November 23, 2011

Religious group proposes new interfaith prayer room at GRCC

Muslim Student Association announces plan to create a prayer room open to students of all faiths
By Lizz Vensas
Collegiate Staff Writer
The Muslim Student Association is working to provide students with an interfaith prayer room that could be used by students of any faith to meditate or reflect however they choose. The room would be for any student who wants to use it for spiritual reasons, said Mohamed Elmi, president of the Muslim Student Association. You could go there to pray, meditate or read the Bible or Koran. Muslims pray five times a day, said Elmi. Our prayer is very important. We would like to have a designated space to go and pray or to make up prayer times. Elmi went on to describe why a designated room would be a great improvement for Islamic students at GRCC. It has to be in a private, secular place, he said. We have to face east. The process can take anywhere from five to ten minutes. We need space for a mat and the place where we pray has to be somewhere clean. Elui and the Muslim Student Association approached the GRCC Christian Fellowship about joining together to make the room a reality. I think our group would endorse this, said Harry Lew, staff advisor to GRCC Christian Fellowship and campus minister. I dont see why they wouldnt if it is a room for student meditation. Lew sees the interfaith prayer room as a positive way to understand other religions and possibly have joint meetings. I think there can be a lot of misunderstanding between different religions. We should at least try to understand others, said Lew. It is also good for the school to acknowledge the spiritual dimension in our life. Christian Fellowship President Abigail Bartlett is interested in learning more about what the interfaith prayer room would entail.

News

It has to be a quiet, secular place.

Mohamed Elmi President Muslim Student Association

It is a group decision, said Bartlett. I am not sure what the atmosphere would be like and I would like to know more. It could be distracting (to have the different activities). Leaders of MSA have also been working with students at Grand Valley who have recently started their own interfaith prayer room. A close friend of mine had gotten the ball rolling at GVSU, said Pamela Martin, vice president of MSA. We are trying to base what were doing on that model. Martin has talked with her friend about what they needed to do when they went through this process, discussing the steps that were taken and how the space provided is currently working for them.

The room at GVSU is a very tolerant environment, said Martin. We hope for the same thing at GRCC. It took them almost a year, but they saw the fruits of their labor. MSA has recently submitted a request for space for their room through student life. The plan for an interfaith prayer is a real possibility, said Eric Mullen, head of Student Life. I dont see any problem; it is just a matter of seeing if there are any open spaces on campus that would be available for use. Mullen is encouraged by the fact that all students would be able to use this room. It would be accessible and meet the needs of several groups, he said. Its a common student interest. Elmi is optimistic about MSAs goal to get the room up and running. Of course the sooner the better, he said. But we are being patient and not demanding anything. This is not a matter of budgetary concern, said Mullen. If we have an open room and MSA is first to request it, it may happen. Mullen has recently submitted MSAs request for space to Victoria Janowiak, executive director of Operational Planning at GRCC. Janowiak and her space planning team will evaluate the needs of the overall student body and see if there are open rooms. The challenge with this request is the amount of time and the way we allocate spaces and schedule classes, said Janowiak. We dont dedicate space for singular purpose, so we need to do a little more exploration around what options we have to meet that request that would fit withing our space use practices.

GRCC students sound off on the possible interfaith prayer room

Angela Kok
I dont want to hurt anybodys feelings, but I would feel uncomfortable praying around people of other religions.

Zeke Busbee
I feel like I wouldnt mind, but some people would think it is bad. They would want to keep religion out of school.

Kailee Richards
It might work if they could all get along and do their own thing in one place. If it does work, it will be hard and take time.

Steven Reinink
As long as it doesnt become a debate room, I think it would be okay.

Chris Zammarron
Im fine with it. This is a giant community college. But, considering the diversity of students, it would be hard not to be controversial.

Megan Haner
I think we need the freedom to do it and have it locally available. I would consider using it.

Campus Events
Create a successful study plan for the end of the Fall semester and gain helpful tips for essay, multiple choice, short answer and true/false tests. Student Center Room 336 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov.

Transfer Shock Workshop

Prepares transfer students for the realities and heightened expecations of a 4 year school, hosted by Student Support Services, Multipurpose Room of Student Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

29 2

30

Nov. &

Nov. 23 - Dec. 9
Final Exam Preparation Stop Light Party

Dec.

Event hosted by Black Student Union, Womens Issues Now, College Democrats, StandOut, and International Student Organization in the Raider Grille from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

World AIDS Day

Dec.

Mooz-lum

Dec.

Muslim Student Association is hosting a FREE movie event in 420 Cook from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.. FREE parking, popcorn, and admission.

Charity fundraiser hosted by Hispanic Student Organization, bring a childs toy for admission, Student Center Room 203. Wear red if youre taken, yellow if youre unsure, and green if youre single.

Dec.

Stress Buster

FREE event hosted by Campus Activities to help students relax before Exam Week in the Raider Grille from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. FREE food, entertainment, and more.