For years, the "Prayer Room" was a tick-box exercise—usually a grim, windowless cupboard near the loading bay. Today, it is a flagship metric of an inclusive workplace.

This guide is for Facilities Managers (FMs), Architects, and DEI Leads. We move beyond "nice to have" and look at the hard specs: hygiene, orientation, soundproofing, and the complex diplomacy of Multi-Faith usage.

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1. The Physical Specification

Square Footage

The days of guessing are over. A standard Muslim prayer mat is approximately 0.6m x 1.2m. However, a person needs space to bow and prostrate comfortably.

• Minimum Viable Space: 2m x 2m (Fits 1-2 people).
• Recommended Standard: 4m x 4m (Fits 4-6 people + Shoe storage).

Orientation (Qibla)

Muslims pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca. In the UK, this is roughly South-East (118-120 degrees).

The Architect's Trap: Ideally, the room should be rectangular aligned with this axis. If the room is rotated 45 degrees against the Qibla, people have to pray diagonally across the room, which wastes 50% of the floor space. Mark the Qibla on the ceiling or wall clearly to avoid confusion.

The "Shoe Hazard" Solution

Muslims remove shoes before prayer. In a small room, a pile of leather brogues and boots at the doorway is a massive Trip Hazard (and a Fire Safety violation).

Spec Requirement: You MUST install deep shoe racks (shelving) immediately inside or outside the door. Do not rely on floor space.

2. The "Wudu" Infrastructure Crisis

This is the #1 point of friction in corporate estates. Before prayer, Muslims perform Wudu (ablution), which involves washing the face, arms, and feet.

The WuduMate Solution

If you are serious about inclusion, install a dedicated Wudu unit (like a WuduMate). These are low-level basins with a seat and foot trough. They keep water contained and allow safe, dignified washing. The ROI on preventing one "Slip and Fall" lawsuit covers the installation cost instantly.

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3. Managing "Multi-Faith" Conflicts

This is the elephant in the room. You have one room, but you have Muslims (Salah), Christians (Quiet reflection), and staff wanting to do Yoga/Meditation. How do you manage the clash?

Conflict A: The "Visuals" (Idols vs Emptiness)

The Issue: Muslims and Jews generally pray in spaces free of iconography. Hindus or Catholics may wish to use statues, crosses, or images.

The Solution: The "Cupboard Policy"
The room itself must remain neutral (bare walls). Provide a dedicated, respectful cabinet or cupboard where religious items (Crosses, Murtis, Prayer beads, Qurans) are stored. Users take them out to pray and put them back afterwards. No permanent shrines should be left on desks/floors in a shared space.

Conflict B: The "Sound" (Chanting vs Silence)

The Issue: Muslim prayer involves recitation (sometimes audible, usually whisper). Meditation requires silence. Charismatic Christian prayer can be vocal.

The Solution: "Library Rules"
The default state of the room should be "Library Silence" or "Murmur only". Group congregational prayers (like Friday Jummah) which involve sermons must be booked in a separate meeting room, not the small multi-faith pod.

Conflict C: The "Yoga" Overlap

Wellness is booming. Staff will want to use the room for midday Yoga or Mindfulness.

The Friction: A Muslim prays on a mat that must be clean (ritually pure). A Yoga user might walk on the floor with gym socks or bare feet that have walked in corridors.

The Protocol:

• No Shoes Zone: Strictly enforced.
• BYO Mat: Yoga users should bring their own mats and NOT use the religious prayer mats for exercise.
• Priority: Religious observance (which is time-critical like Salah) usually takes precedence over flexible wellness checks during peak times (1pm-2pm).

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4. Etiquette & Culture

Don't Walk in Front!

If you enter a room and see a Muslim standing/bowing in prayer, do not walk directly in front of them. They are focusing on their Creator. Walking between them and the wall breaks their focus (and technically their prayer connection). Walk *behind* them.

Gender Separation

Orthodox Jewish and Islamic norms often require separation of sexes during prayer. In a small single room, men and women cannot pray comfortably together.

The Low-Tech Fix: A simple retractable curtain rail costs £50 and solves this instantly. It allows simultaneous usage without awkwardness.