As a lady, I always cover my head in a mosque as a sign of respect, take off my shoes at the entrance and do not enter if I am menstruating.

Only good manners.

I visited some Mosques in Konya and Karaman last year and I covered my hair and took off my shoes. As said above, its only respect and respect costs nothing.

Cant say I have ever heard about not entering when menstruating though.

I would never enter a mosque or, for that matter, a christian church without covering my head ...... a headscarf for a mosque and a hat for a church! Would also remove my shoes before entering a mosque or a traditional turkish home. Respect costs nothing.

I'm glad to hear people on here agree with me. I was shocked to read that some women were refusing to wear headscarves, stating reasons like "women's rights" etc. for not doing so! I was also shocked to read of some women inside mosques messing about taking photos of each other pretending to pray on prayer mats goodess knows what the locals thought of that!

As you say prawn, respect costs nothing.

I can't believe anyone would behave in such a disrespectful manner. I'm an atheist, but my personal views don't mean I don't respect other people's values and beliefs. I've not yet visited a mosque, but I certainly plan on doing so at some point, and would of course do so with due courtesy and respect. I would behave similarly if I was visiting any religious building - I wouldn't dream of being disrespectful or offending anyone. It's not even about your own beliefs - surely it's a simple matter of common courtesy and good manners and respecting the views of your hosts.

Cant say I have ever heard about not entering when menstruating though.

This was made clear to those of us on a PGCE course in Birmingham in 1978 who were about to visit a mosque to learn about Islam as many of the children we were likely to teach would come from an islamic family background.

I think that it would be hard to 'prove' but it's simply another matter of courtesy!

I'm glad to read of some other members who are happy to respect other people's faiths and customs.

I must admit I have never heard of not entering whilst menstruating either - and I am married to a muslim! Obviously something he forgot to tell me I will know now though.

Some of the girls in the school i work in have to do extra Ramadan days if they have had their monthlys during it,,,,,,,
i have been to a couple of indian weddings and have taken shoes off and covered my head, infacti had a traditional costume made for the occasion,,, loads cheaper than buying a "wedding outfit," and the look on the mums face when in thier house fully garbed up was great!!
ony problem i had was keeping it on me head, used too much serum on me hair i think and it was forever sliding off,

I also am an Aetheist but that does not mean I do not respect other people's culture and religion, I would wear a headscarf for the same reason I would not sunbathe topless at my hotel, respect.

Exactly, Jozzy - that's what it's all about - showing respect for other people, whether you are at home or in another country. A bit of consideration and thought is all that's needed.