NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Amina Wadud (R), a professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, leads both men and women in prayer 18 March 2005 at Synod House at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. Her action, which has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East, hopes to spotlight the "second-class status" of women in Muslim life. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images)