This is big.

Canadian woman to lead Muslim group

She's a Canadian. She's a convert. She's a scholar. She's a woman. She's an outspoken proponent of equality between the sexes, particularly within Islam. (With some degree of rationalization, to be sure; she doesn't disagree with the prohibition on women leading males in prayers, but argues that being able to lead female prayer services, which she may do, is an equal task.)

Electing a new President with all of these qualities sends important messages about where the North American Muslim population, as represented by this, the largest and oldest Muslim organization on the continent, is, and where it wants to go as part of these multicultural democracies.

No, she still can't lead males in prayer in a mosque. But her election may mean that that limitation, too, will begin feeling feeling the hot, impatient breath of progress on its neck.

ronnie