EARLIER this year, America's first women-only mosque opened in Los Angeles, with the aim of "inspiring and empowering" Muslim women.

Now the Muslim Women's Council plans to open the UK's first women's mosque here in Bradford, with the aim of providing a space for learning and social interaction as well as worship.

The MWC's vision is a "spiritual retreat and sanctuary" where women can feel comfortable discussing issues that affect them and their families in daily life, such as divorce, bereavement, parenting and legal advice services. The space would be open to all women, regardless of faith.

The plans, currently under consultation, were announced this month at the Daughters of Eve conference, which brought together women from across the country to discuss issues including Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law.

The MWC set up the Bradford Mosque Project after carrying out an audit of facilities in the city's existing mosques. Bana Gora, MWC chief executive, said services offered by mosques weren't always adequate for women, and "rather than just complain, we decided to do something about it".

The MWC says Muslim women have long been marginalised by "male dominated, patriarchal" mosques, leading to frustration among women.

"In the Prophet's time the mosque was the centre of community life and learning and we hope to replicate that model including women-led congregational prayers for women," said Ms Gora. "Through the consultation process we intend to work with diverse organisations including the Council for Mosques to create the ethos and spirit of mosques during the Prophet's time."

Bradford Council for Mosques has declined to comment on the plan, pending discussions. But the president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association for Bradford North, Dr Mohammed Iqbal, said there was a tradition for women to lead prayers in their own groups. "The mosque is a mixed community and involves the whole community, men women and children. It is for bringing people together," he said.

An MWC statement said the new mosque would be the "first centre of excellence in promoting Islamic education and scholarship for Muslim women in the UK".

"Muslim women have a vital role to play in all aspects of public and private life, their participation has been prominent throughout Islamic history and in the current context the role of British Muslim Women has never been more important. Their influence within families and communities proves to be a key to positive economic and social change," it added.

"The marginalisation of women from UK mosques has far reaching consequences. Research carried out by MWC highlighted the need for women to engage in genuine critical scholarship which can help to contextualise Islam for the 21st century. This highlights a lack of quality scholarship among women. MWC believe this is a vital community asset for tackling social issues such as radicalisation and social cohesion."

Ms Gora added: “We’ve carried out an audit of local mosques focussing on services provided to women - above all access was the biggest problem. "Our results highlight that the majority of mosques follow a patriarchal model; poor access for women, women’s representation on governance structures was non-existent, on committees and boards, in segregated spaces that are dated and unwelcoming.

"The alienation that women feel has profound consequences for younger generations who are taught that Islam treats both men and women as spiritual equals, yet the practice within mosques contradicts the principles. In an era in which many young people feel that their faith is no longer relevant, or are going to extremes, we want to be able to provide a safe space for them to question, learn and grow while having an appreciation of their heritage as well as the opportunity to make informed choices relevant to the 21st century”.

The consultation is underway, but the MWC says: "What we do know for sure is that this space will be managed by women primarily for women. We disagree with the view of women leading mixed congregational prayers and this will not take place under the MWC umbrella.

"There are various options that we are consulting on - the detail is being discussed with local, national and international scholars and experts.

"Our intention is not to be divisive, nor to go against the values and principles of Islam, but to provide a space for the community which shows how women can lead and be included in places of worship and also impact positively on their families and communities."