(Radio France) Two Muslim organisations in France have launched projects to create “inclusive” mosques: spaces where women and men can pray together, and where female imams would be able to lead Friday prayers.
Kahina Bahloul conducts her prayers at home, in her living room. She decided to stop going to the mosque five years ago after she was refused access to the main prayer room.
“I went to the mosque with a group of male and female friends. It was a religious festival commemorating the birth of the prophet, so it was very important,” she tells RFI.
“The men were told to go in, but we women were told ‘cross the road and you’ll find a room.’ It was a garage in fact. So there I was in this garage. The sound system was terrible and the atmosphere was not at all spiritual. Women were cooking and kids were playing. I was extremely disappointed, shocked even.”
