mosque ALSO organises many events for the community including weekly programs for sisters.
I am therefore very surprised by the actions of MPAC and Asghar Bukhari who I think may be a local resident and should know bet ter.
MPAC – you have probably read all the comments by now and realise that you have made an error, lost many supporters and I think will find it very difficult to be taken seriously in the future.
Watching Asghar Bukhari being interviewed in the past, I think has a very good command of English and could have been a good spokesman on Muslim issues for Muslims. However, your behaviour and attire including you Bluetooth has portrayed you as a joke.

I SUGGEST YOU POST AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR ACTIONS ALONG WITH AN APOLOGY.

Wasalaam.

SHAME ON YOU MPAC! Altho we muslim have been made weak with terrorism, now u have caused this new war within the muslim community itself making our ummah look more weak. not only have u shown up muslim scolars and imam but also making the muslim image look bad nationally. as muslim we should have unity where we work with each other but u have caused segregations, but dont worry mpac watever your evil plans maybe , dont forget allah is ever watchful of all that u do secretly and openly. u ignorant people really need to do your homework on islam and the hadith and find out how the women of our prophets time behaved and went with their daily life and not go on National TV to show your anger! this is Discusting to know that muslim sister would actually argue and show up other leaders in front of the kafir of islam, ONE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK THESE SISTER IS THAT, WOULD THEY BE DOING THIS PROTEST OPENLY IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY ???

"The argument that there wasn't any space for women was somewhat fatuous. I can guarantee that had there been a few men who wanted to join in the prayers then space would easily have been found."Didn't you see the men praying outside the mosque? Clearly not enough space inside.So what are they meant to do - throw more men outside just for the women even though friday prayers are compulsory for men to read at the mosque but not for women?Note anyway that it is preferred from religious texts for women to read at home and men to read at mosque.

Dear Dumb bigot muslims - if you are so concerned about - how bad it made the muslims look - why havent you sorted the mosques out - surely then it wouldnt look bad at all?

All you want to do is cover the problem not solve it.

Well done mpac! - very brave, very needed, got the whole country talking about an issue these dumb bigots havent bothered to address for years.

Islamic Truth

Man!! talk about beating your own drums with a screen name like that

but the truth your comments portray is that you lack Islamic etiquette yet alone any so called Islamic truth

You say:
"Dear Dumb bigot muslims - if you are so concerned about - how bad it made the muslims look - why havent you sorted the mosques out - surely then it wouldnt look bad at all?

All you want to do is cover the problem not solve it.

Well done mpac! - very brave, very needed, got the whole country talking about an issue these dumb bigots havent bothered to address for years."

Dumb as dumb can be... dumb and dumber it takes one to know one... I can only assume that you hate Muslims who are dumb ... ummmm!!!

Then take a good look at yourself
*********************************

Those sisters who insulted the Masjid should pray the Kalimah asap.....what a bunch of clowns.......you are just an agent if ZIONIST.....funded by AIPAC...

I have strongly supported MPAC and its views on a wide range of isssue. They have been very good so far, but this particular issue which MPAC is supporting and manipulating, I do not agree with- This is merely giving the non-muslims an opportunity to cause greater division amongst muslims. Could I ask the question- Who funded the making of the dispatches programme-and where did that money go- nned I say more. I do not believe the women who appeared in the programme are representatives of the muslim women in the UK. This issue is manipulated by outside agencies and MPAC have conveniently and misguidedly taken on an issue- when really there isno issue. The majority of women do not support your views.

We must unite & STOP this bickering. What is the point of going on national television where our sisters are without nikab or hijab. The ummah in such a terrible state yet certain muslims are wanting to make this into a big issue when it is not. What are we portraying to the non-believers. In such times when the UK muslims are viewed upon in a very bad way, please stop all this. It is very sadening. Let us first concentrate on praying five times Fardh Salaat - do you really think more than 25% of muslim women would be willing to come to pray to the mosque 5 times a day - I doubt it. Let us make this a priority - Pray that all ummah observe five times Salat, then we can discuss minor things like women going to the masjid.

