Muslims students finally have a place to pray on campus.

The new Muslim prayer space was inaugurated Thursday evening in the IMU.

The two rooms, one for men and one for women, are located on the second floor. The inauguration comes after many failed attempts in previous years to designate a space for the sole purpose of prayer throughout the day for students who practice Islam.

The successful push for a space began midway through the fall semester of 2015, when leaders of the Muslim Student Association and Clinical Assistant Professor Motier Haskins brought the issue to Tom Rocklin, the UI vice president for Student Life.

“The IMU is home for them, too,” said William Nelson, the director of the IMU and Center for Student Involvement & Leadership. “It’s all about their needs, so we brought in new carpet, paint, and shoe racks to accommodate them.”

Dean of Students Lyn Redington aided in the process as well.

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“They’re students, members of our community,” she said. “Their faith has different requirements and expectations than others.”

The IMU was deemed as the ideal spot because of its central location and 24-hour accessibility. Muslims pray five times a day, so the need for a private space to go to in between classes was deemed vital.

“It’s not something you can just stand up and do,” said Saad Ansari, the president of the Muslim Student Association. “Muslim prayer is very physical and ritualistic. It can be scary to do in public.”

Going home or to the Iowa City Mosque, which is two miles away from main campus during the day to have a secluded spot isn’t always possible, said Gada Al-Herz of the Muslim Student Association. Having to pray in corners, hallways, or stairwells has historically been a challenge for Muslims on campus, she said.

“It’s really hard and awkward to pray in the hall while people are walking back and forth right by you,” she said. “Not being able to have school and faith work together is difficult.”

The new praying rooms, while a milestone for the Muslim Student Association, are not its ultimate goal, Al-Herz said.

Members hope to expand to another building with more space in the future, perhaps a multicultural center that some have talked about building, Ansari said

He said he hopes the new prayer space will help bring in those that may not be as devoted to Islam.