A SACRED SPACE

HOUSTON METHODIST WEST HOSPITAL OPENS A SACRED SPACE IN THE MUSLIM TRADITION

Chaplain Ibrahim Oladejo used to lead Friday Jumah prayers for Houston Methodist West Muslim staffers off-site or in conference rooms. Now, thanks to his efforts, a dedicated on-campus Muslim prayer room is opening for staff, patients and their families.

Oladejo says he approached administrators with his idea for the space since the hospital has many Muslim physicians and staff members. “Jumah prayers require a minimum of 12 people,” he says. “We needed to be in a quiet space of our own away from distractions. I asked, ‘How can we get a space so we can pray in congregation?’”

Many staffers worked hard to help make Oladejo’s idea come to life. Drs. Irfan Iftikhar and Jamal Razzack helped lead the process, asking others to support the effort and even helping design the space. Thanks to their initiative, other physicians and community members contributed to making this project a reality.

An experienced imam, Oladejo says he was drawn to hospital work after seeing how much talking with a chaplain meant to a sick friend he was visiting.

He graduated from Houston Methodist’s Clinical Pastoral Education program in August 2020 and was hired shortly after as the hospital system’s first Muslim chaplain.

“There are many Muslim patients and family members who need someone who can easily connect with them,” Oladejo says. “It is comforting for them to receive emotional, spiritual and prayer support from someone of their same faith tradition, especially during this pandemic.”

The first floor North Atrium prayer room will accommodate more than 30 people. In addition to Jumah prayers, the space can host seminars, lectures and interfaith dialogues.

This is not the only Muslim prayer room in the system. The main campus of Houston Methodist Hospital has two Muslim prayer rooms, Houston Methodist Willowbrook opened its Muslim prayer room in June 2019, and another is in the planning stages at Houston Methodist Sugar Land.

“To God be the glory,” Oladejo adds. “Amen.”