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I'm sorry, but why do you even care? The fundamental idea behind the Abrahamic religions is absurd, and Islam is currently the silliest of them all. Why would you bother? Why are ANY women involved in Amercan Islam?

She (Asra) appeared to be aggresive in her approach to change a Islamic Mosque and it's members whom apparently did not welcome change
Similarily to the Islamic Cleric; I feel that any and all Religion Leaders are leading members of their particular sects into disaster
Like the Catholics; the Pope gives no direction, the other religions are in the same view. I myself strive for intervention from a Higher Being and if confusion states with me oh well but I don't go around demanding them(Cleric) to change themselves. We all are on this earth to love one another and just accept the good points of a person and if that does not reveal itself; then following your gut and try to listen and accept different points of view yet do it in a non violent way.

This woman is not unlike many women (and men) who are in jahilliyah , ignorance, of the religion of Islam.

1) Women are not required by Islamic law according to the Qur'an and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad pbuh, to even attend the mosque for prayer at all.

2) They are always welcome and it is in fact their right to pray at the mosque if they so desire. However, Islamic law requires the separation of women and men for the purpose of avoiding any compromise of focus while engaged in worship.

3) Islam is not a democracy & Islam is not a religion that seeks to align itself with secular western values. The purpose of Islam is to submit to the will of the creator. Not to negotiate what has been revealed by Allah Subahanahu wa ta'alaa.

To conclude, what many "fundamentalist" mosques are doing is being true fundamentalists. They are simply getting back to basics in the midst of a war on Islam that seeks to tear it apart, destroy it's essence, and reform what is forbidden to change in the slightest. Everyone now who seeks to practice a pure, unwatered down version of Islam is labeled "extremist." And when one is not willing to compromise the proper practice of Islam the way it was practice by Muhammad and his companions, the labels and acccusations start flying becuase a flock of feminists want to change everything threy dont agree with and corrupt our deen to satisfy their own needs and desires.

We do not welcome those who seek to change Islam. Islam does not revolve around our lives. We revolve our lives around Islam.

May Allah the most high, guide this woman who is in ignorance of the deen of Islam.

Brother Shaheed

Indianapolis, Indiana

Rome, rather than atomize itself over Christians by persecuting them when the citizenry admired them for standing up and dying for their beliefs, made the early Roman Church the official religion. The major difference is that it was politically advantageous to the Roman imperium to adopt Christianity.

We in the Western World do not wish to have our lives revolve around any religion which seeks to force itself into our daily lives, beat our women for dress code violations, exclude minority faiths by denial of freedom, education, and life. In short, we will not submit to any religious belief that opens itself to radicalism that terrorizes our citizenry, forces adherence, and stifles free expression. If Islam is unable or unwilling to conform or to assimilate in any way to the free market economy, a free and open society, then it has no place in many European countries, and certainly has no place in America.

I am upset that PBS has helped promote this self serving individual and feed into the stereotypes that many have about Islam and muslims !
Asra Nomani got my attention when she addressed the issue of unequal pray hall facilities for men and woman. This is an issue of cultural behavior for many Muslim immigrants who are used to following cultural practices concerning prayer halls instead of learning and following what the Islamic Faith teaches about equal access.
BUT she I lost all respect for her when she grandizeid and started throwing the baby out with the bath water by trying to over throw both the true aspects of Islam with the cultural practices.
This is outright manipulation of the issue by Asra that shows she is more in need of therapy to deal with her personal issues of frustration from a broken marriage instead of taking it out on th whole muslim community

There is a hadith that says that the best place for a man to pray is in the front row, and the worst is in the back row, while the best place for a woman to pray is in the back row and the worst is the front row. If there is a barrier, such as a curtain or screen, or like at my masjid, the womens prayer area is above the mens, then the best place for a woman is the front row. The reason for this is that men can be distracted from their prayers if there is a pretty woman next to them. This is the reason for the separation. Besides, as a woman, I would feel very uncomfortable to be praying while knowing there is a man behind me whose eyes might be glued to my butt!

Why is the issue of "beating women for not following the dress code" being brought up? The truth is that there are MANY sisters who do NOT generally follow the dress code (except during prayers), and their husbands do NOT beat them for it. There are women who want to follow the Islamic dress code, who are afraid to because they are afraid some man might come along and posibly hurt them for it. I have had people come up to me and demand that I uncover because I'm not in "my own country." BTW, just so you know, I am strict in adhering to the dress code, but if I didn't, I would not have to fear being hurt for it, in fact, my own family has demanded that I uncover...a demand which I refused.

