Women's mosques


Women's mosques exist around the world, with a particularly rich tradition in China. As Islam has principles of segregating the sexes, many places of worship provide a dedicated prayer space for women within the main building, but in a few countries, separate buildings were constructed. In some cases, women were allowed to become imams.
In the 21st century, many countries have seen women-led or women-only mosques created, as part of liberal movements within Islam.

Asia

China

Women's mosques have existed in China for several hundred years. They can be found in the provinces of Henan, Shanxi and Hebei.
In China, separate women-only mosques were built by the Muslim communities. At the end of the Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty, Hui women had begun to form their own mosques. The oldest surviving nǚsì in China, is Wangjia Hutong Women's Mosque of Kaifeng, which dates to 1820.
For religious reasons, Hui communities had started to cultivate more theological learning among the women. As a result, a portion of the female Muslims who had experienced a religious education, gradually incorporated Islamic observances into their daily religious activities, and this produced the establishment of women's mosques.
By the 20th century, there were separate places of worship as women-only mosques. They are a special form of the sacred building, either as a separate institution or mosque attached to an existing larger mosque. Their managers are women, wives of the imam of a larger mosque. The commonly used title for it is Shiniang.
Female Islamic clerics are referred to as nü ahong in Chinese.
In the province of Henan:
Elsewhere: