Salah, more known as ‘prayer’ in English, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The five daily prayers are a mandatory component of Is- lam, and only certain things can deem someone exempt. Most of the exceptions are as follows: being pre-pubescent, traveling, elderly, undergoing menstruation or post-natal bleeding, or severely mentally and/or physically ill.

Most Muslims at Curtis are not exempt. Yet, many found themselves unable to perform certain prayers that occur during school hours due to not having the space necessary. Seeing that not praying is one of the gravest sins in Islam, it makes it so that when- ever a Muslim does not pray, they are gaining sins each time.

Prior to the establishment of the prayer room, many Muslim students felt as if they were being forced to collect sins in exchange for an education. To address this, Ms. Zakria, advisor of the Muslim Student Association, partnered with the school’s library staff to implement a safe space for where students can pray, allowing Muslims across Curtis to finally have the remedy they’ve been waiting for.

Ms. Zakria explained both the reason for the and the impact of the room, stat- ing, “After including the multi- purpose room as an additional space with prayer rugs, stu- dents were excited to know that their faith is respected and honored at Curtis High School. This was especially important for them as we enter the holy month of Ramadan.”
Though the room is mostly used by Muslim students, it is open to anyone wanting to use it for religious purposes.