The library office just sent over the confirmation and the rugs are officially back in that small space on the fourth floor which is just honestly such a relief. I keep thinking about how simple this request really was but seeing it actually happen after all the back and forth …
December 23, 2015
Final supporters
The University of Toledo College of Medicine Muslim Student Association (UTCOM MSA) would like to request that the student body may keep a prayer rug in Mulford Library for students to use. On the fourth floor of Mulford there is a set of stairs to the third floor that leads to a small space in which many Muslims have prayed their daily five prayers. The space is especially convenient during long hours of studying, because Muslims can pray without having to leave the library; thus, they can promptly return to their studies. The library administration has graciously allowed Muslims to use the space for many years, which we are thankful for; however, in September of 2015 the prayer rugs were removed. UTCOM MSA members would like to ask University of Toledo Administration to accommodate Muslims by allowing storage of prayer rugs for convenience of Muslim students, residents, physicians and healthcare providers who use the space.
Please sign the petition with your University of Toledo Rockets email account to verify that you are a UT student, employee, or faculty member.
Updates
November 23, 2015
Seeing this much energy behind the prayer rug issue is honestly kind of overwhelming in the best way possible. It really emphasizes how vital that library space is for everyone trying to balance their faith with these long study days (I know I need that quiet time more than I realized) and I am just so glad people are speaking up about it.
Reached 100 supporters
November 23, 2015
23 Comments
As future health care providers we will interact with and care for people from all walks of life with all kinds of belief systems. By making reasonable accommodations to promote the accessibility of our campus to students of all ideologies we can promote a culture of celebrated diversity and professional unity that will allow us to better serve our future patients.
the utcom essay prompt for our class asked us directly how we've displayed cultural competence in the past.....come on guys
The return of the prayer rugs would indicate UT's commitment to diversity and signify how welcoming the university is to students of all creedos, and how the university accommodates reasonable requests from students based on their religious beliefs and allows them to practice those beliefs while putting in long hours of study.
Let's keep amenities that promote our fraternity and cultural respect alive whenever possible. Taking away a service that was inclusive and valued contradicts the message set forth by the University and does even greater harm in propagating animosity.
Please return the prayer rug. Its removal was deeply disrespectful to the Muslim members of our community. UT has always welcomed diversity, and we must not stop now - when the world needs tolerance and acceptance most.
return the rug
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The library office just sent over the confirmation and the rugs are officially back in that small space on the fourth floor which is just honestly such a relief. I keep thinking about how simple this request really was but seeing it actually happen after all the back and forth …
December 23, 2015
Final supporters
The University of Toledo College of Medicine Muslim Student Association (UTCOM MSA) would like to request that the student body may keep a prayer rug in Mulford Library for students to use. On the fourth floor of Mulford there is a set of stairs to the third floor that leads to a small space in which many Muslims have prayed their daily five prayers. The space is especially convenient during long hours of studying, because Muslims can pray without having to leave the library; thus, they can promptly return to their studies. The library administration has graciously allowed Muslims to use the space for many years, which we are thankful for; however, in September of 2015 the prayer rugs were removed. UTCOM MSA members would like to ask University of Toledo Administration to accommodate Muslims by allowing storage of prayer rugs for convenience of Muslim students, residents, physicians and healthcare providers who use the space.
Please sign the petition with your University of Toledo Rockets email account to verify that you are a UT student, employee, or faculty member.
Updates
November 23, 2015
Seeing this much energy behind the prayer rug issue is honestly kind of overwhelming in the best way possible. It really emphasizes how vital that library space is for everyone trying to balance their faith with these long study days (I know I need that quiet time more than I realized) and I am just so glad people are speaking up about it.
Reached 100 supporters
November 23, 2015
23 Comments
As an Alumni I hope this was just an oversight on the part of the library. Me and my fellow classmates would often take a short break and then return to out studies.
As future health care providers we will interact with and care for people from all walks of life with all kinds of belief systems. By making reasonable accommodations to promote the accessibility of our campus to students of all ideologies we can promote a culture of celebrated diversity and professional unity that will allow us to better serve our future patients.
the utcom essay prompt for our class asked us directly how we've displayed cultural competence in the past.....come on guys
The return of the prayer rugs would indicate UT's commitment to diversity and signify how welcoming the university is to students of all creedos, and how the university accommodates reasonable requests from students based on their religious beliefs and allows them to practice those beliefs while putting in long hours of study.
Let's keep amenities that promote our fraternity and cultural respect alive whenever possible. Taking away a service that was inclusive and valued contradicts the message set forth by the University and does even greater harm in propagating animosity.
Please return the prayer rug. Its removal was deeply disrespectful to the Muslim members of our community. UT has always welcomed diversity, and we must not stop now - when the world needs tolerance and acceptance most.
return the rug
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As an Alumni I hope this was just an oversight on the part of the library. Me and my fellow classmates would often take a short break and then return to out studies.