Durham College has taken a significant step toward inclusivity with the opening and renovation of its Multi-Faith and Quiet Space. This initiative, which came to life during the 2023-24 academic year, aims to accommodate the diverse spiritual and religious needs of students in a welcoming and respectful environment.
The space highlights the college’s commitment to inclusivity and well-being on campus.
Shahzaib Tariq, an accounting student in the business program and the vice president of religious affairs in the Muslim Student Alliance (MSA), said the previous president of the MSA advocated for a new prayer room and ablution station.
“As a result, he launched a petition for it. From that petition came more than 200 student signatures. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) accepted that proposal and built the prayer room we now know,” Tariq said.
The multi-faith room at Durham College was established before Dr. Sadie Goddard-Durant was appointed director of the EDI office.
“During the 2023-24 academic year, we sought to enhance what was then called the prayer room,” Goddard-Durant said.
The EDI office takes an approach that involves the community in every decision. In the winter of 2024, consultations were held across the college community with those who use the multi-faith room and quiet space.
Various religious groups and faith-based clubs on campus were contacted and asked about their experiences using the space. These discussions included identifying religious practices, the types of items required in the space and availability needs.
Alongside these consultations, the office conducted an environmental scan of similar spaces at other post-secondary institutions, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area and across Ontario.
“We went a bit further afield, identifying then how we could enhance the space so that informed the design, the items kept in the space, the new booking system and the guidelines we developed,” Goddard-Durant said.
One key finding was that the space is frequently used by Muslim students, who are required to pray multiple times a day.
“We knew they would be using the space often,” she said.
She added that there are also specific rituals for preparing, during and after prayer that needed to be accommodated. That informed decisions such as installing ablution stations (which is part of the preparation process for prayer), selecting flooring and providing ample cushions.
“We created both communal and individual spaces to ensure the prayer room remained accessible to all,” she said.
Tariq, who is responsible for leading prayers, maintaining the prayer room and helping set up events, expressed gratitude for the space.
“I thank the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. They helped set up the prayer room and provided everything we needed,” he said.
He also acknowledged the room’s inclusivity. “It’s not only for Muslims but also for people of other faiths who can come and take a break from daily college life, reflect and relax,” he said.
“There’s also an individual space on the left side of the prayer room where people can sit, work or meditate. As a Muslim, the prayer space has been amazing for practicing my faith.”
The consultations also helped the office identify religious texts to have available in the space.
“This process led us to connect with various faith groups to ensure we had copies of their religious texts available for users,” Goddard-Durant said.
The EDI office also developed a structured booking system based on community feedback.
“At the end of each semester, we invite all faith-based clubs on campus to request time slots for the upcoming semester on a first-come, first-served basis,” she said. This ensures groups have designated times while also leaving open periods for individual use or other gatherings.
Kinza Iman, a student in the computer systems technician program and vice president of events at the MSA, shared her perspective as a Muslim woman.
“I’ve been able to meet other Muslim women, hear their needs and wants about the prayer space and make many friends,” she said. “We’re able to meet like-minded individuals and create a sense of community.”
The multi-faith room is open to all religious individuals and groups on campus. Goddard-Durant noted that among those with whom they are in conversation are the campus church and the Druid community, though other groups also access the facility.
“I think the feedback is around just kind of continuing to have the space in a way that works for the different groups,” she said.
Concerns raised in feedback have led to several improvements, including adding Wi-Fi access, redesigning the bathroom and providing towels at the ablution stations.
Iman highlighted privacy concerns for women due to the absence of blinds.
“When we enter, the entrance faces the women’s side, and we’re not able to cover. There are concerns about privacy while women are praying,” she said.
Some concerns are beyond our office’s control, Goddard-Durant said regarding the concern Iman raised: “We have put forward requests and rationales for it and so it’s then for that follow-up to come back to us for us to implement whatever the decision.”
Tariq expressed appreciation for the space. “The place was constructed beautifully and is kept clean all the time,” he said. “The ablution area, which is essential for Muslims before prayer, was also constructed well and caters to our needs.”
The EDI office also promotes awareness and understanding of religious diversity through various communication channels.
“We include information in the college’s awareness calendar, DC calendar, on Instagram through Equity@DC and we also have information going on in the student email and the employee email,” Goddard-Durant said. “We highlight major religious observances for as many faiths as possible, providing information about their significance to the Durham College and wider Durham Region communities.”
Regarding potential expansions, Goddard-Durant said the goal is to continue improving the existing multi-faith space as much as possible within our scope and power and establish a similar space at the Whitby campus.
“That is the hope,” she said.
Iman emphasized that the room accommodates all faiths and religions: “The multi-faith prayer space is not just for Muslims; it’s for people of all religions. We would love to have discussions and dialogues around different faiths and interconnections.”
For students who feel their religious needs are not being met, Goddard-Durant encourages ongoing dialogue.
“We try to maintain relationships through email… and encourage feedback via equity@durhamcollege.ca,” she said, “to let us know what their experiences are or what their recommendations are, what their concerns are and to keep those conversations with us going about how we can best address those.”
She emphasized that the multi-faith room is part of a broader commitment to inclusion at Durham College: “I think the space is a great step towards our journey as a college community to be inclusive of everyone, appreciating that everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging in the space.”