UK Muslim students who were praying in toilets get benefitting space

A secondary school in Derby, United Kingdom has bought prayer mats and found a special area to allow Muslim students to pray in comfort after the head teacher found they were being forced to conduct their daily prayers in the school toilets because there was nowhere else.

Michelle Strong, head teacher of Alvaston Moor Academy, said she took the decision to purchase two boxes of prayer mats after her discovery and arranged for pupils, practising their Islamic faith, to use them in the library at lunch times, where there is a designated area for them. At times when the library is busy, a different room is found for pupils to pray in peace.

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Mrs Strong, who took up the post as head of the 850-pupil Alvaston Moor school in September 2021, said: “We’ve bought these prayer mats because it is important to recognise every culture. We are an inclusive school. We need to recognise every single culture that our children have in this school. We celebrate Christmas, after all.

“Schools should be a safe place where everyone is free to be themselves and show their faith if they choose to.

“Our Muslim students are over the moon with their new prayer mats. I hope it has made them feel involved and valued, and that people are recognising their religion.”

Ruhaan Rizwan, who is in Year 8 at Alvaston Moor, is one of the pupils who has been using the mats for lunchtime prayer.

Ruhaan paid tribute to Mrs Strong and the Brackens Lane school’s librarian, Amber Fletcher for buying prayer mats and allowing space in the school library for Muslim pupils to use for prayer.

He said: “Mrs Strong and Miss Fletcher have both been so respectful. I feel very good about it all. I think this school is very respectful. I appreciate it so much. I can’t say how much I appreciate it.” (Derby Telegraph)