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Update on the Open Assembly Space in the Bahen Centre

Posted February 13, 2026

We’re sharing an update that has been made to the offerings of available prayer spaces on campus. After careful consideration, ongoing dialogue, and engagement with community members across campus, the University will be officially designating the open/assembly space located in the Bahen Centre for Information Technology as a Muslim prayer space.

For many years, this space has served as a daily prayer area for Muslim students, staff, and faculty for daily prayers. Community members have consistently noted that it is used by many on a daily basis and that improvements are needed so it can be properly supported and maintained for those who rely on it.

What this means:

  • The designation reflects how the space is already being used by the community.
  • University administration will take on responsibility for oversight, maintenance and support.
  • Enhancements will be made to better meet religious and accessibility needs.
  • Planned improvements will take place over the coming months, including access to enhanced equipment to facilitate prayer, storage solutions, and ablution stations and bidets in the adjacent washrooms. We’ll continue to share updates as timelines and logistics are confirmed. The Bahen prayer space will continue to function as a drop-in Muslim prayer space to support daily, time-specific prayer practices. To ensure equitable access and minimize barriers, the space will not currently be bookable.

Multiple multi-faith prayer and reflection spaces remain available across U of T’s three campuses, and these spaces will continue to be supported as part of the University’s commitment to inclusion, belonging and wellbeing.

The Multi-Faith Centre does not oversee the physical worship spaces across campus, except for the open assembly space in the Bahen Centre for Information Technology, which is now designated as a Muslim prayer space.

The Muslim Prayer Space in the Bahen Centre for Information Technology is by the café on the first floor:

  • Max. capacity 30 people.
  • Mats and storage available.
  • Washroom available.

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback and participated in conversations that helped guide this decision.

If you have questions or would like more information about prayer spaces on campus, please contact the Multi-Faith Centre at multi.faith@utoronto.ca.