In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

> Women **had begun** to outnumber men **as** the *namaz* began at the shrine.

We usually use:

> **(Past simple + as + past sample)**
> **(Past perfect + before + past simple)**



> I had finished speaking to her **before** I got off the bus.

> The light went out **as** I plugged in the charger.


If I use **before** instead of **as** in the newspaper sentence.

Thanks in advance.