By Ona Golonka
After quietly entering, setting down his back pack and focusing on the calming silence engulfing the room, a University of Portland student prepares to pray. This scene is not happening in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher or in one of the eight other residence hall chapels. It is occurring in the Muslim Prayer Room.
Yes, you read that right. There is a Muslim Prayer Room on campus. If you were surprised, you were not the only one.
"I was surprised. I didn't expect a small, Catholic university to have it," said devout Muslim and sophomore Mansour Alameri.
Yet it has existed on campus for 15 years.
When Christie Hall underwent a remodeling process 15 years ago, a permanent location for the Muslim Prayer Room was chosen, explained Associate Dean of the Engineering School Khalid Khan. Before having a designated room in Christie Hall, many Muslim students sometimes prayed in the Mehling Hall basement.
Khan was the advisor for the Muslim Student Association at the time. "I gave input about the specifications of the room," he said.
For graduate student Fahad Alshubaily, a designated prayer room is important to have on campus.
"Though a Muslim can pray anywhere where the earth is clean, a specific prayer room would be guaranteed clean," said Alshubaily.
In addition to providing guaranteed cleanliness, a specialized room eliminates the pressure of finding an ideal place to pray.
"Who is going to go around searching for an empty classroom?" said Alshabaily.
Such an ordeal is no longer necessary. Many Muslim international students, including Alameri, found out about the Muslim Prayer room after speaking with either Krista Kennedy or Gwen Guderjohn at the International Student Services office.
"There is more awareness of the prayer room now since it is located in the ISS center, as opposed to being formerly located in Christie Hall," said Guderjohn, the ISS program assistant.
Not only did the relocation of the ISS center create more awareness of the prayer room, it also made it more easily reached.
"There is easier access and it is very welcoming now," said Khan.
Since the ISS center is open till 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, an individual who wants to pray does not need to check into Christie Hall until after that time, said Dherar Alfadhalah.
Though he now lives off-campus, Alfadhalah still sometimes comes inside to pray between classes.
Devout Muslims pray five times a day: At dawn, noon, in the afternoon, at sunset and nightfall, according to Alshubaily. However, two prayers can be combined if a student does not have a break between classes or if a time period was missed, said Alshubaily.
"There are Web sites that help you and tell you what time to pray," said Alfadhalah. The times change every day, since the sun sets and rises at different times along the course of the year, he explained.
Upon entering the prayer room, one is greeted by a washroom, to wash one's feet, hands and face.
"Its really nice to have a washroom, especially one that is new and modern," said Alameri.
Others have praised the room itself.
"I was impressed by how super clean it was," mentioned Alfadhalah. "Also, there is everything available."
A shelf inside the room holds a Quran, various other prayer books, various perfume bottles and also a hijab for women. In a corner of the room an ornate woven rug lays spread out on the ground, pointing west towards Mecca.
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, began this year on Aug. 22nd. During Ramadan, more prayers are offered to God and fasting is observed from dawn to dusk. The goal is to teach humility, patience and sacrifice, according to Alshubaily.
"Fasting is a commandment, an order from God," explained Alshubaily. "It helps us share the feelings of hunger and misery with the poor."
Fasting is not the easiest task for some.
"It's hardest in the first week, but then I get used to it," said sophomore Fahad Alhajri.
Though it may be difficult, UP tries to make it easier.
"Bon Appétit said they could accommodate my meal plan points at the Cove," said senior Ali Alaweyat.
"I feel privileged to be at school that is understanding," said Alaweyat.
Such a change was helpful since the Cove is open later than 7 p.m., which is still the time period for fasting during Ramadan, Alaweyat said.
According to the Department of Campus Ministry, such support for students is important.
"UP values the faith growth of all students," said Stacey Noem, who works in the office of Campus Ministry. "The Muslim Prayer room enriches the community."
Alfadhalah agrees. "It's an added value to the campus."
