One room, many faiths: Mount Royal University rethinks its multi-faith space

Mount Royal University has converted its main multi-faith room into a neutral, reservable space for different faiths. But the move has upset some Muslim students on campus who say the changes make them less willing to use the space.

MRU’s Wellness Services, which now runs the space, converted W201 into a Wellness and Meditation Space, available for multi-faith use.

Under the new model, the room can be configured for different faith communities and scheduled bookings. 

The room will still be available during designated drop-in times.

“The intent is that W201 can be neutral and open during drop-in periods, while also being responsive to the specific needs of different faith communities when the space is scheduled,” said Jody Arndt, Director of Wellness Services, in an interview with the Calgary Journal.

The university currently has three multi-faith spaces: U111, I143A, and W201, renamed the Wellness and Meditation Space.

Historically, two of the rooms have been underutilized, Wellness Services says.  

Arndt says the change is part of a broader push to get students to use all three of MRU’s multi-faith spaces.

“Our goal is to make sure that students and faith communities have equitable access to our multi-faith spaces and resources,” said Arndt.

Wellness Services has added resources to all three rooms, including prayer mats, Bibles, Torahs and other materials students may need for prayer, worship and spiritual practice, so they no longer have to rely on the renamed Wellness and Meditation Space as the only place to find them.

Arndt describes the model as one that staff will observe and adjust based on experience and feedback.

“Because this is a newer approach, we’re interested in whether students understand the choices available to them and whether the spaces are meeting their needs,” Arndt added.  

Muslim students respond to changes

Mahdi Mir, a fourth-year supply chain management student and president of MRU’s Muslim Students’ Affiliation, says the changes to W201 have left many Muslim students uncomfortable using a space they had relied on for years.

Mir said that before the changes, everyone was very comfortable using the space. Now, Muslim women especially feel uncomfortable using the space to pray.  

He said he has seen students try to find privacy in the room multiple times. He recalls one instance of a student praying in a corner behind a pillar. 

“It really makes me sad,” Mir said, describing seeing a student try to find a private place to pray.

For Mir, the changes also affect the sense of belonging Muslim students have developed in W201 over the past 25 years.

He said Muslim students have used the room since about 2001, and some alumni have shared stories about how W201 changed their lives and gave them a sense of belonging.

“This exact same room was used for prayer, for coming together to use the space for what it’s meant for — for all faiths.”

Mahdi Mir

The Muslim Students’ Affiliation raised concerns with Wellness Services and was told the changes were for “security reasons.”

The room now has a locked curtain that can be used during drop-in hours and when events or prayer times require splitting the space in half.

Students must request that Security Services unlock the curtain.

Muslims pray five times a day, with most prayers occurring during class time. Muslim men and women also pray in separate areas, requiring a divider or curtain.

“If you have these rules where someone has to physically walk in the room, unlock the curtain, open the curtain and then again at another time, do it four times a day,” he said. “I don’t think opening up a curtain is one of the university’s top priorities, especially for the security team.”

Arndt insists the changes made to the multi-faith room were not due to any security concerns or incidents at MRU.

“Our role is to support equitable access and respectful use, while ensuring the spaces are welcoming to everyone,” said Arndt in a follow-up email to the Calgary Journal.

Mir said the new arrangements have affected students’ willingness to use the space.

The previous setup of W201 was entirely drop-in, which accommodated Muslim students’ school and prayer schedules.

“The fact the university’s trying their best to make it more neutral, it’s just led to all students avoiding the prayer space in full.”

Arndt said Wellness Services maintains a feedback form and encourages students to share their experiences, including any barriers to using the spaces.

“This feedback helps us identify concerns and consider adjustments,” said Arndt.

An alternative solution proposed by Mir would be to designate one of the university’s three multi-faith rooms as a drop-in space where students could pray without booking, signing in or arranging to have the room unlocked.

“We do not want the university to endorse our religion or give us any kind of special treatment; all we want is the freedom to pray in privacy and with security.”

Mir said he believes students from different faiths can use the space at the same time while still accessing the facilities they need.

“It is completely okay for different people from different faiths to come together and use the space at the same time,” added Mir.

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