Piece Description

A new movement is challenging mosque culture in America. "Progressive Islam" is a new moderate form of the religion, and it is growing rapidly. 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 gvie Islam a bad name in the post 9-11 world. One of the biggest issues of contention is women's rights. For example, most mosques in America and worldwide have agreed since the founding of the religion in the 7th century that the Friday prayer service should be segregated by gender and led by a male leader or "Imam." But that is all changing. For the first time ever, in a recent mixed-sex Muslim service in New York City, a woman led the prayer. KALW News reporter Hana Baba (Hana sounds like Hannah, with emphasis on the second syllable, BAH-bah) has the story.