London Heathrow's Single Prayer Room

[AceOfHearts]

Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 has one prayer room where men and women have to share.  This is from my last visit to the airport in August of this year. I have no problem with this and nor should any sane and rational individual.

Prostrating before our Creator is a fundamental part of being a true believer. There were Muslim men and women there who prayed on either side of the room. It was good to know that most were able to put aside silly 'build brick walls between men and women' notion behind and give due weight to worshipping our Sustainer.

There was a couple (I assume so) who approached the prayer room. The man was dressed western way and the woman completely covered in black. They both looked inside, and the woman wanted to go in for Salah but then decided to not do it. The man went in. I assume she never did perform her Salah afterwards. I would say there are a lot more people like her, men included who would not pray because there is the opposite gender present under the same roof.

What is the purpose of me writing this? Well, to highlight how traditional teachings which make up the theme of many so-called Islamic books and speaches of so-called Islamic speakers, can have so much negative influences on the minds of Muslims. It shows that these Muslims after taking so much of this traditional stuff, end up getting their priorities completely wrong - prostrating before Allah is a fundamental part of being a real believer. But devotion to baseless ideas leaves them to easily forgo this important act of worship. It begs the question, do they really devote themselves to Allah as the Qur'an commands them to?

[N. Truth Seeker]

I think (as anyone's would think) this is a fine idea.  The issue of men and women mingling shouldn't arise.  After all, there are several masjids where both genders pray in a single room or hall and under a single roof in to separate groups.  Not just in the west, but there are many such masjids in places like Iran, Turkey and Morroco.  i know that not everyone likes it.  As for such people, of course I don't believe in forcing them into something that doesn't make them comfortable, but they should realise that all goodness evolves from intentions and motives. 

I also think it's a considerate move on the part of the Brits to approve of this.  If it's a new introduction, probably it's a friendly gesture from Mr. Gordon Brown who seems a much more understanding man than his predecessor.  Compared to this, some months ago they made a foot washing sink for Muslims to make it easier for them to perform 'wadu' in an American university.  It had to be shut down after a few weeks.  All other commuities began screaming 'discrimination.'  They said that if such steps are taken for Muslims, arrangements should also be made for the convenience of people of other religions.  And as u might know, in America the spirit of the law is so lukewarm toward Muslims, that they agreed with the opposition. 

Walaikum as-salaam and peace

[Zainab_M]

Nice to know that Brits can after all be a little considerate toward Muslims sometimes.

Agree with you br.PT.  I too wouldn't coerce anyone into a situation they're not comfortable with .. neither would I want them to do that to me.  And yeah, read about the foot-washing sink for wadu removed from the washroom of an American university campus in CAIR newsletter.  I thought American lawmakers never caved-in to pressure.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was a set-up to show that they went so far but had to retract their decision as a gesture of complying with the wishes of the majority.  Very very sad situation!