I want to thank you Natalie for your personal experience and bravery in speaking out about the problematic aspects of the black church in your article.

In Islam, the principles of equality, mercy, and justice are highly emphasized. 🏵️🏵️
As Allah says in the Quran, "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." (Quran 49:13)

Islamic teachings also recognize the importance of mutual respect and encourage men and women to contribute to society's growth and development.
As stated in the Quran, "And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 9:71)

Regarding leadership roles in Islam, both men and women can hold positions of authority within religious and social spheres.
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Women are the twin halves of men." (Sunan Abu Dawud 236)

Islamic teachings acknowledge that leadership is not based on gender but on one's abilities, knowledge, and experience.
As Allah says in the Quran, "Indeed, the men who submit and the women who submit, the believing men and the believing women, the obedient men and the obedient women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and the humble women, the charitable men and the charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (Quran 33:35)

In Islam, it is the responsibility of the followers and the leaders to challenge sexist attitudes and promote equality for all members of the community.
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The believers, in their love, mutual kindness, and close ties, are like one body; when any part complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5665)
This means that Muslims are encouraged to prioritize the principles of respect, justice, and compassion, which align with the teachings of Islam, to build a just and equitable society.
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