NORWICH, England – Protesting the closure of their prayer room before Ramadan, Muslim students at the University of East Anglia held Friday prayer in the middle of their campus, protected by scores of their non-Muslim classmates who came to show support.
“We have just found out that the University is not only taking away the Friday Prayer Space in Blackdale for Muslim students on the eve of Ramadan, but also permanently taking away the Muslim daily prayer space in Lecture Theatre 2, to be replaced with a corridor to the Library. This has been done with zero Muslim student consultation or input,” a petition by University of East Anglia Islamic Society read.
“The University, which has been expanding its numbers, is trying to convince us that the already crowded Multi-Faith Centre will somehow fit all current students of faith.”
The petition has received more than 5,000 signatures so far.
During prayer service last Friday, May 20, scores of Non-Muslim students formed a human chain around the congregation to protect it from security.
Supporting our Muslim colleagues in their mission to protect their prayer room #saveourspace pic.twitter.com/NIs6ErhbDJ
— Adam Kennerley (@Adam_Kennerley) May 19, 2017
#saveourspace photos from prayer in the square protest at UEA to support Muslim students who are losing their prayer space on campus pic.twitter.com/jQHqHuuHCY
— Natalie (@NFroome) May 19, 2017
Proud of my uni for coming together today to support the muslims who prayed outside to protest their facilities being shut #SaveOurSpace pic.twitter.com/dK2M374R1t
— Tai Rachel (@taiwhoa) May 19, 2017
A spokesperson from the University has said the Vice Chancellor would be meeting with students imminently to discuss the matter.
Shoayb Muhammad posted a video of the prayer on his Facebook page.