This woman is trying to build her own fame by feuling anti-islamists hate against Islam. There is not much difference between her and the extremists that cause those of us who do practice Islam sincerely to suffer because of the hate they fuel.

As an AMERICAN Muslim woman, I have no desire to pray next to the men. I am quite happy being in the woman's area, where I can pray to Allah without having to worry about accidentily rubbing against a man next to me and disturbing his or my prayer.

The hadith about the woman praying in the back row and not the front was based on the Masjid of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) in Medina, which was a single story building with no roof. So the women had to pray in the back. Small issue. However, the large issue is that we as Muslims spend too much time worrying about what the non-Muslims think about us instead of worrying about what Allah(swt) thinks about us. If we properly study this beautiful deen of ours we will gain an overstanding as to why the "rules" are the way they are. God is perfect but the human being is not, therefore we need Allah's(swt) guidance. Islam does not need change, the changes in Islam are the reason for the current condition of the Ummah today. We need to stop trying to petition to change this deen using the Kuffar. Because those of them that know, laugh at those of us who do not and exploit them for their ignorance. Example: Asra Nomani

Great conversation here. Please also check out our online FORUM — where the film and its major themes are open for discussion and debate: http://www.themosqueinmorgantown.com/forum/

"The Mosque in Morgantown" tells the story of a single American Muslim community, bringing important issues to life and providing a spark for conversation. But we realize this kind of film simply can't present a comprehensive view of a topic; by nature it is limited to the world of its characters. We created the FORUM to round out the picture — exploring the larger context, bringing in additional perspectives and moving the conversation to the next level.

Please stop by to read original essays from prominent leaders and thinkers, Muslim and non-Muslim, on the film’s major themes ... explore the personal reactions of characters and viewers ... learn about the experiences of other communities ... and join the conversation!

Having read Asra Nomani's work, I think her views were not portrayed as well as they might have been due to the choppy and flitting nature of the documentary clips.
The documentary itself was poorly done and did not allow Asra to express her views in depth.

As a Muslim and an American woman, I support the changes within our Mosque environments that Asra Nomani is trying to bring about. Radicals do try to dominate our dialogues and women are frequently suppressed unless they are the docile hijabi-type who will say whatever their husbands wish them to say. Asra's voice is making a positive change but this documentary portrayed her badly.
I recall that this isn't the first documentary on this issue. The first one made portrayed who Asra really is more fairly.

We need more people like Asra Nomani in our Mosques. At our Mosque, we would have welcomed her and cheered her bravery to go up against the literalists who try to bully and intimidate those of us who try to practice Islam in its full spirit of meaning. I agree the film did not portray her well. One learns more by reading her books and articles. Does anyone know about the first documentary made - I would like to see that one.

The film's manner of skipping about was disconcerting but it got the point across. People like Asra Nomani help bring about needed change although the process of change is rarely pleasant. Someone made the good point that a woman voted as president of ISNA may have been a reactive response to Nomani's efforts.

By the Grace and Mercy of the Almighty Creator.

Asra served one function, that was to highlight the issue of "EQUAL ACCESS to MOSQUES" by both Genders. We MUST work on this and have women have greater roles at our mosques. We don't need old middle eastern men controlling our mosques, we need vibrant and intelligent Muslims male and female on the boards. We need culturally aware people who can solve our communities problems.

Other than that I found sista Asra to be confused and obnoxious. She really believed that she can interpret the Quran. I pray for her guidance as well as mine.

Islam is a preserved way of life as taught by the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him). We Muslims should follow his edicts and sayings for he was the walking islam.

God Almighty protects Islam and safegaurds it. No need to be sad about deviants who try to change 1400 year old rules of modesty and attire.

Islam in America will flourish in its pristine form of compassion and mercy for all of God's creation. The underlying characteristic of our Prophet(sas) was MERCY. He said "The best of you are those who benefit society the most"
"The Best of you is the one who has best conduct towards his wife."
"Paradise is found under the feet of your Mother"
He honored women and so shall we.

Utilize it and God will be happy with us and give us the fortitude to carry on successfully in this life and the next.

