Alexandra McCallen

Alexandra McCallen

Foundations of Islam

Islamic Women in the Media:

“Female Imams Blaze Trail Amide China’s Muslims”

By Louisa Lim for NPR

For most of the world, mosques are filled with men and women and run my male imams. China, however, has made strides in the involvement of women as spiritual leaders. Currently China is the only country featuring entirely female mosques, run by female imams. Yoa Baoxia, who has been a female imam for 14 years, states that the development is likely due to the socialist nature of the country, where men and women are considered equal.

Female mosques often begin as all girl Qur’anic schools, were girls can receive free instruction and have a safe environment to play and socialize. While surprising, this phenomenon is not new. Qur’ranic schools began transforming into mosques about 100 years ago and have continued ever since. The Chinese government allows and supports the development as long as the female imams receive the proper imam training. Female imams are still limited in some practices, however. They are not permitted to lead funeral rituals among other practices.

These female mosques face two major challenges. First, Islamic areas on the boarders of Chain, and even northern parts of Chain, see this type of authority for women as being against the religion. Secondly, young women are not taking interest in becoming imams. The reason for the loss of interest is not due any opposition but rather the life of an imam is not economically strong. Women find that they can make more money and produce a more comfortable life style with a career.

I found this article to be informative and fair overall. The author did not appear to have any particular stance regarding Islam or Chinese culture, but rather reported with informative neutrality. The article did, however, produce a lot of questions on my part as the reader. I would like to know how the community and the local male population regard female mosques. Are female mosques and imams viewed with the same caliber as their male counterparts? All imams receive the same training, but do all imams consider themselves equal? Are female imams subject to sexism? The article does not answer these questions, but does suggest the community as being positive towards female imams and mosques.

I find myself desiring to know more on the subject and I would personally like to see more female leadership in the Muslim community. America, Canada, Britain and other secular, and perhaps more progressive, locations seem conducive to the idea. I don’t see why the idea would not go over well in the U.S. More conservative areas, however, are less likely to share the same disposition. The article stated that female imams and mosques felt some opposition from neighboring countries such as Pakistan. I imagine much of the Middle East would fall under the same opinion.

Our reading for Tuesday states that women are of equal value as men and can successfully apprehend the Qur’an. In fact, they can offer new and differing understandings. I believe the reading is correct in this light and the women of China are the proof.