“I remember when the purdahs went up at MCC. Mostly, I remember Mary Auntie working so hard against
“I remember when the purdahs went up at MCC. Mostly, I remember Mary Auntie working so hard against them. I also remember my mom and I not even having space to pray there and praying in the hall. As we made sunnah, the exiting men walked straight over praying women. One woman stood and said we needed to stop paying so that they could exit…instead of just pointing out that they could go through the other doors. My mom said she’d never come back. When asked what my platform would be if I was appointed to the board years later, I said, “"Islamic Feminism and I’m getting rid of those purdahs.” One year later, the new women’s space was erected. I was happy that 20 years after Mary Auntie’s fight, we did it. Sometimes I hear women complain about the space and I wonder if they’re the same ones that felt a man’s comfort meant more than their moment with God or if they were among the women who took up petitions against a more open worship space. I wonder if they know how hard we worked so that MCC could stop unmosqueing women, even unknowingly. Mostly, I’m happy that we have a better option so that maybe one day my mom will return.” -Dr. Alia Ammar The “before” photo was provided by Hind Makki. The “after” photo was provided by Dr. Shabana Mir -- source link
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