Mohammed Al Ghamdi, a Muslim student studying abroad through UO’s American English Institute, usually prays in his classrooms on the breaks between classes.
Al Ghamdi’s ten minute breaks don’t give him enough time to get to Agate Hall, where a space is reserved for AEI students. As a solution, his instructors allow him to extend the breaks to fifteen minutes to fulfill his religious duties.
Many Muslims at the UO pray five times a day as part of their religious obligations. They often complete a couple of their daily prayers on campus, in the library or the EMU Ballroom. Some go to the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry next to the DuckStore that has provided a prayer space which Muslim Student Association President Abdalla Aldhefairi said accommodates about 15 students.
Aldhefairi estimates that about 1,200 Muslim students currently attend the UO.
For many praying in class may not be an option and finding a prayer space has been an issue.
The EMU renovation layout includes a non-denominational meditation room that will accommodate about 20 students. Until the EMU’s completion in the summer of 2016, however, students have a few options.
The University has recently offered interim spaces. There are spaces in Agate Hall for AEI and linguistics students, in Mills International Center and in the adjoining art gallery. A fourth space will open spring term in Mac Court — which is now called EMU South.
Abe Schafermeyer, director of International Student and Scholar Services, said that he and other administrators have seen and heard the student need for a meditative space. They have worked with various student groups for over three years to address the issue.

“The spirituality of a student is part of the student experience,” Schafermeyer said. “And we as an institution need to be committed to provide space for that to happen.”
MSA Vice President Sabeen Waqar said the current group has been trying for over a year and a half to secure a suitable space. “We worked with Schafermeyer for over a year,” Waqar said. “We also worked with ASUO President Sam (Dotters-Katz) … He tried to help us, but said there’s no space available on campus, and he couldn’t do anything about that.”
In fall term, the UO offered up the spaces in Mill’s International Center and in the art gallery, but they were not suitable for the MSA.
“It’s not accommodating our needs,” Waqar said. “[Mill’s] is a social place where there’s always music and no privacy.”
Schafermeyer recognized the limitations as well.
“One of the concerns was that (space) just in the EMU wasn’t enough,” Schafermeyer said. “Students have classes far from the EMU… it would be prohibitive for them to come to the Union and then go back to class.”
Several administrators, including Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes and Dean of Students Paul Shang, held public meetings this term with interested students. In February, the UO finalized a solution that would suit the needs of the students — a 500 square foot space estimated to accommodate about 25 people.
“This is a lot better than what we had before, which was nothing,” Waqar said. “We’re really happy about that.”