| .. |
| BREAKING NEWS!! KING ABDULLAH ANNOUNCES REVERSAL OF DECISION TO SAUDI GAZETTE. |
Muslimah Writers Alliance Director Welcomes News
of Saudi Reversal to Eliminate Women's Prayer Area
of Saudi Reversal to Eliminate Women's Prayer Area
The small section (left) represented by Muslim women dressed in traditional
black abaya's (outer covering) is representative of the space currently alloted
women for praying in the inner circle of the mosque at Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
black abaya's (outer covering) is representative of the space currently alloted
women for praying in the inner circle of the mosque at Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
good, but from our point of view it will be better for them ... We can sit with them and explain to them what the decision is."
That report concluded with the statement, "The decision is not final, and could be reversed."
"In my capacity as Founder and Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance, I made the decision to rise to the challenge presented and lent MWA's
voice to those of our sisters in Saudi Arabia."
Continuing Ms. Schwartz stated: "To that end, let us give all thanks and praise to God Almighty for facilitating our efforts. In embracing the news
of the Saudi's reversal of the prior decision to remove the sister's prayer area from within the mataaf (circumambulation area around the Holy
Kaaba), may we be eternally mindful of the power a good intention.
"And let the naysayers take heed in their complacency. Whatever efforts we make, however great or small, are never a waste of time.
"Had we not collectively made an effort to save the women's prayer area, how many more tears would have been shed as the Saudi government
slowly implemented its prior decision?
"Let us be mindful that it is written in the Holy Qur'ran (translation of the meaning) that God will not change our condition(s) until we change what
is within ourselves.
"To those supporting the Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women online petition, may God Almighty reward your efforts in this life and the next,
God willing.
"And to King Abdullah; you must know that Muslim women worldwide will never forget that you allowed their voices to be heard; and that you
listened. I also personally thank you. I understand your first year as King has brought about many praiseworthy accomplishments. Having spent a
year in your Kingdom during 2004-05, I had the opportunity to visit Makkah, Madinah, Taif, Jeddah, and Riyadh. I left behind many wonderful
new friends and a treasure chest of memories, many of which I have documented through my writings. It is my prayer to return to the Kingdom
one day.
"King Abdullah, you have the power to bring Saudi Arabia forward in new and positive directions, and it is my added prayer that you continue to
follow God's guidance," Ms. Schwartz concluded.
That report concluded with the statement, "The decision is not final, and could be reversed."
"In my capacity as Founder and Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance, I made the decision to rise to the challenge presented and lent MWA's
voice to those of our sisters in Saudi Arabia."
Continuing Ms. Schwartz stated: "To that end, let us give all thanks and praise to God Almighty for facilitating our efforts. In embracing the news
of the Saudi's reversal of the prior decision to remove the sister's prayer area from within the mataaf (circumambulation area around the Holy
Kaaba), may we be eternally mindful of the power a good intention.
"And let the naysayers take heed in their complacency. Whatever efforts we make, however great or small, are never a waste of time.
"Had we not collectively made an effort to save the women's prayer area, how many more tears would have been shed as the Saudi government
slowly implemented its prior decision?
"Let us be mindful that it is written in the Holy Qur'ran (translation of the meaning) that God will not change our condition(s) until we change what
is within ourselves.
"To those supporting the Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women online petition, may God Almighty reward your efforts in this life and the next,
God willing.
"And to King Abdullah; you must know that Muslim women worldwide will never forget that you allowed their voices to be heard; and that you
listened. I also personally thank you. I understand your first year as King has brought about many praiseworthy accomplishments. Having spent a
year in your Kingdom during 2004-05, I had the opportunity to visit Makkah, Madinah, Taif, Jeddah, and Riyadh. I left behind many wonderful
new friends and a treasure chest of memories, many of which I have documented through my writings. It is my prayer to return to the Kingdom
one day.
"King Abdullah, you have the power to bring Saudi Arabia forward in new and positive directions, and it is my added prayer that you continue to
follow God's guidance," Ms. Schwartz concluded.
| In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful |
| Muslimah Writers Alliance Announces |
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| .. |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 12, 2006 (MWANET) On Monday,
September 11, 2006, just eleven days after the Muslimah Writers Alliance
Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women Project and online petition were
launched, news sources reported deputy head of Grand Mosque affairs,
Mohammed bin Nasser al-Khozayem, as saying, 'The presidency
(committee) [has] decided to adopt a second proposal, which is to expand
two special places for women's prayer, in addition to the one that already
exists.'
