They want all mosques in Durban and Johannesburg to open their doors to women while still adhering to the etiquette of the space. Woman should be able to attend prayers and lectures during those times‚ and should be allowed to pray in congregation‚ they said.

“It's ridiculous really. There is no Islamic basis for restricting access of women. What we are seeing is Indian men who are imposing their patriarchal culture on women without any basis. This culture is so entrenched in the community that it seems like its Islamic law.

“We don't see this in other Muslim communities. We don't see it in the Black Muslim community or in the Malay Muslim community‚” said Nelisiwe Msomi‚ a Muslim woman activist.

Msomi said not only does this oppress them spiritually; it so does emotionally and physically.

“The mosque is the centre of the Muslim community‚ and by excluding women‚ you are essentially ignoring our existence within the community‚” she said.

Part of the reasons why women are separated from men is to encourage both sexes to focus while in the presence of worship. These women say they are tired of how patriarchal Islam has become.

“It’s about not sexualising women in a holy space. As if our presence as women in the mosque is to turn men on. Rather than men focusing on their purpose of being at the mosque. They believe that women are better off praying at home. It's men who believe that a woman's place is at home. She shouldn't be working or socialising‚” Msomi said.

Referring to the Qur’an 7:31 scripture - which she quoted as saying‚ "Children of Adam‚ take your pleasantness to every Mosque" - Msomi said that “children” was “inclusive of all genders”.

TimesLIVE has made contact with the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa and the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa. Neither had commented by Tuesday evening. This story will be updated should they reply.