Muslim Prayer Facility Code of Conduct

At Northumbria we have a range of faith facilities across our campuses which are both single and multi-faith. Their physical design and operational usage therefore can be quite different and as such a series of codes of conduct have been produced, one for each facility. These codes of conduct outline how the facilities can be used, acceptable standards of behaviour, how the space can be negotiated and how disputes can be resolved where they arise.

The University’s Muslim Prayer Facility is located at our Newcastle City Campus on the ground floor of Squires Annexe.  

It is available for use by registered Northumbria University staff and students only. The Facility is provided for daily prayers. It may also be used for appropriate spirituality and prayer related group activities for students and staff. It is not a general social or events space.

The University endeavours to provide an appropriate space, respecting Islamic requirements for a place of worship. However, the Muslim Prayer Facility, being within a University building, is subject to the same regulations and constraints as any other University building. To ensure that the Muslim Prayer Facility is used appropriately, the University requires users to adhere to the following rules:

Accessing the facility

The Muslim Prayer Facility should not be used by people who are not either current Northumbria staff members or current Northumbria University students. The only exception to this is that occasionally students and staff may be accompanied by a child/dependent when using the Muslim Prayer Facility. Children/dependants remain the responsibility of the individual staff member or student, and must be accompanied at all times. Children must not be left unaccompanied in the Facility.

For your safety and security we ask that anyone using the Facility, at any time, must swipe their Smartcard. Even if several users arrive at the same time, each should individually swipe their Smartcard upon entering the facility. You must not allow others to use your Smartcard to gain access to the Facility.

In accordance with the standard procedures that apply to all University buildings, University Security Officers will be visiting the facility at various times during the day and night. Particularly at night or early in the morning, our Security Officers are likely to ask to see the Smartcard of those of users of the facility to show that you are a current staff member or student of Northumbria University. If, when asked, you are unable to show your Smartcard, you will be asked to leave the building. 

Facility usage

You must help to keep the Facility clean and tidy at all times.

You must not leave or store any personal belongings in the facility. All items owned by the University or by an Islamic student society must be stored away neatly in cupboards after each use. Prayer mats should be returned to storage after use.

Drinking water is provided within the facility. No food should be stored overnight in the facility at any time and the Facility should not be used as a general dining area.

Should the Islamic Society wish to use the Facility for breaking the fast during Ramadan, it is necessary each year to discuss this in advance with the University so that discussions can take place about how this will be managed.

The University reserves the right to direct users to alternative venues for breaking fast, particularly if food items are being left overnight or if the consumption of food in the Facility is causing other difficulties.

All white goods or appliances (e.g. kettles refrigerators, microwaves, etc.) found outside of the designated area in the Muslim Prayer Facility will be removed.

Notices and posters must be placed only on the designated noticeboards provided. If any notices/posters are in a language other than English, there should also be a translation in English, to ensure that everyone is able to access the information. Any notices that contravene University regulations will be removed.

With the exception of the Qu’ran, all books should be in English.

It is not permitted for anyone to sleep in the Muslim Prayer Facility at any time. Anyone found sleeping in the facility will be asked to leave and may have their access to the facility withdrawn.

Inappropriate, violent or unlawful behaviour in the Muslim Prayer Facility will not be tolerated. Such behaviour may lead to access being withdrawn and disciplinary action taken.

Other issues

The Muslim Prayer Facility is cleaned regularly by University staff. Users are asked not to prevent staff from fulfilling their tasks.

In the case of an emergency, University Security and other staff may need to access the Muslim Prayer Facility rapidly. It may not be possible to respect the usual practices associated with entering an Islamic place of worship. It is hoped that users will recognise the importance of any necessary action.

Any misuse of the Muslim Prayer Facility could lead to disciplinary action. Overseeing usage of the Muslim Prayer Facility is the responsibility of the Director of Student, Library and Academic Services.

Useful contact details

If you have any comments or suggestions about the Facility, or if you notice any maintenance or cleaning issues which the University should address, please email as.muslimprayerfacility@northumbria.ac.uk.

If you wish to notify the University that someone may be contravening the above protocols, contact the University’s 24/7 Security Service on 0191 227 3999.

If there is an emergency in the Facility, or if you require first aid or other immediate assistance, contact the Security Service’s 24/7 emergency number – 0191 227 3200.

 

Muslim Prayer Facility Code of Conduct
Version 3 
Reviewed November 2025