Assalamu Alaikum,

We, the Rutgers Jumu'ah team, are organizing this petition concerning the need for a larger prayer space to conduct our weekly Friday prayers for the Muslim population on campus. Rutgers is home to an estimated 8,000 Muslims, which is over 10% of the entire student population. Through our weekly Friday prayers, Rutgers Jumu'ah facilitates the largest, culturally diverse weekly gathering of students on campus. As the demographics of Muslim students on campus change year to year, Rutgers Jumu'ah aims to work towards meeting the emerging needs of the community.

In the spirit of community and diversity, the Rutgers Jumu'ah team would like to request a bigger prayer space than the one that we have now. Currently, we hold our weekly prayers at the Student Activities Center, and while it has served us well with its roomy area and large windows, we have found that it tends to get overcrowded. We surpass the capacity of the building each week, as our prayers generate up to around 300-400 guests. If we are granted a larger prayer space, Rutgers Jumu'ah will be able to more efficiently accommodate the spiritual and religious needs of the Muslim population. Additionally, we will be able to foster a sense of community by providing a space to gather, de-stress, and engage with other students.

To all Rutgers Students that are signing this petition, please use your scarletmail email address.

Thank you for your time in reading this letter and considering our request. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any concerns or questions.

Jazak Allah Khair, 

The Rutgers Jumu'ah Team