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islam
What
should employers bear in mind in the provision of prayer
facilities for their Muslim
employees?
Factors to be considered in providing prayer facilities for
Muslim people:-
Muslims are required to pray five times a day. Each prayer
time could last about 15 minutes. Prayer times vary during
the year depending upon the rising and setting of the sun.
They are due at dawn, mid-day, late afternoon, sunset and
late evening.
Muslims can pray anywhere it is clean and quiet. However,
where employers can accommodate a prayer room, the
following considerations should be taken into account.
•
Men and women will usually pray
separately. Where only one room is available, an agreement
could be reached between them as to when they can use the
room or if the room is large enough, a slide or partition
could be erected.
•
There should not be a problem of
Muslims sharing a prayer room with people of other faiths.
However, if the room is shared by people from different
faiths, an amicable agreement could be reached on the
display and storage of religious icons, images, or statues
as Muslims cannot pray in room where these are displayed.
In addition, agreement could be reached with employees of
different faiths as to when the room will be available so
that it can be allocated to employees of different faiths
at different times. this is because prayers in congregation
at sunset will be said out aloud and may disturb employees
of other religions.. In the same way, Muslim employees
requiring quiet during prayers said in silence may be
disturbed by employees of other faiths who are praying out
aloud.
•
It may be necessary to put a notice up
requiring people to remove their shoes in order to keep the
room clean.
•
Muslims pray in the direction of
Mecca. A notice could be erected so that Muslims know which
way to face when praying.
•
The layout of the room may be
relevant because if a door is situated in the direction
which Muslims are to face when praying, this could cause
problems if people are entering to join the prayers.
•
Before prayers, Muslims must wash
their hands, face, arms and feet, although often the
washing of the feet will be performed symbolically. If
prayer facilities can be provided at work, appropriate
washing facilities will also be necessary. This can be
provided through existing wash room facilities. However, if
this is the case, other staff will need to be made aware of
such arrangements.
Prayer
facilities in the area: Friday mid-day
prayers are particularly important to Muslims and may take
a little longer than other prayers. Friday prayers must be
performed in congregation and may require Muslims to travel
to the nearest mosque or prayer gathering.
The Muslim Council of Great Britain
Tel: 0208 432 0585/6
www.mcb.org.uk
