Salam aleykoum sisters, have you ever been unable to attend Friday prayer because there’s no space for women?
Why is the space for women often taken over by men?
We are told it is obligatory for them, yet our rights are being taken away.
We are expected to swallow a bitter pill and accept it.
This is about the Friday prayer.
But what about Eid prayers?
The Prophet, sallahu wa sallam, said that women can pray in the mosque (Sahih al-Bukhari 900).
I refuse to accept this.
I call on all sisters – and brothers – to peacefully insist that wherever women are denied space to pray, a corner must be reserved for us.
So we have a choice.
So we can be seen, included, recognized – as Islam commands.
Taking away our space is taking away our choice.
It excludes us from participation,
from feeling close to our Creator at the most important time of the week,
from making duaa between the sermon and the prayer, to increase the acceptance of our prayers.
I have prayed in mosques around the world.
And I’ve seen how often women’s presence is marginalized.
The men’s section enjoys light, windows, space, and comfort.
The women’s section is often underground, dark, and secluded.
Often accessible only by stairs, no elevators.
Who suffers?
Elderly women, women with disabilities, mothers with children.
Yet in some mosques, women’s spaces are bright, welcoming, and accessible.
You can feel the balance and fairness.
This is not a religious issue.
It’s a matter of choices.
I ask my sisters: fight for your spaces.
Spaces where we can always pray.
Spaces that are beautiful, bright, and equal to men’s.
If we want to represent Islam, let’s show the world what inclusion really looks like.
The spaces we inhabit shape our relationships, who we are, who we want to be, and what we hope to achieve in service to our Lord.
Do not be fooled by those who say women don’t attend prayers, that we are not present.
The system is a circle: if you deny us space and safety, we will be less likely to attend.
Keep women’s halls open.
Do not force us to buzz or call endlessly because the women’s section is locked.
Imagine a man having to call every number, buzz, hope someone answers, just to open a door “because no one uses it.”
I have lost count of how many times this has happened.
This must end.
Let us fight peacefully, sisters.
Let our voices be heard.
Let’s reclaim our spaces.
Without space, there is no choice.
Without choice, there is no presence.
A peaceful struggle open to men as well.
Barakallahu fik/i,
Ale