Demand mounts for prayer-room at Mangaluru Airport

Mangaluru: The lack of a prayer-room at Mangaluru International Airport has been causing inconveniences to many air passengers, especially for those who offer prayers regularly. Many Muslim passengers currently offer prayer in a congested area near the washroom at the new integrated terminal building.

The airport has seen an increase in visitors from the Middle Eastern countries in recent year and there would be more flights, including non-stop service, to and from many Muslim countries in the future. Moreover, a considerable number of other international and domestic air passengers find it difficult to offer prayer in the bustling area.

According to Mohammad Asif, a Mangaluru-origin entrepreneur and CEO of Amaco Group of Companies, Saudi Arabia, having a prayer-room at the airport would be a step in the right direction.

He said that he had already requested the local elected representatives and the director of Mangaluru International Airport on behalf of many air passengers to seriously plan to provide a prayer-room.

“A multi-faith prayer-room is being used by people of all faiths at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. A similar prayer-room at Mangaluru International Airport would provide a place for reflection and prayer for passengers, employees, visitors and others using the airport,” he said.

U T Khader, Health and Family Welfare Minister of Karnataka, who also hails from Mangaluru, said that he had raised the issue with the airport authorities, who have positively responded and promised to fulfill the demand of the passengers.

He also said that a multi-faith prayer-room would help create an atmosphere of communal harmony and spirituality at the Airport.

J T Radhakrishnan, Director, Mangaluru International Airport, said that following the fresh demands for a multi-faith prayer room, he held discussions with the engineers at the Airport.

“There is a demand for a prayer-room which includes a space for ablution orwudu'. But, we need to make certain arrangements in advance,” he said, adding that experts are planning to create such a prayer-hall at the security hold area.