I've come across a few mosques like this one that have the women's section upstairs. They are open to the men's side which I think is a much better idea and makes the women feel more part of the congregation.
This phenomenon of hiding the women and not allowing them to participate in mosques is not only a Saudi phenomenon, it's actually a problem in the U.S. too.
During the time of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) women and men prayed together in harmony, women behind men in the same space. The only place I know of in modern day Saudi-Arabia that still has this practice is the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
As salamu laikum,
ReplyDeleteNice photo, they all prayed in the same room because it was not large enough. Later as the communities grew and more wealth came, they made the rooms seperate and it's better because women can nurse babies during Sermon's etc. and lift or take off veils, scraves etc., chat freely, so it easier for everyone, we luv it and kids can play w/o disturbing classes, readings and so on.