A blog reader asked me about this, and I thought I’d pose the
question to the list. Orlando Airport is apparently spending $250,000 to build
a “reflection room” where Muslim travelers can more conveniently pray,
especially given the expansion of the airline Emirates at the airport. See
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-orlando-international-airport-reflection-room-20150808-story.html
. The reflection room is in addition to “the small, nondenominational chapel
tucked away on Airside B, just past the security checkpoint,” where Muslim
travelers sometimes now go (and where there are some prayer rugs available for
them). The reflection room would be open to all religious groups, as I
understand it, but will be primarily designed with Muslim travelers in mind.
Now I don’t think this should be a problematic accommodation,
any more than serving kosher meals (or halal meals) in those government
cafeterias in which there is sufficient demand. But I wonder whether there
might nonetheless be a First Amendment problem under the 1970s cases barring
the use of government funds for physical places where religious services will
be held. (I realize the issue arises as to “reflection rooms” more broadly as
well.) What do people on the list think about it? Thanks,
Eugene
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