RMIT Islamic Society: Right the Wrong! Return the Prayer Room

RIGHT THE WRONG
RETURN THE PRAYER ROOM!

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu,
Dear All,


For the past fourteen years, the Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology (RMIT), an Australian university, had provided Muslim
students with a dedicated prayer room on the Swanston Street
campus.

This facility was located on the top of Building 9. In late 2007
RMIT began construction work on Building 9 and promised the
Muslims to build a new Muslim prayer facility located in Building
11, beside the Spiritual Centre.

Unfortunately, the university administration reneged on its
promise, leaving Muslim students with no adequate place to pray on
the Swanston St campus for the past sixteen months. As a result
students and staff have been forced to pray outside in the heat of
summer and the cold of winter.

As a consequence of not having a Muslim prayer room on Swanston
St, Muslim females have allegedly been subject to sexual abuse,
harassment and religious vilification, forced to compromise
between performing prayers and their safety. They now pray two at
a time in a cramped Womyn's room, in corridors and empty
classrooms.

Enough is Enough!

The RMIT Islamic Society has tried to be civil and have little
more to show than broken promises, ill will and responses
unbefitting of those running such a crucial institute.

Therefore we call upon the masses to assist the RMIT Islamic
Society in their endeavor to force the administration to right the
wrong by returning the prayer room.

No longer can we remain quiet and have students compromise between
their safety and prayers. RMIT made a promise, it must FULFILL it.


What can you do?

1. Spread the word to your family, friends and anyone you know about
the Muslim struggle that has been taking place for sixteen months.

2. Sign the online petition with over 795 signatures
http://www.petitiononline.com/RMITIS20/petition.html

3. Join the FACEBOOK group Save the Muslim Prayer Rooms @ RMIT
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=41078166714&ref=ts

4. Come along to Friday prayers (Jum'ah) as Muslim students pray
outside on Bowen St attracting over 500 Students and staff.

5. Spread the RMIT Muslims Praying outside YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5l_rJIfWpA

6. Print out the attached poster and spread it around.

7. Register on the RMITIS forums to keep updated with the issue.

8. Write to info@rmitis.org.au to show your support.

RMIT Islamic Society demands the university administration to
return the Muslim prayer room that we had since 1994 and as they
continue to provide at other campuses. The solution is an easy one
"Right the Wrong! Return the Prayer Room."

If the demands are not met and a solution brought forward, the
RMIT Islamic Society will begin to hold public information
sessions, protests, contacting media outlets and exposing what
took place in 2008.

The campaign to Save the Muslim Prayer Rooms is supported by the
RMIT Student Union, the National Union of Students, the Australian
Union of Jewish Students – RMIT, RMIT Christian Union, the Mufti
of Australia, Islamic Council of Victoria, Australian National
Imams Council and many more.

For more information on the campaign please visit www.rmitis.org.au



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Yours Sincerely,
The RMIT Islamic Society Team