HEADS bowed in contemplation, hundreds of Muslims yesterday took to praying outside in a London street.
The religious ceremony took place at London’s City University after the institution’s Islamic prayer room was closed following a racist knife attack on four students outside the building last year. But Muslim clerics said they could not worship in a room where other religions also prayed.
The sight of hundreds praying in Northampton Square – which is lined with million-pound townhouses – has now become a familiar sight every Friday lunchtime to mark the Islamic holy day. Last night the University defended the decision to close the Islamic prayer room.
A spokesman said: “Following the incident last year the university responded to concerns from students about their safety by finding alternative space in a more central location. “Practice in other universities show many Muslims pray where others have been – City has already seen its new space used by some of its Muslim students
