Judge rejects calls for women-only floors in Grand Mosque
Published: Mar 19, 2010 23:20 Updated: Mar 19, 2010 23:20
JEDDAH: A judge at Riyadh Summary Court has ridiculed calls 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.
"Such opinions must be totally rejected. The issuers of such fatwas must be stopped and re-educated," said Dr. Isa Al-Ghaith, a judge at Riyadh Summary Court.
Al-Ghaith said this while commenting on the remarks of Yousuf Al-Ahmed, a professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Al-Watan newspaper reported.
Al-Ahmed told a TV channel that mixing between men and women during Tawaf around the Kaaba was against Islam, and that the expansions carried out during the Ottoman era and the rule of King Saud should be demolished, adding that it would create more room for the increasing number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah.
"I could not believe this when I was told about it. I did not expect matters to reach this level. This means that we have reached a dangerous stage that has not even been anticipated by the majority of pessimists," said Al-Ghaith, while calling for urgent steps to protect the religion and the Kingdom from this dangerous thought.
He described such remarks as "irresponsible" and asked the concerned authorities to take stern action against preachers such as Al-Ahmed before it is too late.
Al-Ahmed made the remarks while talking to the satellite TV channel Bidayah (beginning). He said the mixing of men and women during Tawaf is haram (unlawful under Islam). “This engineering solution will give women privacy and keep them away from cameras that film 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-Ghaith said it is unfair and unwise to keep quiet about such remarks. "Issuers of such fatwas must be put right in their place. They must be re-educated and re-guided," he said.

Comments
MOHAMMED
Mar 20, 2010 14:25
Report abuseSYED HASAN AL-SAQAF
Mar 20, 2010 14:30
Report abuseI really appreciate tand fully agree with the ruling of the Judge Al-Gaith. The new thoughts like the professor should be battled and ripped off the bud itself. What Al-Ahmad wants to tell muslim ummah that Allah and his messenger did not know about the mixing of male and female devotees during Tawaf? He wants to say, Islam is INCOMPLETE?
Best wishes to Saudi Rulers and Scholars of KSA for following the Holy Quran and our beloved Messenger of Allah. However, Allah has already taken up the responsibilities of l protecting His religion.
RANIA
Mar 20, 2010 14:38
Report abuseTETE
Mar 20, 2010 14:43
Report abuseHUWAIDABB
Mar 20, 2010 20:34
Report abuseIs he saying that the way Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the companions of his time, both men and WOMEN sahaba were wrong in the way that they performed hajj and umrah!?
I find this completely mind boggling!!!!
Is he inventing a new religion!!??