Five times a day, Wichita State senior Esra Barut must find a quiet, empty row of books in Ablah Library to practice her faith.

She stands, bows, kneels, bows. It’s an Islamic ritual called “Salat,” which involves a repetition of prescribed actions and words to communicate with God.

Barut and hundreds of other Muslim students on campus must find a quiet space — the library, a friend’s dorm room, a sorority house — to pray, hopefully on a soft, comfortable surface.

Some days, Barut said, students studying in the library get curious.

“We just have to find wherever is free,” she said, “and people pass by and they’re looking like ‘what is that?’ So, I mean, that’s why this space would be amazing because people can address that curiosity.”

The space Barut referred to is the Grace Memorial Chapel — located in the center of campus, north of the Rhatigan Student Center — where students, faculty, staff and community members and leaders met Tuesday morning for a discussion on a renovation project called “Interfaith Prayer Space.”

In the last year, WSU’s Student Government Association has worked to gather support to renovate the chapel “into a flexible, faith neutral space where the spiritual needs of all students, faculty and staff can be accommodated,” a proposal states.

‘Predominately Judeo-Christian environment’

The chapel was built in 1963 with the intention of it being used by “any group for religious services,” the SGA proposal reads. The university website described it as “nonsectarian.”

The main problem, Student Body President Matt Conklin said at the discussion, is that the chapel’s pews are bolted down and are forward-facing, limiting the space for other religious practices — such as salat. The removal of pews in the front of the chapel and installation of carpet would cost $4,400, he said.

Other limitations Conklin discussed are that the chapel’s restrooms are considered limiting for washing rituals included in the Islamic ritual.

The proposal said the chapel portrays a “predominately Judeo-Christian environment.”

The proposal also requests for a centralized office to help facilitate scheduling and consistent communication — Conklin suggested the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, located on the second floor of the RSC.

‘A road block’

The proposal for an Interfaith Prayer Space has been supported by a number of students, Conklin said, and was recently presented to the university administration for final approval.

But, he said, there’s been “a road block.”

“There’s been resistance because of the perceived political consequences of converting this space,” Conklin said. “But I am convinced that there are more positives, more to gain, from renovating this space as an interfaith facility than the possible consequences.”

Tuesday’s discussion touched on possible Islamophobia and the security of funds from the state level as reasoning for the resistance.

Conklin also said the university has suggested “counter proposals,” to instead renovate a space in the RSC or build a new space on Innovation Campus. But creating a separate interfaith area is “based on the premise of separate but equal,” Conklin said.

“If we were to not change this chapel … we would have a Christian space only accepting of Christians,” sophomore Matthew Brinkmeyer said, “and everybody else is lumped together and put in a different place.”

Members of the audience expressed concerns in the difference between “tolerance” and “acceptance,” and how two different spaces would only represent tolerance of different faiths.

“This is the exact center of the campus, this is where everyone passes by,” Barut said. “So this would be the most ideal spot to have an Interfaith Prayer Space.

“And, it was initially made for interfaith. If they’re making another one, what does this building represent if they’re making another space? Is it only to accommodate one faith?”

Next actions

Ali BenAyed, president of the Muslim Student Association, presented a petition to the WSU Supreme Court Wednesday afternoon for a Judicial Review Request.

The Supreme Court reviewed the Grace Memorial Chapel and if the current space violates Article 4, Section 1 of the Student Bill of Rights, which states that students “shall enjoy the same freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and right of petition that other citizens enjoy and as members of the academic community.”

The court heard testimony from BenAyed, Conklin and others who wished to offer support for the proposal, before returning with the review.

Each Justice offered their opinion before the final ruling was read. Many of the justices suggested that SGA might consider amending the Student Bill of Rights to include “right to religion,” but Chief Justice Taylor Tracy disagreed.

“I do believe the word ‘right’ includes religion,” Tracy said, “and I do believe that the chapel is not being used to its fullest extent.”

Personal feelings aside, the Supreme Court could not give a definitive ruling without an official “yes” or “no” from WSU because while there is a violation, there is no action to rule on.

The official Supreme Court review will be authored and on file by noon Friday. Conklin said he felt the hearing was productive.

“I understand the restraints the court has and their ability to direct people [and] petitioners to the best possible path of action,” Conklin said. “I know that regardless of their opinion, the powers to be, the administration can ultimately do what they want.”

— Contributing: LaRissa Lawrie of The Sunflower