I note the comments of Robert Dowds TD, who “encouraged introspection in the Ahmaddiya community regarding a deep-seated gender divide which sees men and women observe religious services separately”.

I would like to state that our female community members feel more comfortable and content in their own separate environment.

Even female guests, who are not members of the community, sometimes worry about the segregation, but afterwards they have remarked on numerous occasions that they too came to enjoy being separate and felt more liberated and independent.

Our Women Auxiliary Organisation is actively involved in the community’s overall affairs and the organisation is run by ourselves, which underlines its independence.

Some of the events organised by us include “Interfaith Programmes” to promote dialogue. We also organise “Meena Bazaars” (fun fairs) all over Ireland, in which we introduce and promote our culture to the Irish community.– Yours, etc,

TAYYABA MASHOOD,

National President,

Women’s Auxiliary

Organisation,

Ahmadiyya Muslim

Association Ireland,

Leopardstown Rise,

Dublin 18.