Muslim
Priestesses in Morocco
27/02/07 08:54 Filed in:
Morocco
Articles
In their national broadcast, the BBC
Network in the UK has released a report
discussing the new role now open to women
in Morocco’s Mourchidat program. This
program is designed for women to become
priests in order to lead women in religious
discussions. At this time, 50 women have
been called to the pulpit, but more are
said to be joining them over the next
several months.
The women, who are given different duties,
can do just about anything that men can do
in the mosque – everything but lead in
prayer. Their role is to help women better
understand Islam and to help balance a
religious society often controlled by men.
The Moroccan minister of religious affairs
has said that society on a whole will
benefit from the new Mourchidat inserts.
The
role of Moroccan women, especially in
religion, is viewed by many on the
governmental level as beneficial to ensure
they are properly represented on all levels
of society.
The idea of women leading discussions is
both innovative and somewhat confusing,
admit some skeptics. Even if the idea is
excellent, what has to be less abstract are
the terms and exact roles of the women
participating. While some of the women are
gearing to fill their roles quite well,
others have been found to hold sympathies
to certain illegal political groups
residing in the country. Those supporting
the women in their newfound freedoms want
the best for everyone involved, especially
when it comes to a region of society that
has been for centuries controlled only by
men. Some critics say that the women will
be pawns for certain organizations, but
optimism seems to outweigh any doubts that
it is another step in the right direction
on a country that is opening its doors to
innovative and progressive ideas.
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