History

Muslim students began arriving on the campus of the University of Tulsa in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Muslim Student Organization of TU (MSA-TU) was formed and began working on plans to provide a place for Muslim students to perform their obligatory prayers. At one point, a corner of the Allen Chapman Activity Center was reserved for the MSA-TU, but it did not last long as a place of prayer. In 1998, however, MSA-TU was allowed to use the old ROTC building on the south side of campus as a temporary prayer space. The building was slated for demolition, but was usable until a permanent structure could be found. The prayer house actually provided a nice home for TU Muslim students until 2004 when construction of the TU Masjid was completed. There is no designated Imam, but MSA-TU holds annual elections of officers who are responsible to coordinate with the Islamic Society of Tulsa concerning the affairs of the Masjid.

Demographics

MSA-TU currently has around 115 members. Most are Arab foreign exchange students, but some are American-born Muslims and even converts. The TU Masjid is mainly used by TU students, but the center is welcoming of any Muslim who wishes to join prayers at the center. Prayers have an average attendance of 10-20 worshippers, but Friday prayers can draw as many as 40.

Description

The center sits on the corner of 4th Place and Florence Avenue on the north side of the TU campus. It shares the block with other campus religious centers. The building itself is modest in size and decor. It contains two main rooms: the male prayer room downstairs and the female prayer room upstairs. The rooms are carpeted with lines to instruct worshippers which way to face. Ritual cleansing rooms are adjacent to both prayer rooms.

Activities and Schedule

The TU Masjid is open for all prayer times required by Islamic tradition. In addition, the center hosts dinners, classes, and meetings. Prayers are open to the public and tours can be arranged through MSA-TU.

Other

The TU Masjid is actually the second of its kind in Tulsa. The larger Masjid Al-Salam has existed in Tulsa for about 10 years. There was a strong need on campus to aid Muslim students to fulfill the educational and religious commitments, and another Masjid was the answer.