Muslim prayer space supports mission to nurture spiritual well-being for all

The Muslim Prayer Room, located adjacent to the Place of Peace interfaith center on campus, is a private setting that can accommodate 8-10 students. It opened in September.

Approximately two percent of Mount Mary undergraduates identify as Muslim. Having a space such as this at Mount Mary aligns with the school’s Catholic heritage, said Campus Ministry Director Theresa Utschig. 

“True to the Catholic tradition of the University, everyone is welcome at the table, and this prayer space enables Mount Mary to further its mission of nurturing the spiritual well-being of everyone on campus and attending to the development of the whole person,” Utschig said.

This space has historically been a place of prayer, as it was originally the sacristy for the Christ King chapel where priests prepared for Mass. “It has been a sacred space for a long time,” Utschig said.

This new Muslim Prayer Room is a significant addition to the campus prayer spaces already available to the students, faculty, and staff of Mount Mary University, including Our Lady Chapel, the Place of Peace, the outdoor labyrinth, peace pole and reflection pool. 

“Some may be curious about why a Catholic university would create a Muslim prayer room but I think that answer lies in our mission,” said Mount Mary President Christine Pharr, Ph.D. “In the words of Pope Francis, ‘Catholics and Muslims are both descendants of the same father, Abraham. He encourages us to practice our mission of fraternity and (sorority) as we walk together as brothers and sisters of one human family.’”  

Read the article about the dedication ceremony in the  Wisconsin Muslim Journal at magazine.mtmary.edu.