The row between Newcastle University and its Muslim students has escalated with another peaceful protest during prayer on Friday.
The Muslim prayer space in the King George VI building has been closed for most of Saturday and Sunday since it re-opened at the start of the new term, preventing students from fulfilling their five daily prayers.
Dozens of Muslim students gathered for an outdoor prayer on Friday to urge the university to abide by its Faith Space Policy, which states that prayer facilities should be open from 7am to 11pm every day of the week.
The space is currently open at those hours during the week but only from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays.
Second-year dentistry student Ghadah Ali, of the Newcastle University Islamic Society , said: “They’re going to restrict our ability to practise our faith. When we got back they said it’s going to open but there are new rules that are going to be in place, with restricted opening hours and it’s practically closed at weekends. [chroniclelive.co.uk] Read more
