At this mosque in Berlin, burqas are banned and women and gay are allowed to pray

Religion and inclusivity don't usually go hand in hand. While most religions around the world are averse to homosexuality, many places of worship don't allow men and women to pray together. So, all in all, segregation on basis of gender, caste, creed, and sexual orientation dominates most faiths--all thanks to the religious police.

However, in Berlin, things are changing for the better. According to a report published in Associated Press (AP), dozens of people came together to inaugurate a new house of prayer. And do you know what's so special about it? Well, in this house of God, women and men, Sunni and Shiite, straight and gay--everyone can pray together.

Mosquée Ibn Rushd-Goethe, une première mosquée progressiste ouvre à #Berlin https://t.co/agxNtE20fq pic.twitter.com/3WG0xXMAFO

- algeriades (@algeriades) June 16, 2017

Now, this is comes as a pleasant surprise because most mosques don't allow women to enter the premises, let alone allow them to pray alongside of men. But, at Ibn Rushd-Goethe mosque, which has been set up by lawyer and women's rights activist Seyran Ates, not only there's no segregation but there is a total ban on burqa too. Yup, women here are not forced to cover their heads and faces.

Moabit Liberale Ibn-Rushd-Goethe-Moschee ist eröffnet - Berliner Zeitung https://t.co/Q9hfrNJC9A pic.twitter.com/kBwSFWDiej

- Berliner Bären (@berlinerbaeren) June 16, 2017

"No one will be let in with a niqab or burqa veil. It is our belief that full-face veils have nothing to do with religion, but rather are a political statement," said Ates in an interview to the Independent.

"A Muslim was reported to us who was frightened by the backwardness and hatred that prevails here in many prayer houses. Muslim students who are from more liberal environments deny their religion, so as not to be harassed by conservative Muslims. We have to address this and counter it. You can only achieve change through setting an example, opening doors, in a space where every question can be asked," she added.

Well, here's hoping that other countries too follow Ates's example and open more 'liberal mosques' like that in Berlin.

Also read: What do you do when American female senators ignore Muslim women's testimonies on Islam, and choose to question the men instead?

Also read: Women in Iran are wearing white on Wednesdays to protest against compulsory hijab