by MADIHAH AKHTER
One Friday afternoon, as I was settling down to listen to a sermon in my local mosque in Orange County, California, a woman leaned over to me and whispered that I needed to take my toenail polish off to properly complete ablutions. Many people believe that since water can’t touch nails because of the impermeable polish barrier, one can’t perform ablutions. Without successfully performed ablutions, my prayers would not be accepted.
My toenails have been a source of contention in mosques spanning the globe. I’ve been lectured on the moral ills of nail polish in languages I don’t understand. While I interpret lectures on ‘correct’ practices as policing, many women feel these corrections are religious and generational duties that contribute to community construction.
While being scolded for nail polish may seem trivial, it is actually an entry point into a set of debates regarding how to accommodate the inherent diversity of beliefs and practices within religious spaces, especially among young American Muslims, many of whom find these comments intrusive. This experience is also the basis for a new initiative, the Women’s Mosque of America.
Understanding Diversity
The Women’s Mosque of America (hereafter called the Mosque) is attempting to bridge gender gaps in the American Muslim community. The Mosque first opened its doors to a female-only congregation in late January for Friday prayers. While in many masjids (mosques) around the country sermons are given by male religious scholars and community leaders, in the Women’s Mosque the sermon is given by a khateebah, a female orator. The mosque, located in downtown Los Angeles, welcomes Muslim women at all degrees of practice and belief and of all sects and backgrounds.
The Feminist Wire for more
(Thanks to Robin Khundkar)