Women pray in a balcony overlooking the main (men's) prayer space. It's a long, narrow space. When I was there it wasn't enough space for all of the women who wanted to pray and sisters ended up praying on the landing and stairs next to it. You can hear what is going on below but cannot see any of it unless you are right up close to the balcony. Grubby carpeting could use a steam cleaning or replacement. The balcony is walled in with thin plexiglass - solidly constructed but not that attractive. The space below is several times larger - kind of like a high school gym. Decoration in both spaces is sparse. Sister's balcony contains a bookshelf, stuffed with books. The mosque building is very large, encompassing an Islamic school and gymnasium space as well as prayer rooms. The attendees in the women's section when I was there were largely Somali and Arab. Okay, mosque but not the best space or access for sisters and very well-worn.

ruhafsa

2005-11-01