Many thanks to those of you who so kindly responded. Our Chaplian, Geoff
Wynne and I worked together on this project and below are some of the main
points of our findings. Info received from 16 universities.
What I learnt was that several universities have or are in the process of
developing (in some cases building) quite extensive multi-faith centres. Of
those that replied, Derby, UCLan, St Andrews and Hertfordshire fall into
this category. Hertforshire is building a circular worship room so that the
direction of worship is not prescribed by the room shape. (Important for
Moslems who need to face east.)
Sheffield Hallam has a prayer room on each of its three sites.
Although all those who replied provided prayer facilities for muslim
students these were not all dedicated only for their use. In some cases it
was a bookable room. The provision of washing facilities, part of the
muslim prayer requirement, varied also.
Some examples at random:
1) De Montfort Has a chapalincy centre for all religions-- on city campus
two rooms (for male and female) provided for Muslim prayer with separate
ablution areas. On second campus a classroom is set aside but no ablutions
area, on third campus a room will be provided if needed.
2)UCLan Prayer room divded into male and female by curtain. Separate
ablution facilities.
3)Derby fundraising 2.5 million for a multifaith centre which has been
planned by members of nine world religions: Christian,Muslim, Jewish,Sikh,
Hindu,Buddist, Jain,Baha'i and Zoroastrian. Worship areasmust be booked and
approved in advance but those which occur regularly eg Muslim friday
prayers can be booked on a termly basis.Appropriate facilities will be
available for ablutions but once again will not be exclusive.
4) Aston provides designated Muslim prayer room in building used by student
guild. Chaplaincy emphasises that University has resposibility and
overseesthe provision.
Policies
We were sent some chaplaincy statements usually along the line of St
Andrews whose opening paragraph I quote below:
'The Chaplaincy seeks to provide support for the spiritual and religious
needs of all staff and students, irrespective of race, culture and
religious belief and wherever possible to contribute to the aims of the
student support service with which it is associated.'
The most detailed and most comprehensive policy of those we were sent is
that of Liverpool John Moores. We have used this as the basis for the one
we are developing.
Well dear friends I hope you find this helpful. Thanks again to those who
put themselves out and replied please also thank your Chaplains who
contacted me. Berry
Berry Dicker TEL: 01902 321197 FAX: 01902 321163
University of Wolverhampton,
62-68 Lichfield St,
Wolverhampton WV1 1DJ.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|