A Good Conversation..

Brother Umar and I had a meeting with Vice Chancellor of the University of Canterbury, Tom Gregg, yesterday. The conversation that we had was regarding our petition about expansion of the current prayer room, which is not adequate to accommodate the increasing number of Muslim students in the university right now. Alhamdulillah, the session ran smoothly.

Tom first explained about the current situation of the management in the university; how a decision regarding University assets and building is made, a little bit of history of the uni (Canterbury is the latest uni in New Zea to accept international students); the debate that is currently running through about our petition, parties involved and all the things that we should know in order to find for the solution.

Among all the facts, I was interested when he said that the educational policies in NZ are consists of 3 words:

1. Free
2.Compulsory
3. Secular

The third one grabbed my attention the most. This word has a very significant effect on the decision upon our request to the university. It states that the university shall not provide any sort of religious support to the student as the main aim is only for education and research. I was quite afraid if this policy wouldn't allow us to have any prayer room at all.

But after Tom finished his explanation, brother Umar started his pledge by comparing the system in NZ with the one in Canada in which he was there couple of years before. Islam is different from other religion; we pray 5 times a day. Therefore the level of need of a prayer room is higher. Then he explained the current condition and difficulties that we are facing nowadays. He also talked from the business point of view, that the 'customer' is always right..The international students bring a lot of income to the university, thus, although the population is just 16%, they still need to cater for the students' needs. After a deep discussion and thought, we came to find some solutions to our petition. The solution was divided into 2; temporary and permanent.

Temporary
- The current prayer room (behind the ISS office) still can be used. Meanwhile, the
students will be given the right to use a space in the Uni Canter Student Association
(UCSA) building only for Friday prayer and at night during the month of Ramadhan.

Permanent
- The student will be given an exclusive place within the university area to be used as
their prayer room. This plan has to be included in uni's cycle of plan pertaining the
assets and building which takes place once in for years. So in-shaa-Allah, we will have
our own bigger prayer room 4 years time.


I was quite satisfied and happy for the solution that we have agreed upon. Instead of having Jumaah prayer at the Language Centre, we will perform it at the UCSA building, which is nearer to the students' accommodation, and a good sign of dakwah bil hal to the others as well.

This is the best that I, during the period of MUSA President, can do regarding this issue. Maybe we cannot see the results now, but it will be helpful for the future generation in-shaa-Allah. I learned a lot from our conversation yesterday.

1. To be mindful when dealing with someone in high position, especially in choosing appropriate words (which shows you maturity) and body language.
2. To put your argument in a very well-mannered way, which doesn't hurt others, but in the same time, the message is successfully conveyed.
3. To respect people with their own religion, cultures, values and principal.
4. To be calm and firm with your stand. (which can only be attained from qiamullail)

As a conclusion, I really hope that this can be a starting step in bringing a better future for the Muslims in Canterbury University. A thousand mile journey begins with the first step. May Allah accept all our good deeds. Ameen..