“The lack of separate areas for women in Mosques and Shrines is evident in the overall layout. Only a few Mosques and Shrines provide the necessary space and facilities for women. Even these have limited space and poor maintenance. The situation is limited to cities and major towns in the Kashmir valley. This is where separate areas for women can be found in Mosques and Shrines.”
Proper space for women in Mosques and Shrines in Kashmir remains a largely neglected issue despite growing awareness about gender inclusivity in religious spaces. While Islam encourages communal worship for both men and women, and many Muslim-majority regions have facilities that accommodate female worshippers, Kashmir continues to lag behind in this regard. Presently, space for women in Mosques and Shrines is available only in some top Mosques and Shrines in Srinagar city and a few major towns of the Kashmir valley. Even in these cases, the spaces are often minimal, poorly maintained, or used only during special occasions such as Ramadan or festivals. The majority of Mosques and Shrines across urban and rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir do not provide any designated prayer areas for women, effectively excluding them from participating in collective worship (Jamat prayers) and spiritual gatherings. One of the main contributing factors to this exclusion is the failure of the Waqf Board to build separate spaces for prayers for women at the Mosques and Shrines controlled and managed by it. As a powerful religious body that oversees some of the most prominent religious sites in the region, the Waqf Board has the authority and resources to bring about meaningful change, but such initiatives have not been prioritized. Moreover, local masjid management committees, which oversee neighbourhoodMosques, also have the autonomy and capability to construct such spaces, yet few take proactive steps toward inclusive development. These shortcomings reflect both administrative apathy and deeply ingrained social norms that often limit women’s visibility in public religious life. However, providing proper space for women in these sacred spaces is not just a matter of infrastructure but a much-needed reform that can help develop a culture of Jamat prayers for women across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Kashmir is known for a deep spiritual heritage and devotion. Gender-based exclusion should not exist in places of worship. Providing proper space for prayers to women in Mosques and Shrines is essential. This inclusion supports the spiritual rights of half the population and significantly it also promotes a more just and balanced religious environment in Kashmir.”
This inclusion would not only allow women to participate more actively in religious and spiritual life but also empower them socially by reinforcing their equal status in the faith. If religious leaders, civil society, and management bodies come together with a vision for equitable participation, Mosques and Shrines in Kashmir can become more inclusive and representative of the entire Muslim community. Creating such spaces would require thoughtful planning to ensure privacy, safety, and respect for religious guidelines, but it is entirely feasible and essential in today’s time. The reform could start with awareness campaigns, community discussions, and small pilot projects in key locations, eventually expanding to a larger network of Mosques and Shrines throughout the region. In a valley known for its deep spiritual heritage and devotion, there should be no place for gender-based exclusion in spaces meant for worship and reflection. Ultimately, ensuring proper space for women in Mosques and Shrines is a step toward fulfilling the spiritual rights of half the population and bringing about a more just and balanced religious environment in Kashmir.
