Spring Break
MSA granted temporary prayer space
Emily Iorg
Issue date: 9/16/02 Section: News
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The space would give them a place in which to follow their religious obligation of praying five times a day without having to leave the campus between classes to do so. In the meantime, the organization is using a room loaned to them for the next two months. The temporary prayer space is located in the African American History and Culture House at 5245 Rockhill Road.
At this point, no spaces are available on campus that will fully suit the needs of the MSA. Staff members are actively working to identify a space that fits the bill. Zauyah Waite, director of the Student Life Office, explained why finding a permanent prayer space on the campus has been so difficult.
"There's always something going on. The MSA needs the space from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day."
Members of the MSA are eager to have a permanent prayer space; MSA president Saeeda Safi has taken a great interest in the project, putting in the hours and spending time doing paperwork to make the prayer space possible.
Zeenat Hasan, a MSA member and year two medical student, said that with the diversity of the UMKC campus, members of the MSA (among other organizations) expect to find religious acceptance, in this case in the form of a prayer space: "It's a way for UMKC to help facilitate students' needs." Hasan discussed her positive experience at the temporary prayer space.
"I went to Friday prayers, and it was neat to see the students from different backgrounds. It was a good atmosphere."
While the MSA is the organization implementing the prayer room, Zauyah Waitez stresses that the space will be inclusive to everyone on campus.
"It is extremely important to note that it is not just a prayer room for Muslim students, but a meditation/prayer room that is open to anyone."