This woman has a right to express her opinions just like anyone else. However, let's be clear she is not a Muslim and no longer claims to be Muslim. (See her most recent interview on Radio Times)

Please stop propagating her views as if they were intra-faith views. Her views on Islam are ultimately no more valid than any other non-Muslim.

Her platform is the rejection of Islam, but for that rejection she would just be another anonymous disbeliever.

Muslim

Those who make derogatory claims as to Asra Nomani's faiths should realize they are not God. Only God (Allah) knows what is in our hearts. It takes courage for her to take a stand as she has done. Women had the right to attend the moque of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) without any walls. Why do Muslims now want to follow a path different from their Prophet?

It seems that your work over the years since Daniel Pearl's death and possibly since 911 has alienated you from most of the Muslim community in America. How do you still claim to report and speak from within the Muslim community when you are not welcomed by most of its members?

i believe in allah but why is it that if allah is great and doesn't require our prayers to sustain himself, that people were created in the first place. what is the meaning of living. why are people born without a choice of their own. if allah did create man then allah should have made islamic duties instinctual because he has the power to do so. and i also don't think its not fair that only the Mideast got all the prophets and virtually every other place never had any prophets. do we not matter? what will happen to people who do not even know that islam exists. and how would those people just convert from their traditional religions to islam. won't they feel animosity towards islam because it basically states that their ancestors were idiots (by claiming the superiority of islamic belief) and hell bound. i think it is just unfair and unjust.

I think this article about muslim americans and american girls is a total waste of the time, cause we all know that arabican people always think they are under protetion of their goverment, but we all know that nobody doesn't care about them. What abou muslim americans I though thay should try to protect their families against arabicans.

Some muslin americans and american democatic thinks London should protect arabican people. I don't think is a way down but who cares about arabican muslims and so on , about goverment and they should stay on their place.

Personally I find her journey one of great purpose. I am Muslim, I work AS a in Miami, FL. I once had a run in after 9/11, I had just gotten off work at the grocery store, and I had a pack of guys begin throwing rocks at me and my car. Calling me a terrorist and literally threatening to murder em. I can see why these people, people like me evolve to such hatred, it is out of fear, out of feeling cornered. I have felt that fear.

Shame on you, Jacqueline El Negily.

You may not have the need to pray next to men. But some women clearly do. It is their right. A right which is enforced when you go on hajj or umrah. The fact remains there is no such seperation in the most holiest of places for Muslims -Mecca. Something to ponder on.

Religion is dependent on interpretation. Interpretation is understand it depends on the individual interpreting. You have your interpretation. Miss Nomani has hers. Why can you not be tolerant of other views by other Muslims?

You are confirming the idea that Muslims can not be tolerant of their own. Shame on you for showing such intolerance towards a sister, a woman and a creation of Allah.

Why don't you stop stop propagating her politic views as if they were intra-faith views. Her political views on Islam Religion are ultimately no more valid than any other non-Muslim.

This is a small issue for you, many because you are a man? And can sit up front and interact without difficulty.
Yes, we do need to study this deen and it is beutiful, this applies to you also.
Kuffar means to cover the truth, are you sure this does not apply to you? You attack a person without listening to the merits of what they are saying.

The Prophet (PBUH) did not built walls between women, children and men. Yet, this is what is happening in mosques all across the country. Why doe we refuse to follow the example of the Prophet in this regard? Because thats not how it is done in the old country?

The hadith about the woman praying in the back row and not the front was based on the Masjid of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) in Medina, which was a single story building with no roof. So the women had to pray in the back. Small issue. However, the large issue is that we as Muslims spend too much time worrying about what the non-Muslims think about us instead of worrying about what Allah(swt) thinks about us.Asra Nomani .

1) Women are not required by Islamic law according to the Qur'an and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad pbuh, to even attend the mosque for prayer at all.

2) They are always welcome and it is in fact their right to pray at the mosque if they so desire. However, Islamic law requires the separation of women and men for the purpose of avoiding any compromise of focus while engaged in worship.

3) Islam is not a democracy & Islam is not a religion that seeks to align itself with secular western values. The purpose of Islam is to submit to the will of the creator. Not to negotiate what has been revealed by Allah Subahanahu wa ta'alaa.

