Al-Qalam 
Islamic groups believe that negotiations with authorities will hopefully restore the exclusive Salah area that has been in existence for 25 years, writes Azra Hoosen.
An unforseen decision announced by the Dean of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Medical School to convert the existing salah room, which has been used and maintained solely by Muslims for the past 25 years, into a multi-faith prayer room, has left Muslim students perturbed.
The perplexing decision made by Prof. Ncoza Dlova, Head of School of Clinical Medicine at UKZN, who said the room must now be shared by all religious groups due to a lack of space, was met with strong criticism and protestation by the UKZN Medical Muslim Student Association (Med MSA), Minara Chamber of Commerce, South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA), Jamiatul Ulema KZN and various other Muslim and non-Muslim bodies that are hoping that – through negotiations – the prayer room will remain exclusive to Muslims.
“The Muslim Student Association was not given any prior notice about such a decision, nor were they involved in any discussion pertaining to this topic,” said Maryam Mahomed, co-chair of UKZN Med MSA.
Dlova claimed her decision was based on requests for a prayer area from other religious groups.
However, after extensive research and communication with other religious societies by MSA members, students found this to be an erroneous claim. Other faith groups have explicitly stated that they did not request a prayer facility and are not in favour of a multi-faith prayer room. “All religious groups have clearly stated, in writing, that they have no need for the room, they did not request space nor were they informed about this as well,” said Mahomed.
Mahomed explained that since the meeting with the Dean, MSA students have exhausted options within their capacity to object to this decision. They sent out various letters to Prof. Dlova, of which none were acknowledged. They offered to rent or buy the space but did not receive feedback. They turned to the KZN Jamiat Ulema and Minarah for support, as well as raised concerns on media platforms such as Al Ansaar, Salaamedia and Lotus FM.
SAMNET and IMASA Chairpersons have expressed their disappointment, in a letter to the Dean, for failing to engage in discussions with the Muslim Student Representatives, as well as for disregarding the needs of the Muslim students and staff with this “unilateral and unnecessary action”.
“The university has many other programmes to assist students and it is baffling to us why you would go out of your way to remove a facility that is crucial for the Muslim students and staff. By all means allow facilities for the development of students and staff but why take away what Muslims use on a daily basis,” said SAMNET’s Chairperson, Dr Faisal Suliman.
It is imperative for Muslims to have a clean, pure place to pray. “Praying in the same room as other faiths brings in traces of shirk and sin, which takes away from the sanctity of the prayer room,” added Mahomed.
Chairperson of Minara, Solly Suleman is however making progress in communications with the university. “Although Prof. Dlova is adamant that the Jamaat Khana must be converted, the Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences responded very favourably, whereby she accepts and understands our position and has agreed to coordinate a meeting between role players to reach an ‘amicable resolution’,” Suleman said.
“We are away at a workshop, we need time to discuss the issue at hand – my understanding is that there is no decision by the university yet,” Deputy Vice Chancellor of UKZN, Professor Busisiwe Ncama told Al-Qalam.
Suleman believes that the Dean has lost credibility in this matter.
“Prof. Dlova has compromised not just the Medical School but the whole University. She made a statement that the medical school is following the airports, vis a vis multi-faith area, and I corrected her on this, as all major airports and shopping malls have separate Muslim prayer areas,” said Suleman.
Suleman is pleased that the Vice Chancellor has accepted the reality of a separate prayer area. “Professor Ncama has also acknowledged the fact that the sallah room has been in existence for 25 years and used by both students and lecturers,” added Suleman.
Suleman is no longer concerned about the unreasonable Dean as the entire issue has been escalated to higher authorities, including the Council and he is optimistic that this issue will be resolved soon.
The University will meet with the MSA representatives next week Monday to discuss the matter further.
