Orlando international airport to open reflection room for Muslim travelers

Tuesday 11 Aug 2015 - 12:23 Makkah mean time-26-10-1436

(Image from internet)

Orlando, (IINA) – As Emirates Airlines will start flying in and out of Orlando international airport daily within a few weeks, each jet carrying hundreds of passengers from the Middle East and beyond, the airport is aimed to spend almost $250,000 to build a reflection room where Muslim people can pray, Orlando Sentinel reported.
Many Emirates travelers will be Muslims, prompting the airport authorities to spend almost $250,000 to build a reflection room where Muslims can pray. It should be open for the inaugural flight on September 1.
The room will feature an ablution area, or clean zone, carry-on-luggage bins and shoe racks, as well as directional signs for north, south, east and west.
"Orlando is truly becoming a global community, and we want to be able to accommodate and provide high-quality amenities for all our passengers," Airport Director Phil Brown said in a written statement to the Orlando Sentinel.
Right now, Muslims at Orlando International airport must pray in public places or to go to small nondenominational chapel tucked away on airside B, just past the security checkpoint. There are a couple of prayer rugs available there.
Shayan Modarres, an Orlando civil-rights attorney and Muslim, said the reflection room will be a welcome addition for the followers of Islam.
Many Muslims, he said, have felt isolated and uncomfortable in this country after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. But having a reflection room at the airport, he said, "is a great step in the right direction, especially for tolerance and inclusion."
Modarres predicted the room will be popular with Muslims, who typically pray five times a day while facing east, which is the direction of the holy city of Makkah.
"This is the right message we need to send," Modarres said. "It's reconciliation."
For his part, Imam Mohammad Musri, president of the Islamic society of central Florida, said the room also will be open to other faiths.
"Travel involves anxiety. People are anxious when they fly," he said. "They like to have space where they can relax and pray."
A reflection room, he said, shows Orlando truly is an international destination.
In addition to the reflection room, airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said, Orlando International aiport also intends to build another chapel and place in the main terminal, where it can be reached without going through security.
No budget or construction schedule has been set yet. and Fennell is not certain whether the existing chapel will remain open or be closed.
SM/IINA

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