To conclude, what many "fundamentalist" mosques are doing is being true fundamentalists. They are simply getting back to basics in the midst of a war on Islam that seeks to tear it apart, destroy it's essence, and reform what is forbidden to change in the slightest. Everyone now who seeks to practice a pure, unwatered down version of Islam is labeled "extremist." And when one is not willing to compromise the proper practice of Islam the way it was practice by Muhammad and his companions, the labels and acccusations start flying becuase a flock of feminists want to change everything threy dont agree with and corrupt our deen to satisfy their own needs and desires.

We do not welcome those who seek to change Islam. Islam does not revolve around our lives. We revolve our lives around Islam.

May Allah the most high, guide this woman who is in ignorance of the deen of Islam.

Brother Shaheed

Indianapolis, Indiana

Sadly, there are some countries that don't have any facilities at the masjid for the sisters. However, there is a hadith that says "do not prevent your womenfolk from attending masjid." Normally, a woman has to ask her husband for permission to go out. However, she can say "dear, I'm going to the Masjid," and she doesn't have to say "is it ok with you?" In fact, this is one of the cases where she can actually disobey him if he says "no you won't!" It says in the Qur'an to always treat your parents with respect, but if they tell you to violate Islamic principles, do not obey them.asra-nomani

Salaam & Greetings of peace, I have to disagree with Shaheed. Women are NOT always welcome in our mosques. As a Muslimah who has had the WOMEN's entrance of a mosque LOCKED by the imam to try to stop women from coming...I know personally this issue. While women are not "Required" to attend, the prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the men NOT to prevent them from attending. ANd yet that command has been ignored by many men & far fewer men are willing to stand up for the rights of the women to attend & study at the masjids. Men have started making the place a men's club... and denying women equal opportunities to learn & worship. I have been in mosques where the "women's area" is used by the men as a storage room. Where its been used as the "play ground" with play equipment for children...I have seen mosques where the OLDER boys are sent to sit with the women so their fathers & uncles can "have quiet" so they can hear! Yet they do not think about the women who also want to hear the khutbahs. I have had enough of this 3rd class status! Leave your cultural sexism on the shores of your own country! As am American who was born & raised here & whose family has lived in America since before it was a nation.... Asra nomani

Why don't you stop stop propagating her politic views as if they were intra-faith views. Her political views on Islam Religion are ultimately no more valid than any other non-Muslim.

What I don't understand is that if her knowledge and practice of Islam was/is so piecemeal why doesn't she openly renounce it (similar to Ayaan Hirsa Ali) and leave? If it is that oppressive simply vote with your convictions and openly cast it out. There are plenty of other faiths out there or one can choose the newly emergent atheism that was growing heavily in the last years of the Bush administration.

I believe that if there is a war on Islam, it is being waged from within. Almost all of the Muslims killed by violence every year are killed by other Muslims. Unfortunately, the fundamantalism that some seek is used by some as an excuse for violence against less fundamentalist Muslims as well as those who do not practice Islam at all. I would not claim to know very much about Islam, but I am reasonably sure that Muhammad did not condone or advocate suicide bombing, yet it is practiced by those who consider themselves fundamentalist, however ill informed they may be.

And since the Shia and Sunni appear to see Islam very differently, it probably isn't as clear as you portray it, anyhow. Most things are not. It is the nature of things, I suppose.

Peace.

She (Asra) appeared to be aggresive in her approach to change a Islamic Mosque and it's members whom apparently did not welcome change
Similarily to the Islamic Cleric; I feel that any and all Religion Leaders are leading members of their particular sects into disaster

Like many have said it is not compulsory for women to attend mosque to pray and if they do it in in their own will. I don't understand why it is an issue because as a Muslim myself I'm use to the fact that women don't pray together with men, its just the way it is, women have a different section which they can pray in. It has nothing got to do with equal rights its just the way it is.

This has nothing to do with gender equality. When a woman prays as a Muslim, her stance is not proper to pray with man in the same place. Thats why she was told not to enter to then place where the men was praying. What I am saying is Islam is an equal religion for both genders. Why would a woman want to show her butt while praying to the God? I advice her to make a research about Islam and learn how equal the woman and men according to Quran.
saglik

In my opinion, is not the fault of religion or religions. People incorrect. Human forms of religious understanding is incorrect. Because all religions is peace and order. Thank you for 5im

I wish to concur with the above. I am all for improving women's conditions in the Mosque but Asra has no limits and is all over the place - Even the show, which I watched last night, was a blur of her inserting herself, complaining when people didn't stand on their heads for her, and leaving over and over.es-es fan The one Mosque where she insisted praying in the middle of the men's rows is one of the most women friendly Mosques in the country where very few moderate/traditional women would complain. Then the part of her sitting in the meeting about her expulsion was just stupid - she didn't even try to have the smallest degree of dialogue before huffing out of the room. Seriously, I was internally humming "let's go eat some worms" as it was the level of her maturity. She has zero credibility any more. Why PBS picked this up, I will never understand.

