Umm probably showing my cultural ignorance here however the Blog has a category called “Friendliness Towards Women.” Nice. Loved the part from his Belmont Mosque visit regarding this: “They used the same entrance as the men, but were forced into a room with a door, thus ensuring we would neither hear them nor see them.” So awesome!

I trust Michael that you are being sarcastic...this is not good or awesome that in 2011 right here in our community women are treated like animals. I don't think the Patch was intending this to expose the Mosque as a place where equality is fantasy however that is how the Blog reads (however seems like things were much much worse). I would expect this attitude towards women in other countries however this is the United States. It is just me or are other women outraged. Doesn't seem like anyone wants to talk about this.

Are the women free to leave their religion or husband at any time with the kids--due to abuse or being treated like "animals" as you say? If not, there is a problem. Even though I respect all religions--providing their is no abuse or neglect--I wonder what the husbands do if the wives said they've had enough? Now, if there is no abuse or neglect, the women can leave, but the kids stay!

Oh, please, I've known Catholic, Protestant and Jewish men who treat their wives and children badly. Some use religion as their excuse, but it's not their faith that's the problem.

True, men of all walks of life can be despicable. Women, too, can be very abusive, just in case you were unaware. Their abuse goes unreported and tolerated much, much more!

Yes Alice. Sarcasm. Jim Crow would be proud of our Belmont Community. Very 1876. Back to the future! Love it.

Heidi & Chris: Agreed there are "Dogs" in all walks of life regardless of race, religion, creed, etc. What is interesting here is there seems to be a systematic degradation of women. I’m certainly not an expert on culture and religion. I only read the Blog which had a subtext of “offbeat and loving look at a multi faceted world.” I had a very different emotional reaction (not offbeat or loving) to the article and was left with my mouth ajar. I’m a dude so I don’t have dog in this fight but figured I’d stand up for my lady friends. I found it interesting that specific segments of society get away with this crap while others are called to the carpet.

Degregation of women? As a rule, women are put on a pedastal and rarely criticized in almost all walks of life. They are tantamount to Godzilla who can do as they please, when they please. I wrote to 2 additional blogs on women, and Drew is hesitant to post them because any criticism of a woman is met with ostracization. She doesn't want that backlash. Maybe she's right, as if you guys are getting overly sensitive on my (and others) not exaulting women for doing as they please, when they please, those blogs of mine would need to be taken down soon after being put up due to SSF Patch having too much traffic. You guys will go for my jugglar! This is a discussion, a friendly debate, not a war. But, please, don't get me started on men's rights, as we have none! I'll talk all your ears off. The fact is, women are treasured in this world, and men are not. I eagerly welcome a debate here, because I know I'll win! However, nothing would change, so in the end, my victory won't matter. Sorry for any spelling errors herein...

Zuhair set out to take stock of diversity -- diversity -- from one mosque to another. Clearly, he found plenty. That was his point. Are all churches alike? All synagogues? We know they're not. Yet we continue to assume all Muslims and all mosques are alike.

Incidentally, men and women pray separately in the Muslim faith, as do Orthodox Jews. That in itself does not mean women (or men) are held in contempt by the other gender. Zuhair clearly found a couple mosques that did sound misogynistic, like the one Michael cited.

But that is not unique to Islam. Only recently have women been accepted as spiritual leaders in many denominations. And in some, it is still considered out of the question.

And, he did a wonderful job, as did you reporting on his findings. If people show emotion and care, they will read your article and comment with passion. That has happened here, and clearly your article piques peoples' interests aplenty. Good work!

Yep, all interesting articles have comments that go on tangents. One thought begets another, and another, and so on. Next thing you know an article on the Navy turns into comments on churches.