The exceptional role women have played – and continue to play – in Islam and Arab society as a whole has been highlighted at an event held at Mohammed bin Yousef Al Hassan Mosque in Al Sayh.
Publicised as ‘A Beautiful Event’, yesterday’s session discussed the freedom, equality and leadership of women and attempted to dispel many myths and unfounded prejudices sometimes portrayed.
“Women’s rights, freedom and equality are very important in Islam,” tour guide Ghada Khafagi, an Egyptian expatriate, told the GDN.
A total of 25 volunteers took part in the event which attracted more than 40 visitors of different nationalities including British, Russian, Spanish and Tunisian.
It formed part of a series of free-of-charge tours staged at the mosque every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 3pm.
Participants enjoyed having their names written in Arabic using calligraphy, in addition to learning about different verses from the Holy Quran, which highlight and praise the roles played by women in society.
“Women are placed on a very high degree of appreciation and in our religion, for example, it states how mothers come first due to how they sacrifice their lives to raise their children,” said Ms Khafagi.
Historically, and even in some societies today, the birth of daughters can be considered as being inferior to having sons and that has never been the case in Islam, she added.
Mary, or Mariam in Arabic, is venerated and one of the most important and righteous women in Islam. She is mentioned in the Quran more than in the Bible. Many Muslim women look up to her as an example.
The Capital School Bahrain’s principal Nicola Matthews was among the attendees at yesterday’s event. “I have been here once before and wanted to find out more about women in Islam,” she said. “The mosque is very beautiful and now that the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, I will bring my children to see it and take part in forthcoming planned art events.
“The story of the Virgin Mary and how she is regarded in Islam was fascinating.”
Ukrainian and British businesswoman and former diplomat at the British embassy in the UAE Victoria Cox, who was a volunteer at the event, described her desire to promote the beauty of Islam.
“We are dealing with a rise of people’s misconception about Islam,” the 46-year-old told the GDN. “Islam is very inclusive, diverse and all about equality.
“I encourage people to learn more and find out why Islam represents a religion of peace, submission to God, generosity and patience.”
Brazilian couple Ricardo Ferrera and Elayne Valle found the subject matter enthralling too.
“This is our third trip to Bahrain and we love coming here,” Mr Ferrera, 51, said. “We enjoy the country’s rich Islamic traditions and we were excited to learn more about women in Islam.”
The mosque was built by Mohamed bin Yusuf Al Hasan and was inaugurated in 2018. It was designed by Turkish architects and it took a Bahraini company two years to build. The style of the two 55m tall conical minarets belongs to the Ottoman-style and there are a total of 12 domes which were made in the UAE.
The doors, made of teak wood, were custom made in India and the carpet and the 21 chandeliers were made in Turkey.
The mihrab (prayer niche) belongs to the Egyptian style and was made by Egyptian engineers and specialists. It is the biggest in Bahrain with a diameter of 3.6m.
The mosque includes two prayer halls, a Quran centre, two function halls, a media centre and housing for the imam, the muezzin and workers. The mosque can accommodate 2,000 worshippers in the prayer halls and the porticos.
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