False Claims Circulate About Prayer Rooms at Katunayake Airport
FactSeeker has noticed a post circulating on social media claiming that prayer spaces at Katunayake International Airport, designated for Muslim worship, will be repurposed for other needs if not utilized by Muslims.
by Anonymous |
December 6, 2024
The viral post in question alleges that airport authorities have requested Muslim passengers to spend time in the prayer rooms, warning that these spaces might otherwise be repurposed.
The post being shared on social media states:
“At Katunayake Airport, all Muslim brothers and sisters are requested by the airport authorities to spend some time in the prayer rooms. These rooms are currently not in use as no one is conducting prayers there. The airport authorities have decided that if these rooms are not used for prayers by Muslims, they will be repurposed for other needs. Therefore, to ensure the success of your journey and to preserve these spaces, the airport authorities are requesting all Muslim brothers and sisters to dedicate 5 to 10 minutes for prayers in these prayer rooms while you are at the airport. Please share this message in other groups as well. May Allah reward your efforts.”
As this post has been widely shared on social media, FactSeeker looked into the matter.
FactSeeker looked into the authenticity of the claim and found no official announcements or credible reports from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) authorities regarding the alleged repurposing of prayer rooms. To further verify, FactSeeker reached out to the Duty Manager at the airport, who confirmed that the prayer rooms remain operational and are fully equipped with the necessary facilities for Muslim worship.
The official also clarified that these prayer rooms are a mandatory provision under international airport standards and cannot be removed or repurposed, regardless of how often they are utilized.
In addition to this, FactSeeker discovered that the same message had been circulated on social media in 2021. This indicates that the claim is not new but a recycled version of misinformation.
FactSeeker confirms that the claim circulating on social media about prayer rooms at Katunayake International Airport being repurposed due to underutilization is entirely false. These spaces are a permanent part of the airport’s infrastructure, established to meet international requirements and provide necessary facilities for Muslim passengers.
