A woman's place?

24 May 2011 Last updated at 11:29 GMT By Rahila Bano BBC Asian Network The guidelines from MINAB have proved to be a challenge for some mosques Guidelines issued to UK mosques calling for women to have a greater role in their running have been criticised by an influential Islamic organisation.

The advice - sent out by the Mosque and Imams Advisory Board, MINAB - also asks for sermons to be held in English.

MINAB wants to reform and regulate Islamic places of worship.

But the Lancashire Council of Mosques said the advice was impractical and amounted to interference in privately run and funded places of worship.

MINAB was set up as a result of consultation between the government and Muslims after the 7/7 attacks on London. It represents 600 of the UK's 1,500 mosques. Its new guidelines were sent out last week.

The Lancashire Council of Mosques is not a member of MINAB but represents 103 mosques. Its chairman Salim Mulla said he could not see it being implemented by their members.

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Many communities practise segregation between men and women making it more difficult for women to come forward.”

End Quote Mustafa Baig Member of MINAB Mr Mulla said: "Muslim women are supposed to cover themselves and practically it's not possible and women themselves don't want to be part of management committees. Also Islamically, the prayer is not valid if it's not done in Arabic."

Many of the mosques were already engaging with women in other ways such as asking them to run madrassas for children.

"We see this as interference in privately run and funded places of worship" he said.

Culture shift

Mustafa Baig, a member of MINAB , who helped draw up the guidelines said they will monitor the mosques and if necessary carry out further consultation to find out why they are not implementing the proposals.

"There will have to be a major shift in culture to get women involved. Many communities practise segregation between men and women, making it more difficult for women to come forward."

Imam Zaffer Iqbal of the Madina Mosque in Levenshulme, Manchester which is a member of MINAB, said the proposals had been a major challenge for the mosque.

"We welcome the recommendations and would like women to get involved as they make up half of society.

Salim Mulla: Women don't want to join mosque management committees

"We have asked women to join our management committee and to get involved in the running of the community centre but we didn't get a response."

Muslims in Blackburn, where the majority of the Asian community are followers of Islam, have mixed views about the proposals.

Mohammed Nadeem, a Pakistani takeaway worker said: "I don't think women should be allowed when they're not even allowed to enter mosques. They should be at home."

Raeesa, a mother in her 20s said: "Women should have more power, they should be entitled to do what men do. Also sermons should be translated into English so that young people can understand them."

Her friend Riz agreed: "Women should have a say, they don't have to necessarily sit next to men but they should be heard."

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England land extra European place

Carlos Salcido was one of five Fulham players booked against Birmingham Fulham are likely to fill the extra place in the Europa League which Uefa has awarded England as part of the Respect Fair Play rankings.

The Cottagers are favourites as they are second in the Premier League fair-play table behind Chelsea, who have qualified for the Champions League.

Tottenham and Blackpool are also in contention, although Spurs could qualify through their league position.

The team who take the slot will play in the first qualifying round.

Norway topped the Uefa Respect Fair Play rankings, which are based on games played by a country's clubs and national team in Uefa competitions between 1 May 2010 and 30 April 2011.

England were second in the table and Sweden, in third, were also rewarded for their teams' conduct.

As well as yellow and red cards, the standings take into account assessments made by Uefa officials on criteria such as positive play, respect for the opposition, respect for the referee, behaviour of the crowd and team officials.

Fulham, who have not had anyone sent off in the league this season, had five players booked in Sunday's Premier League win at Birmingham.

However, they remain in pole position to be given England's place, which will be decided at the end of the season.

Tottenham are third in the Premier League fair-play table but they will automatically qualify for the Europa League if they beat Birmingham City at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Uefa rules stipulate that relegation is no barrier to entry, so Blackpool would still qualify, should they top the fair-play league, even if they were to drop to the Championship.

Aalesund of Norway and Sweden's Hacken have already been awarded their places in the first qualifying round, the first leg of which takes place on 30 June.

To reach the Europa League group stages, a team will have to play eight games - three two-leg qualifying rounds and a two-leg play-off - by 25 August.

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