Imagine A Women's Only Bank - Only in the Islamic World

A client deposits her money with a bank teller at Babel private bank in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, October 22, 2009. In one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest cities, a bank has opened a branch only for women, hoping to tap a potentially large market and meet pent-up demand from Muslim women for financial services that meet their needs. Picture taken October 22, 2009.

Islamic society is so rigid - not surprising that it baffles Muslims [from Islamic world] that the rest of the world doesn't drop everything they are doing and take up Muslim ways and norms. In Saudi Arabia women were recently granted permission to enter a bank - with a male accompanying them.

A woman signs to withdraw money from Babel private bank in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, October 22, 2009.

A client receives money from a bank teller during a withdrawal transaction at Babel private bank in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad October 22, 2009.