Dedicated prayer rooms may be part of new approach by province’s schools

WATERLOO REGION — Walk through the wooden door into the secluded, carpeted room with holy books and prayer mats, and it’s hard to believe you’re in a school.

But this is the beginning of a new phase for public and Catholic schools where prayer rooms could become commonplace.

Under a provincewide policy, school boards must be more inclusive and accommodate different faiths during the school day.

This could mean a private place for Muslim students who pray five times a day and for students who are fasting, a modified gym class and a separate room for them so they don’t have to watch their peers eat lunch.

Atieh Noori, a 27-year-old Muslim student at St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centre in downtown Kitchener, uses the prayer room each day at lunchtime to say her midday prayers.

After school, Noori doesn’t have time for prayer so she appreciates the space.

Read the whole story on: TheRecord.com