Why some mosques are closed to women during Ramadan

Millions of Muslims around the world are currently observing Ramadan. But some mosques in the UK are not allowing women inside to pray. Some say it is time for change.

While many families pray together at home, worship in mosques tends to be gender segregated, with many people believing that allows people time to focus on prayer.

Sometimes women will pray behind men in the same space. More often, mosques will have two separate rooms for each gender to pray in, with the men in the main prayer hall and the women in an alternative space.

Other mosques have changed their stance. The Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre had originally planned to be men-only — but changed its policy after a conversation around women’s access to mosques began to emerge online at the start of Ramadan.