Scholar calls for new women-only floors in Grand Mosque

By ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: A professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh has called for the construction of extra floors just for women at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in order to prevent them from mingling with men during tawaf (circling of the Holy Kaaba) and prayers.

"Mingling of sexes is not allowed in the Grand Mosque and outside the mosque according to the Shariah," Dr. Yousuf Al-Ahmed told Arab News.

"There are two types of mingling of sexes; mingling that takes place casually in the passages and at the Jamrat in Mina; and permanent mingling that takes place during tawaf causing congestion and harm to women," Al-Ahmed told Arab News.

Al-Ahmed called for the building of separate floors for women after demolishing the expansions carried out during the Ottoman era and the rule of King Saud, adding that it would create more room for the increasing number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah.

"This engineering solution will give women privacy and keep them away from cameras that project them and show them on satellite channels. Is it not the right of women not to battle with men during tawaf? Is it not their right to have one or two floors to perform tawaf and what is wrong in reconstructing the mosque for this purpose," he asked.

Al-Ahmed asked Arab News not to publish his statement before sending him the report by email. But he did not provide an email address through SMS and switched his mobile phone off. Arab News has a recording of his statement.

The university professor had earlier expressed the same views during a talk show aired by Al-Bidaya satellite channel. His statement is also now available on Youtube.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Sahli, imam and khateeb at Al-Jowhara Mosque in Makkah, did not support the idea saying it would not be practical. "Preventing the reason is one of the principles of Islam and here comes the issue of mingling that causes temptations. But we should be realistic as allocating separate places for women comes close to our imagination but would not serve the interest," he said.

Al-Sahli said the number of women coming to the Grand Mosque is much less than that of men. "If we create a separate area for women in the mataf (circling area) it would reduce the mosque's space. The present status is much better," he said, adding that women can now pray at places far away from men.

Saleh Al-Shamrani, another scholar, refused to comment on the issue and left the matter to the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars to decide.

Comments

AZKSA

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I think that Dr. Yousuf Al-Ahmed forgot that when the grand mosque was originally constructed, and throughout the years of remodeling someone in their infinite mind could of thought of the possibility that men and women would be in the same place at the same time, and would have planned accordingly. Dr. Yousuf Al-Ahmed is disgusting to think that humble religious people worshipping their creator in such a holy place would even consider what Dr. Al-Ahmed is implying. Dr. Al-Ahmed, shame on you, for thinking the worst of people, perhaps it’s you who should be questioned for thinking the way you do.

SIMRAN KHAN

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my god, are they so insecure that they believe that men and women pilgrims will start flirting,kissing or making love while in the grand mosque area??!!
is there any limit to these religious mens paranoia??!!

DR. M. ABDULRAHMAN

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I agree with Dr. Muhammad Al-Sahli and his reasons, but I really understand what Imam Muhammad bin Saud and Dr. Yousuf Al-Ahmed are saying, and while I agree the physical protection aspect of the argument as women are weaker than men, I respectfully disagree the mingling sexes aspect of it and I do not understand the camera part these women are fully dressed, right? Besides like Dr. Al-Sahli said it is not practical. Also how about the weak old men then? I have seen them being run over by stronger people in Kabah. Overall though, they presented a very intresting idea. Thank you,

IMRAN

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Dr.Al-Ahamed's view is good and thats secure for pious women. King Abdullah can surely able to fullfill Al-Ahamed's thought. Its practically possible.

KAGB_2050@YAHOO.COM

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I completely agree with Dr.Mohammad Al-Sahli. Also more than 99% women comes with there families, which will not be practicall to ask them to be separate in such a BIG Mosque, where once if the family members are separate then it becomes difficult to find each other... So the current situation is 1000 time better, how ever the current mezanine floor is best for those who do not want to do tawaf in rush....
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