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Muslim Student Life

Welcome to the Muslim Student Life page! We are happy to be your home at St. Thomas. This page has several resources for you, such as information about Muslim Clubs, Prayer Spaces, and different events happening around campus. St. Thomas has Muslim students from more than 22 different countries of the world. We look forward to meeting with and serving this very diverse group of Muslim students on campus.

Today’s Prayer Times


Guests praying during ramadan

Salat-ul-Jum’a

Friday Prayers

Join us every Friday for Salat-ul-Jum’a prayers in Schoenecker Hall at the Iversen Center for Faith. Muslim students lead prayer and deliver sermons and a light Halal lunch is served after each session.

Our prayer times shift with the daylight time savings. Following are the two schedules:

November-March

12:30 p.m. – first session (Khutba and Iqama)

1:45 p.m. – second session (Khutba and Iqama)

March-November

1:15 p.m. – first session (Khutba and Iqama)

1:45 p.m. – second session (Khutba and Iqama)

If you are interested in leading Friday Prayers or giving sermons, please contact Dr. Sadaf Rauf Shier.

  • Prayer/Meditation Spaces
  • Wudu Stations
  • Watering Pots for Al Tahara

    • Muslim Prayer and Meditation Spaces

    Campus meditation rooms are open to people from all faith traditions at the following locations. Muslim students frequently use these rooms for their daily prayers. For Muslim students, prayer rugs and Kaba locators are available in those rooms. There are also some yoga cushions in the cabinets. See Campus Meditation Spaces for room hours.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • Anderson Student Center (ASC 251)
    • Iversen Center for Faith (ICF LL 12)

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • Opus Hall Meditation Room (MOH 200)
    • School of Law Meditation Room

    Wudu Stations

    Separate Wudu Stations for Muslim men and women are available on campus at the following locations.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • Iversen Center for Faith, Lower Level

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • Opus Hall Meditation Room (MOH 200)

    Watering Pots for Al Tahara

    Watering pots for Al Tahara are available in the following restrooms on campus.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • All four levels of the Anderson Student Center
    • Iversen Center for Faith
    • All levels of the Summit Classroom Building

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • OPUS Hall – Across from School of Education
    • Dougherty Family College
    • School of Law

    Prayer/Meditation Spaces

    Muslim Prayer and Meditation Spaces

    Campus meditation rooms are open to people from all faith traditions at the following locations. Muslim students frequently use these rooms for their daily prayers. For Muslim students, prayer rugs and Kaba locators are available in those rooms. There are also some yoga cushions in the cabinets. See Campus Meditation Spaces for room hours.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • Anderson Student Center (ASC 251)
    • Iversen Center for Faith (ICF LL 12)

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • Opus Hall Meditation Room (MOH 200)
    • School of Law Meditation Room

    Wudu Stations

    Wudu Stations

    Separate Wudu Stations for Muslim men and women are available on campus at the following locations.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • Iversen Center for Faith, Lower Level

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • Opus Hall Meditation Room (MOH 200)

    Watering Pots for Al Tahara

    Watering Pots for Al Tahara

    Watering pots for Al Tahara are available in the following restrooms on campus.

    St. Paul Campus:

    • All four levels of the Anderson Student Center
    • Iversen Center for Faith
    • All levels of the Summit Classroom Building

    Minneapolis Campus:

    • OPUS Hall – Across from School of Education
    • Dougherty Family College
    • School of Law

    Annual Events

    Our Muslim Chaplain collaborates with various departments in St. Thomas to host several Iftar gatherings during Ramadan. We also celebrate Eid on campus. Other events include the Muslim student retreat, lectures, info sessions, a community gathering with light lunch after salat ul Jumma.

    Ramadan

    During Ramadan, we offer a variety of opportunities to break the fast, engage with community and hear from special speakers, along with other activities.
    Ramadan at St. Thomas

    Eid

    Eid is a sacred time of celebration and prayers in Islam. Muslims celebrate three Eids each year.
    Eid at St. Thomas

    Student Clubs

    Muslim Student Association

    The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a vibrant and dedicated student club that promotes and broadens awareness of Muslim culture among students, faculty, and the staff of the University of St. Thomas as the Muslim population continues to grow in Minnesota.
    Learn about Muslim Student Association

    Somali Student Association

    The Somali Student Association educates students on the various aspects of Somali culture via critical dialogue and heritage exploration. They work to inform and encourage cultural awareness by presenting rich culture and diverse heritage to the St. Thomas community through activities and events.
    Learn about Somali Student Association

    Hear from Our Students

    We asked our students: ‘What do you want to say to people at St. Thomas?’ and their perception about hijab. Watch the videos to hear their answers.

    Meet Our Muslim Faith Leader

    Dr. Sadaf Rauf Shier headshot

    Dr. Sadaf Rauf Shier

    I’m Dr. Sadaf Rauf Shier and I have been Associate Chaplain Islamic Faith since April 2018. I was born in Lahore, Pakistan. I came to the United States to pursue higher education. I teach a First-Year-Experience (FYE) course and am available to help students of all faiths succeed and grow at St. Thomas. Urdu and Punjabi are my native languages.
    Learn about Dr. Sadaf Rauf Shier