Race, Religion, Ethnicity or Culture: Isac Guerrero

 

As I continue to travel through the various cities of Morocco, what strikes me most isn’t just the call to prayer echoing or the spices in the food—it’s the respectful behavior on gender roles that are lived out in public spaces. There’s a natural connection to the way men and women interact that feels intentional and closely tied to Islam . 

One of the first times I noticed the emphasis was during the visit to the Hassan II Mosque. Though I practice, I observed the prominence of men entering through one door and women through another. The prayer areas are completely separated—divided by levels and different carpet. And prior, I understood that this separation isn’t about inequality but equity. Although, Morocco added to this wisdom and it being about modesty, focus and respect. Prayer is deeply personal connection with Allah, especially in sujud, and the separation is meant to protect that connection from distraction. From many scholars of Islam, this sense of protective separation extends into other areas of life such as work and the wear of modest clothing. 

Men still dominate many public-facing roles, but women are active in government, education and agricultural business. In some settings such as Berry, there are women-only teams or spaces. And this is not to restrict, but to create comfort and safety, especially in some conservative regions. What might look like gender segregation through Western lens often feels, to many Islamic women, like a form of dignity and care. Islamic values emphasize protecting individuals from discomfort or moral compromise—something reflected in dress codes, interactions and design of public spaces (Sodani, 2005). But what’s stands out to me is the quiet, deliberate respect woven into daily life. 

References

Sodani, Yusuf. “Women, work, and Islam in Arab societies.” Women in management review 20.7 (2005): 498-512.