In November, SAC, with the help of ECSU, lobbied for the opening of the Multi-Faith Prayer Centre when students of the Islamic faith raised concerns about having nowhere to practice their religion. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslim students prayed in South Building stairwells and in the Student Centre Presentation Room. Last fall, the Student Centre Management Board passed a motion to open the prayer space. Registrar and Acting Dean of Student Affairs Mark Overton handed ECSU Clubs Commissioner Sean O Leary and Diversity Relations Officer Pardeep Nagra the responsibility of organizing it. A little over three months later, safety in the room remains a concern.
Safety is the major issue here.
I really cannot give a fixed date for the opening of the Multi-Faith prayer space due to the installations and procedures that need to be made in order to ensure the safety of the students. There remain a lot of renovations that need to be completed before the room can be made open for public use, said O Leary. At the present time, myself, Pardeep, and the campus police have access to the prayer space. We are waiting on Facility Resources to do the renovations necessary in order to have the room fully functional and accessible. Moving the Laidlaw sign to the upper windows.