stephanie
01-15-2007, 05:26 PM
Muslims say they need quiet room at Welsh-Ryan
Dan Fletcher and Paul Takahashi's date: 1/9/07 Section: CampusPrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 By Dan Fletcher and Paul Takahashi
The Daily Northwestern
Amid the cheering Northwestern football fans at Ryan Field, all Asghar Wasi wanted was a quiet place to pray. The only place he could find was a spot of less-than-clean floor in a public walkway.
"We had to pray in front of the concession stand, in front of all the people," the McCormick junior said.
Perhaps someone noticed. At last Wednesday's ASG meeting, the Muslim-cultural Students Association proposed a bill establishing a designated prayer area at Welsh-Ryan Arena for Muslim students for football and basketball games.
McSA President Amir Siddiqui estimates more than 20 Muslim students are in attendance at nearly every game.
"Oftentimes while students are at sporting events, the prayer time falls during the game," the Weinberg senior said. "If there was a space to pray, or even an opportunity for students to leave and re-enter, things would be better. Right now, it can be difficult."
John Mack, associate athletic director of external affairs, said McSA contacted him about the problem as early as mid-October. Despite discussing the request in staff meetings, Mack said they couldn't provide a solution.
"This is a request we took seriously," he said. "We appreciate all student support, but we didn't feel there was a suitable area for prayer. There's not enough space in the arena."
Mack said the athletic department doesn't allow any spectators to leave and re-enter the facilities during an event.
"When you give preferential treatment, while respecting their group's religion, it's tough to determine where to draw the line in terms of our entire fan base," he said.
Regardless, some Muslim students said the current rules present an inconvenience that warrants more discussion.
"Right now, we have to pray late afterwards or early and it's annoying," said Ramah Kudaimi, a Medill senior. "It's a lot more convenient to have a designated area than having to pray at different times."
Kudaimi said she occasionally uses the designated prayer area in Parkes Hall on Friday, the Muslim holy day. Another area was established in the Technological Institute for a similar purpose.
"It's a lot more comfortable for other students who may not want to come upon someone praying," she said.
Siddiqui said he hopes the ASG resolution, if passed, will open up a dialogue with the athletic department.
"If we just had an opportunity to talk, we could find a solution," he said.
For his part, Mack said he would be willing to listen again. He doubts, however, that much can be changed for this season.
But Wasi, who frequents the prayer area at Tech five days a week, wishes it were different.
"All I want is a little bit of privacy, he said. "Carpets would be nice. It doesn't need to be soundproof, just clean."
Reach Dan Fletcher at danfletcher@northwestern.edu and Paul Takahashi at ptakahashi@northwestern.edu.
http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.com/media/storage/paper853/news/2007/01/09/Campus/Prayer.Space.Requested-2606308.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailynorthwestern.c om&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com
Dan Fletcher and Paul Takahashi's date: 1/9/07 Section: CampusPrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 By Dan Fletcher and Paul Takahashi
The Daily Northwestern
Amid the cheering Northwestern football fans at Ryan Field, all Asghar Wasi wanted was a quiet place to pray. The only place he could find was a spot of less-than-clean floor in a public walkway.
"We had to pray in front of the concession stand, in front of all the people," the McCormick junior said.
Perhaps someone noticed. At last Wednesday's ASG meeting, the Muslim-cultural Students Association proposed a bill establishing a designated prayer area at Welsh-Ryan Arena for Muslim students for football and basketball games.
McSA President Amir Siddiqui estimates more than 20 Muslim students are in attendance at nearly every game.
"Oftentimes while students are at sporting events, the prayer time falls during the game," the Weinberg senior said. "If there was a space to pray, or even an opportunity for students to leave and re-enter, things would be better. Right now, it can be difficult."
John Mack, associate athletic director of external affairs, said McSA contacted him about the problem as early as mid-October. Despite discussing the request in staff meetings, Mack said they couldn't provide a solution.
"This is a request we took seriously," he said. "We appreciate all student support, but we didn't feel there was a suitable area for prayer. There's not enough space in the arena."
Mack said the athletic department doesn't allow any spectators to leave and re-enter the facilities during an event.
"When you give preferential treatment, while respecting their group's religion, it's tough to determine where to draw the line in terms of our entire fan base," he said.
Regardless, some Muslim students said the current rules present an inconvenience that warrants more discussion.
"Right now, we have to pray late afterwards or early and it's annoying," said Ramah Kudaimi, a Medill senior. "It's a lot more convenient to have a designated area than having to pray at different times."
Kudaimi said she occasionally uses the designated prayer area in Parkes Hall on Friday, the Muslim holy day. Another area was established in the Technological Institute for a similar purpose.
"It's a lot more comfortable for other students who may not want to come upon someone praying," she said.
Siddiqui said he hopes the ASG resolution, if passed, will open up a dialogue with the athletic department.
"If we just had an opportunity to talk, we could find a solution," he said.
For his part, Mack said he would be willing to listen again. He doubts, however, that much can be changed for this season.
But Wasi, who frequents the prayer area at Tech five days a week, wishes it were different.
"All I want is a little bit of privacy, he said. "Carpets would be nice. It doesn't need to be soundproof, just clean."
Reach Dan Fletcher at danfletcher@northwestern.edu and Paul Takahashi at ptakahashi@northwestern.edu.
http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.com/media/storage/paper853/news/2007/01/09/Campus/Prayer.Space.Requested-2606308.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailynorthwestern.c om&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com