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Students protest over Newcastle University’s restrictions on Muslim prayer space

One student said they feel ‘betrayed’


For over 30 years, Newcastle University has provided Muslim prayer spaces for its students which have been effectively managed by the Newcastle University Islamic Society (ISOC).

However, in July, the university announced the King George VI building – a space which provided a much-used Muslim Prayer Room – would be closed due to asbestos, with only three weeks notice and with no mention of an alternative.

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At the time, the Newcastle University Islamic Society expressed their concerns toward the University's inaction in providing an alternate to the King George VI building. The society were also troubled to hear the news that the University would be re-opening the space as a multi-faith room, which would be directly managed by the University rather than ISOC.

The University decided they would appoint a coordinator who would oversee the new multi-faith centre. The University would then carry out a three-month consultation period to form a "Task and Finish Group" who would ultimately formulate a long term multi-faith solution.

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As stated in a recent online petition, ISOC said this consultation period "provided some reassurance to Muslim students as the threat of not having a dedicated Muslim prayer space on campus was possibly reduced."

However, five days before the re-opening of the King George VI building, the University implemented some changes under the new management which did not seem to reflect the needs of its Muslim students.

More details of these restrictions can be seen in the petition but included are opening times which do not accommodate the five daily obligatory prayers. The general public are banned from entering the space unless accompanied by a student – a rule not seen applied across all campus buildings. Additionally, male and female students must now use the same entrance – something which was not required before.

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A protest held by Newcastle University students

So far ISOC have received over 2000 signatures for this petition, titled 'Newcastle University: Bring Back The Competent Muslim Prayer Space We Once Had'. This petition alleges that the University deleted their "faith space" policy just days after Muslim students and staff held a peaceful objection prayer outside the closed prayer space.

Last week, the BBC carried out a report highlighting the impact the University's restrictions on prayer space is having on students. Idris Musa, the Islamic Society secretary, told the BBC "I feel betrayed", whilst another student said "I feel like I'm not really important as a person at university."

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In terms of future plans and developments, a Newcastle University spokesperson told The Tab: "In the past 18 months the University has faced a number of unexpected building issues which have impacted upon faith-based space provision, affecting both Windsor Terrace and King George VI Prayer Space.

"We are aware of the expressed desire for 24/7 prayer space facilities within the University. However, as there have been some operational difficulties with the King George VI Prayer Space – such as members of the public sleeping in there overnight and others trying to gain access not for prayer purposes – we have invested in a staff member whose role it is to ensure the health and safety of our student and staff users across all faith spaces.

"Part of this management is to temporarily alter the custom of the prayer space being open 24/7, while the University takes the time to form a Student and Staff Multi-Faith Space Task and Finish Group. This Group will meet from November onwards to look at the needs of all faith groups within the University and will also consider the issue of opening hours.

"The aim of this group is to ensure suitable provision in line with a Higher Education Institution setting and it should report its findings and recommendations no later than January 2018."

If you want to sign ISOC's petition, sign here.

Photo Credit: Newcastle University Islamic Society Facebook Page