Equality Elephant in the Room Islam in the Learning Environment

Equality Elephant in the Room … Islam in the Learning Environment

Wednesday 20 April, 4-5pm

Guests: Imam Abid Salik (York Mosque and Islamic Centre) and Rasha Ibrahim (President of the University of York Graduate Students’ Association)

Imam Abid Salik graduated in accountancy at the University of Hull. Rasha Ibrahim is a PhD student in computer science at the University of York. She came to York from Egypt in 2011.

Greetings

When Muslim people meet they will use the same greetings.

Imam Abid Salik greeted us with “Assalaamu 'Alaikum” (May Peace be with you), to which we responded with “Wa-Alaikum-Salaam” (May Peace be with you too)

Using these greetings help to convey mutual respect and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Faith Adviser

Our Faith Adviser is Salahuddin Dewan, a former student at York St John and now working in York. He is actively involved and very supportive of students. He established the Jummah prayer (Friday lunchtime) in the Contemplation Room and supports YSJ Islamic Society.

Imam Abid Salik is also Faith Adviser for York St John and for other organisations including University of York, York Hospital etc. You can contact Imam Abid Salik through Salahuddin Dewan.

The Imam can provide advice about matters related to faith and study; talk to Muslim students and promote York St John services.

York Mosque and Islamic Centre

The York Mosque and Islamic Centre offers Muslims a place where they can practise their beliefs and be part of a community. Every Friday there are over 350 attendees for Jummah. A new Mosque is being built to accommodate the growing Muslim community. Once completed there will be Open Days.

Everyone is welcome to visit the York Mosque and Islamic Centre. Women’s social (including talks) every Sunday at 2pm, non-Muslims are also welcome. They do not have to wear a head covering.

Attracting Muslim students and prayer

Prayer is central to the Muslim faith. There are five prayers a day. That means that the first thing a Muslim person will look for in a University is their praying facilities.

Men and women may choose to pray in the same room or in separate rooms, but they will not pray mixed. If they pray in the same room, then it is good practice to have a divide, e.g. using a curtain. For a Muslim woman this is often preferable because of the way they pray (kneeling on the ground means that their dresses shift up, thus showing parts of their body).

1 The University of York has two prayer rooms with 24 hour access codes so people can pray in safety.

York St John offers several spaces (small prayer room in Chapel, quiet room by Chaplaincy office and Contemplation room in Quad West – by Heritage Room). The washing facilities are on the ground floor in New Wing (disabled toilet).

Timetabling

Jummah Prayer is the most important prayer in the weekly calendar. It is the second prayer on a Friday. It needs to take place between set times (as is the case with each prayer). The YSJU timetabling policy makes provision for accommodating specific religious needs, as long as requests are made timely (i.e. early) and it is reasonably practicable.

On Friday the University of York offers two Jummahs at staggered times so that students can either go to a lecture first then go to the second Jummah, or the other way around. The University of York also offers ‘lecture capture’ so that students who miss a lecture because of prayer, can catch up.

Q: In the light of limited space in the University, there is concern about the possibility of students in International Programmes having to attend sessions on Friday afternoons (these are currently kept free for the benefit of students wishing to attend the mosque). Is it important to try to maintain the existing arrangements in this respect?

A: Although Muslims can still attend lectures etc on a Friday afternoon, this could make the University less attractive for international Muslim students. The Equality and Diversity Adviser suggested that if this was being considered, then International Programmes could ask the Timetabling Office to carry out an equality analysis before making a decision, taking into account the numbers of Muslim students on their Programme, the strategic importance of attracting more international students, and exploring alternatives. [Post-meeting note: the Head of Scheduling has stated that scheduling International Programmes sessions for Friday afternoons is not being considered at this time]

Curriculum

Group work is fine if it’s in a public place, e.g. at the University. If students of mixed gender meet at someone’s house then that may create difficulties for Muslim students.

Q: In Business Management they use a case study involving a brewery. Students may be asked to develop a marketing campaign for the brewery, for instance. They are not expected to drink alcohol. Is this a problem?

A: The Islam requires followers to ‘keep away from alcohol’ – as alcohol can potentially lead to harm. This means more than drinking alcohol and therefore doing anything to promote alcohol is likely to make Muslim students uncomfortable. ‘Keeping away from alcohol’ also means that Muslim people will avoid events where alcohol is served. This means that Muslim students can become isolated. This also affects other non-Muslim students who want to avoid alcohol, for example for reasons of health or safety.

Ramadan

2 Ramadan is a Pillar of the Islam. The aim is to purify yourself. For people it can be an opportunity to experience hardship and therefore compassion with others who have to live through famine and poverty. Ramadan is a time of abstention in more than one sense – no food, no drink, mind your words and carry out charitable deeds. It is a very important time for Muslims and they are often sad when it ends.

The Ramadan follows the lunar year and starts 10 days earlier every year. As fasting starts at sunrise and ends at sunset, in the summer time this means that fasting can be as long as 19 hours (from 2.30am to 9.30pm)!

Breaking the fast is a time of reflection. It is usually done with water and dates but can consist of other foodstuff. Freshways in Hull Road has dates in bulk during Ramadan.

The Ramadan does NOT require fasting if this puts people’s physical or mental health at risk. For example, someone with diabetes should not fast. Also if someone is under pressure, e.g. because of exams, then they can choose not to fast. In this case, people may decide to follow the Ramadan in some ways not in others (e.g. carry on with drinking and eating but refrain from using negative language or behaviour).

If a student still wants to carry on with the Ramadan even though this puts their physical or mental health at risk, then the Imam can speak to the student.

The University of York is planning their exam time table for 2017-18 (when it will coincide with Ramadan) so that exams are mostly taken in the morning or early afternoon rather than late in the day.

Q: I try to avoid drinking and eating in front of Muslim students during Ramadan. Is that OK?

A: It is fine to eat and drink around Muslims. If you are avoiding drink and food then don’t tell Muslim people you are doing it because of Ramadan as that may make them feel uncomfortable. Some people try a day of fasting to find out what it is like. This is nice.