Vatican Allocates First Prayer Room for Muslims Inside Apostolic Library

Vatican Allocates First Prayer Room for Muslims Inside Apostolic Library
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For the first time in its history, the Vatican has set aside a prayer room for Muslims inside the Apostolic Library, a move that has sparked wide debate across media and social platforms.

According to La Repubblica, Deputy Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library Don Giacomo Cardinali said the decision came after several visiting Muslim researchers requested a small space with a prayer rug to perform their prayers.

He noted that the library houses remarkable ancient Qur’anic manuscripts, along with extensive collections of Arabic, Hebrew, Ethiopian, and Chinese heritage, and the oldest Japanese archive found outside Japan.

Founded in 1475, the Apostolic Library is among the world’s oldest, containing about 80,000 manuscripts, 50,000 archival documents, and nearly two million printed works, in addition to coins and engravings accessible to researchers of all faiths.

While some conservative voices criticized the move as a departure from Vatican tradition, others praised it as a symbol of confidence, inclusivity, and a step toward strengthening interfaith dialogue.