University Of Iowa Makes Room For Muslim Students To Pray

The University of Iowa will reconfigure office space in the Iowa Memorial Union that will serve as prayer space for the school's Muslim faculty, staff and students. A spokesperson for the school's Muslim Student Association called it a "step in the right direction."

The two rooms are centrally located within the union and feature new carpet and paint. They can be accessed 24 hours a day. Each room can hold 15 to 20 people assembling for joint prayer. Students had been calling for more space for Muslim students to complete their daily prayers. They are required to pray five times a day, at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and night. School officials point out that any religious group may use the new rooms. The Danforth Chapel is also used by other religious organizations on campus.

The issue of prayer space has been a growing issue as the Muslim student population has grown at the school. A larger space for prayer may be needed in the future.

[via Iowa City Press-Citizen]