Nick,
In addition to the linguistic issues you raise, I think it's also extremely important that prayer room signage takes into account the needs of students and staff with disabilities.
To answer your first question, I am unaware of any "commonly understood" symbols for "Muslim prayer room, women" and "Muslim prayer room, men" - unless others on the list can correct me on this!
If you are to offer signage in other languages, then I would suggest that your current approach (taking into account the origin of many of your international students) seems appropriate, and that any areas of uncertainty or clarification be resolved through stakeholder consultation with Muslim students. I would also feel it may be prudent to factor into your signage considerations the range of languages spoken in the wider local communities served by your institution.
Best regards
Dr D I Tyrer
ESF Muslim women students and equal opportunities research project
Liverpool John Moores University
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Nick Givens
> Sent: 29 March 2004 12:12
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: prayer room signage
>
>
> Hi,
>
> At present the signage on the doors of our Muslim Prayer Rooms is in
> English only. No-one has complained about this; indeed, the
> for the vast
> vast majority of users English is the language in which they
> are studying,
> teaching or both. Nevertheless, we feel it would be
> approporiate to have
> bilingual, multi lingual or perhaps pictorial signage.
>
> 1. Can any of you direct me towards 'commonly understood' symbols for
> 'Female Muslim Prayer Room, Women' and 'Muslim Prayer Room, Men'?
>
> 2. In case the answer to 1. is no (!), can you suggest which languages
> would be appropriate if we made the decision to extend the
> signage? the
> vasy majority of our Muslim students / staff are overseas nationals,
> principally from egypt and some of the Gulf States
>
> Nick Givens
> St Luke's Campus Equal Opportunities Coordinator,
> School of Education and Lifelong Learning,
> Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU.
>
> Tel 01392-264869
> Fax 01392-264792
>
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