An endorsement of the subjugation of women from the Merc kind of surprises me.

D,

I don't equate Islam with the subjugation of women. Painting an entire religion with one broad stroke is the kind of ignorant bigotry that hopefully an open, inviting space like a community center will help erode.

I agree with you, and don't mean to sound bigoted or paint with too broad of a brush, I was just referring to the cloaked figures in the image.
The issues of women in the U.S. and local Islamic community would make an interesting story for the paper, on something a lot of Portlanders probably don't know a whole lot about.

Those figures could be Eastern Orthodox babushkas, or members from any of the number of conservative mainstream religions that encourage certain forms of traditional dress for women. Hell, some conservative Catholic congregations prescribe a form of head covering for women in church.

It ain't an exclusively Islamic issue.

I support the construction of this masjid and the congregation that is building it but Sarah needs to do some fact checking before she slams "D".

From Muslim Community Center of Portland (2006) Profile. http://pluralism.org/profiles/view/73559

"In 2003, the Muslim Community Center taxed its working members to purchase the building adjacent to it, so that they could once again separate the spaces in which men and women pray" ... "Men and women have separate entrances leading to separate prayer rooms that are adjoined inside by a middle door. The women’s side has a small library and a classroom in addition to the prayer room, while the men’s side has just a large prayer room."

Does Sara support the segregation of men and women for worship because this is clearly the position advocated by the congregation.

Segregation, despite being a loaded word at this point, is not the same thing as subjugation, which is the phrase Smirk used. You may look no further than a public restroom for examples of gender segregation in our own culture.

Even as America's whitest city, historically there have been places such as churches, businesses or the exisiting Muslim Community Center (yup, one of those already exists, it just doesn't look fancy enough for Brian Libby to comment on) etc, where "minorities and marginalized people" have gone and felt comfortable here.
Its just that these days alot of the folks who comprise the community that breathes life into these places have now been scattered to the fringes of town as North and inner-NE becomes more trendy.

I can't give that design any compliments - it looks very dated to me! Doesn't it look a lot like the 1970's-style Immanual Christian Fellowship Church in NE?
http://tinyurl.com/yl4ureb

@ Reymont: ummm, no. but thanks for playing.

Yay for diversity. Boo for more belief in sky pixies and generally causing misery for all the people around the world for whom this earthly existence is (as far as ANYONE knows) is the only one.

"The plans for the building look gorgeous, but break with traditional mosque design. Rather than being centered around a dome, the building is an series of horizontal masonry layers meant to create openness."

Good plan. If any group loves drastic change to traditional concepts it's the Muslims.

"Segregation, despite being a loaded word at this point, is not the same thing as subjugation...."

Wow! Tell that to those advocating gay marriage.

Heads up all you tolerant lefties. I am a female who once approached a male Muslim member of this very community, which now is on NE MLK, Jr. Blvd. He knows me. With a warm smile I stuck out my hand in friendship and he scowled at me, staring, saying, "We are not permitted to shake hands with women." This Muslim is an American-born guy. You need to get real. Get educated and fast before it's too late. I suggest you read books by Robert Spencer. His newest is, "The Complete Infidel's Guide To The Koran." Also, books by Italian political journalist, now deceased, Oriana Fallaci.