re: #457 CuriousLurker

You can also come here and ask.

The gender segregation in mosques serves two basic purposes:

1.) Before & after the prayer to provide the women with a private place where they can remove their headscarves, breastfeed, chat, etc.

2.) The women’s area is typically either behind or above the men’s area. The reasoning is that it would be uncomfortable for the women and distracting for the men if they were in mixed company or if the women were in front of the men (because the prostration requires bending over, posterior in the air ;)).

The ladies, of course, will not be distracted by the sight of male behinds. Ladies are above such things.

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