After Prayer Room Closure

Muslims Pray in Campus Protected by Non-Muslim Classmates

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.

 

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.