Grafton Quiet Space opened this year

Wāhi Āio, a new quiet space on Grafton Campus, was formally opened on 23 July 2021 after calls from the Muslim student community for a place on campus for daily prayers. While being a space for meditation and reflection, Wāhi Āio is predominantly a place for prayers and allows for the congregation of the University Muslim community.

Shahela Qureshi, the University’s Muslim chaplain, described the journey to this point as a long one, and acknowledged how amazing it was for University staff and students to gather at a Dawn Blessing Service to officially open this important student space.

“Having everyone present and concluding the ceremony with our Fajr (dawn) congregational prayer was truly wonderful” she said.

“The Māori model of Te Whare Tapa Wha reminds us how important Taha Wairau is, and without which a house cannot stand.

In Islam one of the pillars of our faith and cornerstone of our spiritual health is the five daily prayers. So, having a space like this, and in other places across the University, are necessities for the well-being of Muslim students and staff, and not just a nice-to-have.”

The Grafton Quiet Space now enables students and staff members to practice daily prayers easily and contribute to a sense of belonging to the University.

You can visit Wāhi Āio – Grafton at:
Building 528, 8 Park Avenue
Grafton Campus