In such precarious times in the United States, Delta College creates a safe space for Muslim students to worship freely.
Muslim students conduct five daily prayers. The lack of availability of a central campus location to pray could lead the faithful to delay or even miss prayers.
As of March 2025, Delta moved the Multi-faith/Meditation Room to Holt 201D, inside the Dreamers Success Center.
“That name is just an effort to be inclusive and make it clear that persons of all faiths and all backgrounds are welcome to use the room for personal meditation,” said Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Breitler.
The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been campaigning in California to get Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 passed, which would recognize April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. The month is observed to promote inclusivity, celebrate Muslim American accomplishments, and stand against Islamophobia.
At Delta, the Muslim Student Association stands behind a push to make the month designation official.
Muslims across the country have experienced a rise of Islamophobia, with a rise in verbal threats and hate crimes. From January to June 2024, CAIR received a total of 4,951 complaints of discrimination, a 69 percent increase over that same period in 2023.
“We here in the MSA strongly agree with the idea of a month celebrating American Muslims and their accomplishments,” said Sarah Obadi, Treasurer for the Delta Muslim Student Association. “I think it’s important that we Muslims are granted the same consideration as other religious groups, and I am pleased with the active work and progress our community has makes to ensure that consideration.”
Many cities have already recognized the month, including Berkeley, Dublin, Milpitas, Fremont, Richmond, San Ramon, and Manteca. Delta College hasn’t taken such actions, but has served students in securing a place for Muslims to pray while on campus.
The Multi-faith/Meditation room was previously located in the Administration Building, but was shut down due to the “misuse” of the room.
“The new room is less prone to people walking in and out and causing disruption,” Obadi said.
A sign on the door said “Prayer room is not to be used by Middle College High Schoolers per your principle.[SIC]” These students now have a separate room on the third floor of Holt.
