Multifaith space

Multifaith prayer room in Hong Kong International Airport

Multi-faith prayer room sign in London Heathrow Airport

A multifaith space or multifaith prayer room is a quiet location set aside in a busy public place (hospital, university, airport, etc.) where people of differing religious beliefs, or none at all, are able to spend time in contemplation or prayer.^[1] Many of these spaces are "small, clean and largely unadorned areas", which can be adapted and serve for any religious or spiritual practice.^[2] Rarely, persons of different faiths may come together in such spaces within the context of multifaith worship services.^[3][4]

The space may^[5] or may not^[6] be a dedicated place of worship. A recent research project at the University of Manchester, UK has conceptualised the modern multifaith space as "an intentional space, designed to both house a plurality of religious practices, as well as address clearly defined pragmatic purposes."^[2]

Design Concepts

Ablution facility in the University of Toronto's multifaith building

The Manchester University research highlighted two key factors for a multifaith space to work:

• There needs to be a balance achieved for the range of different users most likely to make regular use of the space, thus preventing conflict. All norms and values need to be considered and respected, which often leads to an "unstable equilibrium where divergent worldviews can be brought together." Social cooperation and openness must be possible within the space.
• Most multifaith spaces maintain a very basic design, in order to minimize the visibility of a single faith group, whilst remaining easily adaptable to the many different practices for which the space may be utilized. Each space raises question of ethics and "national style", in which different faith members are able to participate in a mutually respectful, yet cooperative, manner.^[2]

Interfaith Youth Cooperation

Presidents Challenge

U.S. President Barack Obama, in the fall of 2011 launched the "President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge" in which he encourages interfaith cooperation and community service, using that service as a tool to build common ground between the various faith groups involved. This creates a platform from which to launch peaceful and productive dialogue.

Following the program launch, approximately 250 colleges and universities made "the vision for interfaith cooperation and community service a reality on campuses across the country."^[7]

Campuses

According to the Interfaith Youth Core the campus concept makes a good model, as campuses can be categorized as diverse communities, active in community service work, and take an important role in the larger community. The acts and behaviors of students can impact a campus environment and climate, which can then, in the long run, have an impact in society at large.^[8] Campuses across the world join this movement to foster interfaith cooperation.^[9][10]

Better Together

Better Together is a national student campaign for interfaith action, allowing students to engage and voice their opinions in working together toward bettering the community. Better Together promotes leadership rooted in a person’s beliefs, builds community no matter how different those beliefs may seem, and that strong community is able to serve others.^[11]

See also

• Religious pluralism
• Religious toleration
• Universalism

References

1. Hewson, Chris (March 1, 2012). "What are MFS?". University of Manchester. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
2. Hewson, Chris (January 1, 2010). "Multi-faith Spaces: Symptoms and Agents of Religious and Social Change". University of Manchester. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
3. Orlando, Joe (October 18, 2001). "St. John's Multifaith Service Honors WTC Victims". Queens Courier. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
4. Surin, Jacqueline Ann (September 27, 2007). "A Rare Show of Mutual Regard". theSun. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
5. Thomas, Anne (September 25, 2006). "Prince Charles Could be Crowned in Multifaith Ceremony". Christian Today. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
6. Kim, Theodore (March 28, 2008). "Plano OKs Prayer Event at City Hall". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
7. "President Challenge". Interfaith Youth Core. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
8. Interfaith Youth Core. "MODEL CAMPUS ENGAGEMENTS Advancing Interfaith Cooperation on Campuswork" (PDF). Retrieved February 20, 2013.
9. "Student leaders are the foundation to leading the next chapter in the inspiring story of interfaith."
10. "IFYC on Campus". Interfaith Youth Core. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
11. "Better Together". Interfaith Youth Core. Retrieved February 20, 2013.