Muslim women are calling for a greater say running the Lebanese Muslim Association, accusing the influential New South Wales body of ignoring women's concerns.
While women can work for the organisation, they are excluded from being members and holding board positions.
The LMA is the caretaker for Lakemba Mosque in Western Sydney, one of the biggest mosques in Australia, and claims to have more than 1,000 members.
According to the constitution, written in 1961, members must be males over the age of 18, Muslim and of Lebanese heritage.
A petition signed by more than 300 people calls on the LMA board to ask members to vote on an amendment to allow women and Muslim people of diverse cultures to join.
"The LMA constitution is so old it was typed on a typewriter," the petition states.
"Our communities, our cultures and our values are evolving, so it's time for representation and inclusion."
Yash Kammoun, who worked at the LMA for four years before resigning in February, told ABC Radio Sydney change is overdue.
"The issues that are kind of associated with women, the men are making those decisions, not women, and women don't have the voice to make those decisions, and that's what we're trying to change."
She cited the board's decision to allow only men to return to Lakemba mosque when it reopened after the COVID shutdown with capacity restrictions. Women were excluded as men took over the mosque's women's section.
"I sent an email saying, 'This is not OK. Women still have the right to come in and worship, even if it's at a reduced capacity.' And I didn't even get a response," she said.
Ms Kammoun expected women to receive criticism for supporting the petition.
"I think it's very brave and courageous for these women, because I tell you, they will be receiving some backlash from this," she told Breakfast presenter James Valentine.
LMA says female staff make 'invaluable contribution'
The petition comes ahead of the election of board members at its annual general meeting next month, with women calling on members to vote out current leaders if they do not act.
"We need to start this conversation," Ms Kammoun said.
LMA secretary Gamel Kheir said that the LMA was a "community-based religious organisation" that was "formed and practices its religious principles, in our instance Islam".
"Our incorporation provides a structure for members to determine any matters proposed."
He said 80 per cent of its more than 40 employees were women, including some in senior leadership positions.
"It is their invaluable contribution to which we remain indebted, that delivers vital culturally appropriate programs and services to our children, women and families [women's shelter, child minding/parental programs, education, food/essentials to name only a few]."
Ms Kammoun disputed Mr Kheir's statement, saying it was important to separate culture and religion.
"A lot of the times, Muslim men conflate culture with religion. So culturally, they might not want Muslim women to be in places of leadership, but Islam as a religion elevates the woman."
