Muslim service led by woman in UK draws protests

A handful of protesters demonstrated Friday against a woman leading a Muslim prayer service - the first time such a service has been held publicly in Britain. US scholar Amina Wadud led about a dozen male and female worshippers in prayer at a conference hall in Oxford. The service took place before a university conference on women and Islam. Critics said Wadud shouldn't have led the service, because she is a woman and because men and women attended. Muslim practice holds only men should lead services in which men are present.