A new movement in America is challenging mosque culture. “Progressive Islam” is a new wave of a moderate form of the religion, and it is rapidly growing. Its adherents are a younger generation of diverse American Muslims, many of whom describe themselves as “culturally Muslim”. Some of them are shaking up Islamic centers nationwide with their ideas, and raising eyebrows along the way. Centered in major cities like New York and San Francisco, Progressive Muslims are challenging what they see as rigid, conservative practices which they claim, aren’t Islamic at all, and give Islam a bad name in a post 9-11 world. One of the biggest issues of contention is women’s rights. For example, the majority of mosques in America, and in the world, have held a consensus since the founding of Islam in the 7th century that the Friday congregational prayer service is segregated by gender, and should be led by a male leader or “Imam”. But last March, that changed.

A new movement in America is challenging mosque culture. “Progressive Islam” is a new wave of a moderate form of the religion, and it is rapidly growing. Its adherents are a younger generation of diverse American Muslims, many of whom describe themselves as “culturally Muslim”. Some of them are shaking up Islamic centers nationwide with their ideas, and raising eyebrows along the way. Centered in major cities like New York and San Francisco, Progressive Muslims are challenging what they see as rigid, conservative practices which they claim, aren’t Islamic at all, and give Islam a bad name in a post 9-11 world. One of the biggest issues of contention is women’s rights. For example, the majority of mosques in America, and in the world, have held a consensus since the founding of Islam in the 7th century that the Friday congregational prayer service is segregated by gender, and should be led by a male leader or “Imam”. But last March, that changed.