This is for MPAC

MPAC supports the proposition of women praying in Masjids ... Noble cause, if you agree with it and I do …

Where it is possible for women to access the Masjid, with available space for pray and with the approval of the Masjid congregation ... women should be actively supported to attend if they should wish
****************************************
But MPAC do not use IMPACT … taking a hammer to crack a nut
****************************************
DO NOT with rather colourful sisters and Islamophobic media coverage bring ISLAM INTO DISREPUTE ...
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
So what are the means that will bring women and Masjids together without bringing ISLAM into DISREPUTE?
****DIALOGUE… Civility, humility and Islamic etiquette****

I managed to see a few glimpses of the adverts for this documentary before it was aired, I was really happy to see the title which put the words jihad and women in the same sentence. I thought it was going to show the daily struggles women go through in life the sacrifices they make and also show the nation a different side to the jihad they are bomabrded with day and night through the media.But instead of seeing genuine struggles and strives a woman goes like financial difficulty, deaths in family and other general difficulties I saw women in the streets with cameras behind them demonstrating outside mosques with leaflets in hand, they could tell the leaders of these mosques were getting very annoyed and simply wanted the cameras to stop rolling yet they still carried on protesting. I ask you sisters if you want to pray in the mosque do you have to trample over men to do that, do you have to argue and shout and cause a scene. Yes I understand that you were simply trying to demonstrate your right to attend the mosque but with the chaos that followed dont you think it would have been better to walk away. By doing this you would have calmed a situation down and managed to pray Zuhr salaat at home which would have gained you more rewards then forcing your way in the mosque.All of the meetings that followed were all in haraam surroundings, all of that intermingling. In order to be able to exercise your right to pray in the mosque you commit God knows how many sins in order to do so, WHY?? Praying salaat in the mosque is not farz on women.There is so much bad publicity surrounding Muslims at the moment and you could have used the airtime on Channel 4 to show the hard work mosques are putting in to help their communities to bring up a nation of good Muslims, these people work so hard to change the ummah for the better, yet you concentrate on putting forward your rights first and foremost. The documentary simply showed fitna within Muslim communities and how much we are divided. It was something the Goverment loves to see on air in the Uk.How you still feel happy and content with your actions sisters I will never understand, if this is how sisters in groups like your own behave then I will never join and support groups like yourselves.

Peace!

After watching the programme I must say as a British muslim women I was not only left red faced but also sad at the fact muslim feel the need to run riot and jump on the 'equality' bandwagon which this topic is!
If praying in a masjid was an important part of a womens like no doubt it would have become a fixed rule in Isam!?!
Why do the new generation feel the need to question our religion because by rioting outsides mosques in england that's how it looks to not only non-muslims but to the younger generation.
Why are these women not satisified with blessings we are given as women? Men will never feel the joy of becoming a mother-isn't this give from the all mighty enough for you?

Now before I get bashed for this post, I'd like to add that:
a) I am 'educated' as some would put it (BA Hons)
b) I am married
c) I am only 23
d) I was born in the UK and was raised here too
e) I work full time and work in the community I live in too

So I guess these ladies protesting are representing a modern muslim womens opinion hey?! Erhhhh no I don't think so!

Lets face some facts, women being given the right to pray in masjids in England is nothing more than bickering between "branches" of the muslim faith. What are real issues concerning us women in the muslim community are:

a) do the younger generation really understand the basis's of islam?

b) do we muslim women do enough for the community?

c) are we creating enough positive role models for muslims across the world?

d)are we tackling domestic violence, forced marriages, adultary etc etc etc and dealing with these problems as best as possible in the muslim community we live in?

e)are any of us completing our missions as muslim women in today's world or is it all about 'we must get our faces in the newspaper today by declaring jihad on our own?'.

Lets just face it, bigger issues are facing us but its easier to climb under a rock and runaway from them and let the mainstream media brand us as terrorists, murderers and nutcases!!!!

So a Maulana in the movie tells Anika" You not supposed to show your face to the men" and still she aggressively argues"You cant even respect us then you expect us to turn around and listen to you brother? Give a sister respect and i'l give you respect back brother". May Allah protect! Also noone is DEPRIVING you to read your Zohar namaas cuz of ego you fool. he Prophet insisted women to pray in their homes to prevent fitnahs. NAY ALLAH PROTECT