Will there still be a place to pray? Meditation room in G-building closing in December

The meditation centre in the G-building will close at the end of 2025 with the closure of the building. A new space was set to be established in the renovated Tinbergen building, but that plan has been scrapped. Where will students be able to go to pray in the future?

Council member Achraf Taouil (Erasmus Student Coalition) raised the issue recently in a University Council meeting. A new location has already been found for various users of the G-building, such as Erasmus Magazine and the faculty association EFR. However, not for the meditiation room.

'Not good enough'

There was a plan to relocate the centre to Tinbergen, scheduled for renovation completion in 2027. But that plan is scrapped, a university spokesperson wrote via email. “The intended location in Tinbergen does not meet the requirements for a meditation room. It should be a quiet and accessible location, preferably on the ground floor and with extended opening hours.”

The university is ‘actively searching for an alternative location’, ideally opening from the moment the G-building closes. The spokesperson could not provide further details at this time.

Washing feet

Taouil hopes a solution will be found in time. Whether that is in Tinbergen, Theil or another building doesn’t matter to him. “It is primarily important that a new space is made available for students and staff who use the meditation room”, says Taouil. He also emphasises the need for facilities for washing feet. “The room used to be located in the V-building, which still offers special facilities for that in the men’s restroom”, suggests Taouil. However, the V-building is also slated for closure at the end of 2025.