University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 4 April 1997

Michener Park Muslim residents protest loss of prayer room

15 non-student residents also given eviction notices

By Lee Elliott

Sixty Muslim residents of Michener Park and 91 other supporters have signed a petition protesting what they call the "grossly unfair treatment of the Muslim Community by HFS [Housing and Food Services]."

The issue involves free space the Muslim group has used for the past seven years as a prayer room. At the beginning of February, they received notice to evacuate effective March 31. HFS Director David Bruch says as of May 1 the Park will be full and at least 30 students are on a waiting list hoping to move in the summer. He expects that list to grow in the next few weeks.

The Muslim group has been given a temporary extension of the eviction notice, and at a meeting April 2, HFS staff agreed to work with them to try to identify any space in the Park that might be converted for use as a prayer room.

Munawar Saudagar, spokesman for the Muslim residents of Michener Park says prayer is an obligation. "We have to pray five times a day. Otherwise we'd have to drive in the morning to the mosque which is about five kilometres." Morning prayers can take place as early as 3 and 4 a.m., he says. It is unlikely residents will be willing to make the trip on cold winter mornings. "I would say many would leave, ultimately if not immediately," he says.

Saudagar says when the Park was half empty, Muslim residents stayed-in large part because of the spiritual quality of life. "When they needed us, they gave us that facility. If there is a time they are having a small waiting list, they don't want to give it to us," He says the Muslim community has offered to vacate not one, but two of the estimated 50 units they now have. And at the April 2 meeting they discussed paying for a unit.

However, Bruch says neither move would solve the problem. "Our mandate is to provide accommodation for families. And doing that takes units out of circulation for those students."

The demand for space in Michener Park is so great, says Bruch, that the Michener Park Community Association has expressed concern about non-students taking spaces needed by students. As a result, HFS sent eviction notices to 15 non-student residents last week.

Saudagar says he feels the issue is one of quality of life-not a typical landlord- tenant situation. "The University at large is accommodating," says Saudagar. "We have the meditation facility at SUB. We are really thankful about that." He says it's not just one individual making the request, but a relatively large group with a special living requirement.

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