Toronto
Star
April 26, 2005
At
the rate poison darts are soaring towards me, one would think I led a
chorus line and not an Islamic prayer!
Yes
indeed, the fatwas are flying (I already have one from a Saudi network
based in the United States, thank you!). The GTA Muslim community, even
those who profess to be liberal, are doing what has become the norm —
condemning without considering, labelling without listening and judging
without justice. Since the Talibanization of Pakistan, I'm well aware of
stoning first and debating later.
Let
me confess where all this began. About three weeks ago when Tarek Fatah,
founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC), asked me if I would lead
a mixed-gender group in prayer, I said No! I wasn't ready to be
part of a media frenzy.
Tarek
and I have agreed to disagree on many points, but we have what I call
"a dignity of difference" — a respectful exchange of ideas,
which is a characteristic abysmally lacking in some parts of the Muslim
community. My husband convinced me that it would be a natural
progression from giving sermons in churches, praying in synagogues
and temples to lead prayer for my own community.
I
checked with a professor of religious studies who was an imam in
Toronto. He said categorically that nowhere in the Qur'an does it
specify women can't lead prayer. Also, when the Prophet Muhammad
preached his message in a male-dominated society, he did not speak out
for or against women leading prayer. As a matter of fact, women at that
time were entrepreneurs, theologians, mystics and also participated in
war. I'm extremely impressed by these female role models.
The
three men in my life (two sons and spouse) encouraged me to take this
leap of faith — what more could I ask for? I've always believed God
created us equal and that spirituality is not dependent on gender.
However,
there are many people who are barred from places of worship. Some women
have stopped going to the mosque because they are stuck near the
bathrooms or kitchen due to their gender.
More
important, all worship in Islam begins with a declaration of intent. My
intention was not reactionary, not defiant and definitely not a show of
militant feminism. It wasn't about a battle between progressive and
conservative — it was about sharing some profound thoughts with my
fellow Muslims and also to help other women find a safe space to
worship.
April
22 was Earth Day, and after moving the venue twice (because so-called
liberal and culturally progressive centres refused to have a woman lead
prayer), a backyard in Cabbagetown became the sanctuary. A motley crowd
of about 40 people from as far as Oakville and Pickering came to join in
this historic Friday prayer, among them an imam, women in hijab and
diverse Muslims from various backgrounds.
There
was no security guard posted at the door to check ID credentials or
people's intentions
since I don't believe that is our mission in life. I am responsible only
for my conscience and answerable only to God. This event also was an
attempt to break the domination of a few misguided bigots who try to
reduce God to a policeman.
Although
physically I led the prayer by standing in front and reading the sermon
before the prayer, we all were bound by our united submission to God. I
felt we were truly blessed. Why? Because the brave men and women who
chose to stand behind me and pray empowered me with a responsibility
that made my own prayer more poignant and meaningful.
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