Religion

Mecca and Main Street

In "Mecca and Main Street," author Geneive Abdo views Women in the Changing Mosque as Muslim women who have long been excluded from a place where they belong and should be welcomed. She notes in this chapter than women in American mosques often have to worship in the back rows behind the men, or in a balcony, and in other areas or very conservative mosques, they worship in a separate room entirely (Abdo 138). It is interesting to note that it does not say women should pray separately in Islamic law, but the tradition evolved anyway, largely from transplant Muslims from other areas of the world, rather than the Middle East. In addition, while westerners view Muslim women as oppressed and subjugated because of their strict dress and behavior codes, most Muslim women living in the Middle East embrace these codes and would still wear their headscarves and other garments if they were allowed to dress any way they chose. Thus, some of the misunderstanding and distrust of Muslim women (and men) that exists in our society is based on our own western beliefs, rather than the needs and wants of Muslim women.

As the author writes of women who are fighting to gain more acceptance and input in Islam and their mosques, it is clear she believes that women are not recognized enough in Islam, and that needs to change. She ends the chapter with a scene of a respected Muslim leader handing out awards to Muslim women, and it indicates her strong beliefs on the subject. Many men recognize Muslim women as a source of strength and family that cannot be ignored, while others simply ignore their existence and purpose. The Muslim religion was not based on inequality, it has grown and become popular through hundreds of years of history. The author feels this needs to change, and that women should be an integral part of the Muslim religion, both inside and outside the mosque.

References

Abdo, Geneive. Mecca and Main Street: Muslim Life in America After 9/11. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.