It does happen that there are well-meaning attempts to provide for students' needs by providing a prayer room; but those in charge of putting this decision into place don't realise that there are particular requirements. This could relate to mixing of genders, lack of provision for wudu, objects or artwork that make the room unsuitable, expectations that it be shared with other religions but without reserving the times specific for salah, and so on. Or it might be that the situation of the room is unpleasant, difficult to access, or awkward and it looks like a grudging gesture.

Find out who you should contact about this issue. You might equip yourself with our list of handy bullet points, or make your own. Explain why this is important, and that these are not trivial or unreasonable demands, but part of the essence of the prayer room.

• The room should be large enough for the number of worshippers performing the prayers as Muslims pray side-by-side in rows facing the direction of Makkah (Mecca)
• Washing facilities near to the prayer room for ritual washing before prayer
• Not contain statues and pictures of living beings
• Be free from things deemed to be religiously impure: dirt, blood, urine, faeces, alcohol, animal matter that is not from halal animals
• Room to place shoes when removing shoes before entering prayer room (to avoid bringing impurity into the room inadvertently)
• Indication of the qibla, the direction of Makkah (Mecca) which Muslims face when praying
• Open at prayer times
• Quiet enough to allow concentration on prayers
• Sufficient space for both men and women to pray