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Catholic high school opens Muslim prayer room

By editor on September 18, 2012 12:46 am in Oddly Enough / 5 comments

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Ana Paula Fernandes stands in what will soon become a Muslim prayer room at the Catholic school in London.

Mother Teresa Catholic secondary school is turning a second-floor office into an Islamic prayer room — the first high school in the city, private or public, to do so.

Carpet will soon cover the tile flooring, speakers will be installed and prayer mats purchased to provide the school’s Muslim students, estimated at around two dozen, with a quiet and private place to pray.

The idea has been in the works since the end of the last school year after a group of Muslim students lobbied administration to create the space.

“They’re members of our school community. We want to ensure that all our students feel welcome, that they feel that they belong,” said Principal Ana Paula Fernandes.

The prayer room, expected to be completed by the end of September, is located on a busy stretch on the second floor, just metres from the school’s large chapel.

“That was very important to ensure that it was included in the main building, and not tucked away somewhere,” Fernandes said.

Grade 12 student Amir Farhi, 17, was part of the group that led the push for the prayer room.

“We do have quite a bit of Muslims in this school who find it hard to practice their religion,” he said. “Having this prayer room, it’s easy for them to do their Friday prayers.”

Though Muslims pray facing Mecca, Saudi Arabia, five times a day, the room will mainly be used Fridays, the holiest day of the week in Islam. [more]

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5 Comments

John Wolfe says:

November 5, 2012 at 5:23 pm

catholic: Adjective: (esp. of a person’s tastes) Including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.

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W T Due says:

September 22, 2012 at 7:34 pm

This principal should familiarize herself with Sura 9, Verse 29, Part 2 “Repentance” in the Qur’an
Review The Pact of Umar:
Christians will:

1. Allow Muslims to rest “in our churches whether they come by day or night”;
2. “Open the doors [of our houses of worship] for the wayfarer and passerby”;
3. Provide board and food for “those Muslims who come as guests” for three days;
4. “Respect Muslims, move from the places we sit in if they choose to sit in them” – shades of Jim Crow;
5. “Have the front of our hair cut, wear our customary clothes wherever we are, wear belts around our waist” – these are so that a Muslim recognizes a non-Muslim as such and doesn’t make the mistake of greeting him with As-salaamu aleikum, “Peace be upon you,” which is the Muslim greeting for a fellow Muslim;
6. “Be guides for Muslims and refrain from breaching their privacy in their homes.”

Review some recent history as well. Consider the ill treatment of Coptic Christians in Egypt today or review the fate of Catholic monks who were massacred by Muslims in Algeria in the 90s. All compliant dhimmi’s in the misguided attempt at tolerance for Muslim sensitivities which are NEVER reciprocated.

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Jerry says:

September 19, 2012 at 12:55 pm

What part of CATHOLIC school does the principal not understand?

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Michael Lilly says:

September 18, 2012 at 12:59 am

It seems a bit odd to open a Muslim prayer room in a Catholic secondary school, especially as the article does not mention whether similar facilities are or will be provided for Protestant Christian students attending the school. I do wonder if the situation were reversed (say Catholic students in a Muslim secondary school), if the same latitude and consideration would be accorded.

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Ned Sweeney says:

September 18, 2012 at 12:48 am

Will not happen in Islamic country. No problem unless it starts leading to something else or becomes mandatory. Catholicism 1st and foremost, especially with teachers.

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