Things do change.

It’s a startling sight in Egypt, where mosques have long been a man’s realm. The few Egyptian women who appeared at mosques in the past had come to pray _ usually in small, partitioned-off corners _ or to make appeals at the shrines of holy figures, hoping for marriage, pregnancy or good grades for their children.

While men often socialize in mosques, women have traditionally been encouraged to practice their religion at home, where they can care for their children and husband.

“When I was young, we wouldn’t even go to pray in the mosque,” said Khairy, the teacher. “It was a place for us to tour on holidays, like visitors.”

Now, with religiosity increasing in Egypt overall, more women want to engage in public prayer, increase their knowledge of Islam and do volunteer work in the community. Many Egyptian women already have had to balance their traditional place in the home with public roles at universities and jobs, so they tend to ask, “Why not a place in the mosque as well?”