Despite reports from Jeddah suggesting that this was all a
'misunderstanding', let us be reminded that the controversy began with the
reported words of a member of King Abdullah's committee of scholars,
namely, Osama al-Bar, head of the Institute for Haj Research.
Al-Bar was quoted as saying, "The area is very small and so crowded. So we
decided to get women out of the sahn [Kaaba area] to a better place where
they can see the Kaaba and have more space. Some women thought it
September 11, 2006, just eleven days after the Muslimah Writers Alliance
Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women Project and online petition were
launched, news sources reported deputy head of Grand Mosque affairs,
Mohammed bin Nasser al-Khozayem, as saying, 'The presidency
(committee) [has] decided to adopt a second proposal, which is to expand
two special places for women's prayer, in addition to the one that already
exists.'
Despite reports from Jeddah suggesting that this was all a
'misunderstanding', let us be reminded that the controversy began with the
reported words of a member of King Abdullah's committee of scholars,
namely, Osama al-Bar, head of the Institute for Haj Research.
Al-Bar was quoted as saying, "The area is very small and so crowded. So we
decided to get women out of the sahn [Kaaba area] to a better place where
they can see the Kaaba and have more space. Some women thought it
Muslimah Writers Alliance Director Welcomes News of Saudi Reversal to Eliminate Women's Prayer Area
MWANET (Sept. 12, 2006)
Women Welcome Rejection of Haram Prayer Proposal
Razan Baker, Arab News
JEDDAH, 12 September 2006
Women’s Petition Opposes Grand Mosque Plans
Razan Baker, Arab News
JEDDAH, 11 September 2006
Saudi Clerics Backtrack on Mecca Women Prayer Ban
RIYADH (Reuters) - Sept. 11, 2006
Saudi Officials Consider Banning Women From Praying at Shrine of Mecca, Raising Protests
By DONNA ABU-NASR Associated Press Writer
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Sept. 7, 2006)
(ABC News International)
Women in the Grand Mosque
ARAB NEWS (Sept. 5, 2006)
Chorus Gets Louder
SAUDI GAZETTE (Sept. 2, 2006)
Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins Coalition of Activists Seeking Preservation of Women's Prayer Area at Mecca's Grand Mosque
MWANET (Aug. 31, 2006)
Women to Fight Mecca Restriction
Daily News, South Africa (Aug. 30, 2006)
The Rights of Women in the Grand Mosque
ALJAZEERA-REUTERS (Aug. 30, 2006)
Women Face Curbs at Makka
ARAB NEWS (Aug. 28, 2006)
MWANET (Sept. 12, 2006)
Women Welcome Rejection of Haram Prayer Proposal
Razan Baker, Arab News
JEDDAH, 12 September 2006
Women’s Petition Opposes Grand Mosque Plans
Razan Baker, Arab News
JEDDAH, 11 September 2006
Saudi Clerics Backtrack on Mecca Women Prayer Ban
RIYADH (Reuters) - Sept. 11, 2006
Saudi Officials Consider Banning Women From Praying at Shrine of Mecca, Raising Protests
By DONNA ABU-NASR Associated Press Writer
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Sept. 7, 2006)
(ABC News International)
Women in the Grand Mosque
ARAB NEWS (Sept. 5, 2006)
Chorus Gets Louder
SAUDI GAZETTE (Sept. 2, 2006)
Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins Coalition of Activists Seeking Preservation of Women's Prayer Area at Mecca's Grand Mosque
MWANET (Aug. 31, 2006)
Women to Fight Mecca Restriction
Daily News, South Africa (Aug. 30, 2006)
The Rights of Women in the Grand Mosque
ALJAZEERA-REUTERS (Aug. 30, 2006)
Women Face Curbs at Makka
ARAB NEWS (Aug. 28, 2006)
| ------------------------- Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally-based organization with a Mission to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and the common good of the Muslim Ummah, in addition to supporting one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success. -------------------------- |
| Muslimah Writers Alliance 1745 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 147 Washington, DC 20006 Fax & Voicemail: 1-866-405-5981 On the web: http://www.muslimahwritersalliance.com http://mwawomenmakinghistory.blogspot.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Muslimah_Writers_Alliance http://www.sisteraishah.com http://aishahsjourney.blogspot.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sisters4Dawah The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "One who helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world, Allah will remove the formers distress on the Day of Judgment. He who helps to remove the hardship of another, will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. One who covers the shortcomings of another Muslim, will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah. Allah continues to help a servant so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister)." (Muslim) |
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