[jambutty]

Well that Dispatches programme did reveal one very interesting fact. It would appear that each mosque committee led by a male Imam can put whatever interpretation it likes on the Koran. Thus some mosques allow women in to pray, albeit in their own area, and some do not. It’s is all down to the Imam and the strictly male committee. Apparently the Koran does not bar women from praying alongside the men in a mosque but treats all followers of Islam as equal.

One other point came through quite clearly is that some of the male members of a mosque got quite vociferous with the film crew and one even resorted to foul language, telling the camera crew to f*** o** whilst another issued threats against them. Not exactly a good advert for Islam. Then during meetings with the women the men made their point in a bullying and aggressive manner.

In my view the sooner that Muslim women get an equal voice on a mosque committee the better. Should that happen, and it is going to be a long hard fight, then the chances of Muslims integrating with the rest of us will be drastically improved. In fact I am convinced that it would happen quicker than many people could hope for. We non Muslims, men and women, should support their cause wholeheartedly.

The key to integration whilst retaining their own culture and none confrontational religion, are the Muslim women.

Women the world over have an affinity with each other, regardless of culture, colour or creed, that is not matched by their male counterpart and it is this affinity that will bring about integration if they are allowed a voice in Islam.

However, I would still ask a veiled Muslim women to remove her veil when in a one to one situation with me. She can see and read my face and judge from it whether I am sincere and truthful in my comments and it is only fair that I am able to do the same.