An activist has revealed his plans to have a liberal mosque opened in Oslo within the year.
According to the brain behind the idea, the mosque will accommodate various types of persons including men and women praying side by side, gay and transgender people, and female preachers.
“The mosque should be a place open to anyone who feels that they do not fit into ordinary mosques,” activist Thee Yezen al-Obaide told Vart Land. “Women, men, trans people, homosexuals, heterosexuals – everyone will be welcome.”
The mosque will be called ‘Masjid al-Nisa’ which translates to ‘the Women’s Mosque’. According to the activist, the mosque will be designed as not as “an opposition to other mosques, but as an initiative that can expand an already existing diversity.” This is contained in a statement published on the activists websit, Skeiv Verden (Queer World) organization, which promotes the interests of LGBTQ people from minority backgrounds.
The Organisation is reported to have created an informal network for gay Muslims in the country.
Local report noted al-Obaide, the activist to have said: “I want to start a feminist mosque where women have as much space as men. Both men and women are allowed to lead prayer, and all sexes can pray in the same room, side by side,” al-Obaide said, adding that women “can speak for themselves.”
al-Obaide further added that many have wished to have a liberal mosque where people from various backgrounds, sexual orientation and others can meet without prejudice.
He noted that the idea behind it is to provide those “breaking society norms” with the “freedom to practice their faith.”
The Women’s Mosque is expected to open its doors in Oslo within the year.