Salaam & Greetings of peace, I have to disagree with Shaheed. Women are NOT always welcome in our mosques. As a Muslimah who has had the WOMEN's entrance of a mosque LOCKED by the imam to try to stop women from coming...I know personally this issue. While women are not "Required" to attend, the prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the men NOT to prevent them from attending. ANd yet that command has been ignored by many men & far fewer men are willing to stand up for the rights of the women to attend & study at the masjids. Men have started making the place a men's club... and denying women equal opportunities to learn & worship. I have been in mosques where the "women's area" is used by the men as a storage room. Where its been used as the "play ground" with play equipment for children...I have seen mosques where the OLDER boys are sent to sit with the women so their fathers & uncles can "have quiet" so they can hear! Yet they do not think about the women who also want to hear the khutbahs. I have had enough of this 3rd class status! Leave your cultural sexism on the shores of your own country! As am American who was born & raised here & whose family has lived in America since before it was a nation.... Asra nomani

Salaam & Greetings of peace, I have to disagree with Shaheed. Women are NOT always welcome in our mosques. As a Muslimah who has had the WOMEN's entrance of a mosque LOCKED by the imam to try to stop women from coming...I know personally this issue. While women are not "Required" to attend, the prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the men NOT to prevent them from attending. ANd yet that command has been ignored by many men & far fewer men are willing to stand up for the rights of the women to attend & study at the masjids. Men have started making the place a men's club... and denying women equal opportunities to learn & worship. I have been in mosques where the "women's area" is used by the men as a storage room. Where its been used as the "play ground" with play equipment for children...I have seen mosques where the OLDER boys are sent to sit with the women so their fathers & uncles can "have quiet" so they can hear! Yet they do not think about the women who also want to hear the khutbahs. I have had enough of this 3rd class status! Leave your cultural sexism on the shores of your own country! As am American who was born & raised here & whose family has lived in America since before it was a nation.... Asra nomani

This woman is not unlike many women (and men) who are in jahilliyah , ignorance, of the religion of Islam.

1) Women are not required by Islamic law according to the Qur'an and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad pbuh, to even attend the mosque for prayer at all.

2) They are always welcome and it is in fact their right to pray at the mosque if they so desire. However, Islamic law requires the separation of women and men for the purpose of avoiding any compromise of focus while engaged in worship.

3) Islam is not a democracy & Islam is not a religion that seeks to align itself with secular western values. The purpose of Islam is to submit to the will of the creator. Not to negotiate what has been revealed by Allah Subahanahu wa ta'alaa.

To conclude, what many "fundamentalist" mosques are doing is being true fundamentalists. They are simply getting back to basics in the midst of a war on Islam that seeks to tear it apart, destroy it's essence, and reform what is forbidden to change in the slightest. http://www.askimbaksanabana.com Everyone now who seeks to practice a pure, unwatered down version of Islam is labeled "extremist." And when one is not willing to compromise the proper practice of Islam the way it was practice by Muhammad and his companions, the labels and acccusations start flying becuase a flock of feminists want to change everything threy dont agree with and corrupt our deen to satisfy their own needs and desires.

We do not welcome those who seek to change Islam. Islam does not revolve around our lives. We revolve our lives around Islam.

May Allah the most high, guide this woman who is in ignorance of the deen of Islam.

Brother Shaheed

Indianapolis, Indiana

The Paradise is under mothers feet..

Cihan ?ahin

I believe that if there is a war on Islam, it is being waged from within. Almost all of the Muslims killed by violence every year are killed by other Muslims. Unfortunately, the fundamantalism that some seek is used by some as an excuse for violence against less fundamentalist Muslims as well as those who do not practice Islam at all. islam aldeol kpss I would not claim to know very much about Islam, but I am reasonably sure that Muhammad did not condone or advocate suicide bombing, yet it is practiced by those who consider themselves fundamentalist, however ill informed they may be.