Muslim students at Western Kentucky University demand prayer Muslim

Muslim students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) are calling for a quiet, simple space on campus to perform daily prayers—a request they’ve made since forming the Muslim Student Association in 2019. Frustration over the lack of response has led to intervention by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights group in the U.S.

In a statement, CAIR’s National Communications Director, Ismail Allison, said every student deserves a space to practice their faith, stressing that Muslims at WKU should not feel like “second-class students.” He noted the students are not asking for a mosque—just a clean, accessible corner to pray in peace.

A WKU Herald article quoted a student saying, “We’re part of this university and deserve to feel welcome. Prayer is essential to our day.” While the university hasn’t officially rejected the request, its years-long silence has left students feeling sidelined.