THE PROBLEM

Performing the five daily prayers is fundamental to Islam.

During lectures or long study sessions, there is currently no official space at UCB for Muslim students to pray — especially relevant for those who can't go home between classes.

Even more pressing is the Jumu'ah prayer, which male Muslims are expected to perform in congregation. The nearest mosque is in Idar-Oberstein, about 44 km away — a 72–120 minute round trip by public transport, making Friday prayers nearly impossible.

THE SOLUTION

Currently, some Muslim students make do by using sanitary rooms in ZN and KG, as these are rarely occupied — but this is far from a dignified or appropriate solution. Officially allowing these rooms, or another available space to be used to perform prayers would significantly improve the experience for many students at UCB.

Such spaces are already standard practice elsewhere: universities in major cities, such as the University of Cologne, provide dedicated prayer rooms, as do virtually all airports. 

CALL TO ACTION

UCB should not fall behind in offering this basic form of accommodation to its Muslim students. Thus, we're asking the international office of the university to please provide a simple and quiet prayer space on campus for Muslim students. If you support this, please sign and share — every signature helps make this a reality.