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MSQ USA- Response to "Culture Clash?"

A Reporter Writes of Her Discomfort During a Jam'at Event
(Original article published in Hartford Advocate)

Dear Editor:

We truly were disheartened to read about the obvious discomfort Ms. Abel felt during her recent visit to our Mosque inauguration in Meriden (Re "Culture Clash?" Aug 2nd)... Equally disheartening, however, was Ms. Abel's unwillingness to speak to even one of the over fifty Ahmadi Muslim women who were present at the event before she wrote about her feelings. A scrupulous journalist would have listened to a multitude of perspectives before sharing her own perspective. We, the women's wing of the Connecticut Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the organizing body for the event, are compelled to respond to Ms. Abel's various observations in her article.

First, Ms. Abel wrongly implies that Islam relegates women as second-class citizens because at the Mosque event the women were segregated from the men and because the men did not gaze upon them. While men and women do not generally mingle during our religious gatherings, according to the Holy Book of Islam, the Qur'an, men and women have equal standing in the sight of God. Woman was not created from a rib of man; rather, women and men are made from one another (3:196). Both are instructed to be modest in conduct. In particular, men are advised to lower their gaze in the presence of women, so as to avoid staring upon them (24:31). Thus the "averted gaze" that Ms. Abel misunderstood from our men could have easily been explained if she had stayed for the event. We certainly would have looked at her and greeted her with open arms if simply given the chance.

Second, Ms. Abel quotes out of context an article on women found on the official website of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (www.alislam.org). While the article does discuss a woman's role as "daughter, wife and mother" -- roles that many American women occupy on a daily basis -- it goes beyond that. For example, the article states: "Islam recognizes the great role that women play in the future of mankind and of societies." The point being that in Islam women do not only assume the roles of daughter, wife and mother. They are also leaders, scholars, educators, and humanitarians. Indeed, while our country still struggles to accept a female presidential candidate, the largest Muslim nations in the world have already embraced Muslim women as presidents and prime ministers.

Third, we respectfully disagree with Ms. Abel that there is a conflict between Quranic verses that were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca and Medina. No part of the Qur'an is abrogated or contradictory. The Qur'an has no apocrypha. Further, there are no verses in the Qur'an that"force Islam on all" as Ms. Abel contends. On the contrary, the Quranic verse recited at the opening of our Mosque event states: "There is no compulsion in religion. (2:257)." Another Quranic verse recited by one of the event speakers makes clear: "Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in God and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve. (2:63)." Thus, contrary to Ms. Abel's contentions, the Qur'an contains no incongruity and does not preach force upon non-Muslims. Instead, it offers the promise of paradise to all sincere believers in God, irrespective of their confession of faith.

In conclusion, Ms. Abel's experience might well have been different if she took the time and effort to learn more about the congregation. Ironically, the very purpose of the Community's outreach for our Mosque inauguration was to invite all our fellow citizens to learn more about Islam and to hear what American Muslims have to say. Unfortunately, Ms. Abel's piece does nothing more than to further the artificial divide between Muslims and non-Muslims.

We are hopeful that as Muslims, and particularly as Muslim women, we will continue to promote love and understanding among our respective faiths through continued inter-faith dialogue and regular open houses at our newly inaugurated Mosque in Meriden.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Women's Auxillary
Connecticut Chapter

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