Hundreds of Muslim students have been reading Jumu'ah (Friday prayers) outside City University in London for a month in protest by the university to close a dedicated room used for Jumu'ah (Friday prayers).

City University has been accused of discrimination by the Muslim students and have formed Muslim Voices on Campus, calling on the university to reverse its decision saying it was being unjustly targeted.The university decided to close the room because Muslim students had refused to submit the proposed content of sermons to the university before prayers to check its "appropriateness".

In an open letter, the protesters also point out that the multi-faith room can accommodate only 40 people, which is too small for the number of Muslims who need to pray.  All-male groups have been praying on the pavement outside City since 15 February, with more than 200 reportedly turning up for Friday prayers in Northampton Square.

The students also declare that “multi-faith” alternatives are unacceptable because “a vast number of Muslim scholars throughout history believe it is impermissible for Muslims to offer prayers in a place where [a god] other than Allah, is worshipped”.

Wasif Sheikh, who leads the group, said: "We feel we are being unjustly targeted. All of our sermons are open, we welcome all students and all staff.But when you start submitting your sermons to be monitored and scrutinized then there's a chance for it to be dictated what's allowed and what's not allowed. We, as students, don't accept that."

The issue of began three years ago when a report was released on sermons by the Quilliam Foundation. The organisation claimed hard line views and a confrontational atmosphere were being encouraged.

Dr Usama Hasan from the Quilliam Foundation said: "If there was no past history at the university, I think what the students are saying would sound extremely reasonable. However, there has been quite a vicious and nasty history there.”

“Both sides need to compromise here and negotiate with some difficult conversations,” he added.

Meanwhile the university said it needed to be sure of the "appropriateness" of what was being discussed in sermons as authorized university events. It said it also needed to be assured that all "students eligible to deliver" prayers and sermons "are considered equally and given the opportunity to do so"

The university emphasized it could not continue to condone an activity taking place on its premises where it cannot exercise reasonable supervision and suggested a number of alternative places for students to pray nearby.