Multi-faith AFAN (All Faiths And None) Room

GUIDANCE

The multi-faith AFAN room is a place for spiritual reflection and exploration for everyone, regardless of religious or non-religious belief.

The multi-faith AFAN room is designed to be conducive to individual prayer, meditation and reflection and will contain appropriate facilities to assist the prayers of members of major religious traditions. While the multi-faith AFAN room can be used for individual prayer, it is recognised that for Muslim prayer there is an additional blessing when the faithful pray with another or others. While this is fully respected, it is expected that the multi-faith AFAN room will be shared openly with those of other religious traditions who may wish to pray at the same time and those who may just wish to think and reflect.

The multi-faith AFAN room will be signposted in the College.

Code of Practice

All users of the multi-faith AFAN room are expected to:

·  Exercise self-restraint and a concern for the freedom and dignity of others.

·  Respect other people’s freedom to express their beliefs and convictions in worship and prayer.

·  Respect the convictions of others about food, dress and social etiquette and not behave in a way to cause offence.

·  Not be disparaging of other people’s faiths and practices.

·  Not actively seek to persuade others to join their faith.

·  Report any concerns regarding room usage to College Reception Staff as soon as identified.

Rules for use of the multi-faith AFAN room (to be displayed inside and on the door of the room)

·  Users of the multi-faith AFAN room should respect each other and their views.

·  The multi-faith AFAN room is available to all, at all reasonable times.

·  No particular group has any exclusive rights to use the multi-faith room.

·  The multi-faith AFAN room is not bookable.

·  The multi-faith AFAN room may only be used by students and staff of the College and official visitors to the College.

·  Storage for religious items is in the cupboard provided.

·  Items should not be removed from the room unless they belong to the person.

·  Anything which is used (e.g. prayer mats, scarves, holy books, other artefacts or aids to prayer) in the multi-faith AFAN room must be stored away in the cupboard or removed before the users leave the room. Users of the room should be respectful of these items.

·  There will be no burning of incense or candles.

·  There will be no eating, drinking or smoking in the multi-faith AFAN room.