<![CDATA[This study examines the controversy surrounding female-led mixed gender prayers, particularly the case led by Amina Wadud in New York on March 18, 2005, as it unfolded within digital space. Rather than assessing the juridical validity of female imams in Islamic law, this study investigates how the practice is debated, questioned, defended, and globally disseminated within the realm of religious discourse by various groups, such as academics, religious scholars or authorities, as well as the general public, which is documented in digital archives such as online news portals and digital library collections. Drawing on a progressive Islamic framework, this research aims to highlight changes in the production of religious meaning and to examine the forms of negotiation undertaken by spiritual authorities in the public sphere. Employing a qualitative method with a hermeneutic approach, this study identifies two main responses. First, rejection of female-led prayer is grounded in textual interpretations of hadith literature and the consensus (ijmā’) of classical fiqh. Second, defense for the practice is based on a contextual approach to gender justice and reinterpretation of Islamic sources. The analysis is conducted through three aspects: historicization, contextual text production, and public reception. The findings indicate that Wadud's case not only challenges the normative boundaries of religious authority but also stimulates global discussions about women's spiritual rights and patriarchal structures in religious practices. Furthermore, this practice serves as a valuable starting point in the history of contemporary Islamic discourse, particularly in terms of resistance to masculine interpretations and dominance within religious authority. This study offers a nuanced perspective on the legitimacy, interpretation, and transformation of inclusive religious traditions.]]>
