Harvard to Open Permanent Prayer Space for Muslim Students This Fall

Harvard to Open Permanent Prayer Space for Muslim Students This Fall
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Harvard University has announced plans to provide a permanent prayer space for Muslim students starting this fall, a move welcomed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other Muslim advocacy organizations. The university will dedicate a room on the second floor of Smith Campus Center, replacing temporary locations previously spread across Sever Hall and Canaday Hall.

The decision addresses a longstanding concern for Muslim students, who for years had relied on makeshift spaces without stability. Shakira Ali, co-director of internal relations at the Harvard Islamic Society, said the new prayer facility affirms respect for students’ faith and offers them a consistent place of worship.

Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, executive director of CAIR Massachusetts, described the initiative as an important step toward fostering inclusivity and supporting Muslim student life. Harvard’s Muslim chaplain, Khalil Abdur-Rashid, noted that the facility will include comfortable furnishings and modern ablution facilities, ensuring a welcoming environment on campus.