Tulsa to have first on-campus mosque

Christian Century, Oct 9, 2002

Construction has begun on a mosque believed to be the first free-standing Muslim prayer space on a college campus in the U.S., the University of Tulsa announced in September. The 3,990-square-foot mosque will hold 100 men in a first-floor men's prayer hall and 50 women in a second-floor balcony, following the customary separation of Muslim men and women in worship.

The building will be built in a campus area that is home to other faiths, including Catholics and United Methodists, which have their own building. The university has an official "covenant relationship" with Presbyterians.

"The University of Tulsa's covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U. S.A.) facilitates understanding and acceptance of all faith traditions," said university president Bob Lawless. University officials say the mosque is the result of three years of fundraising and conversation with the university community and other Muslim student communities nationwide.

Muslim leaders say that the structure will be a first for American colleges. Other universities, including Georgetown and George Washington, have designated permanent prayer space, but not a separate building for Muslims.--RNS