A test of faith has been asked of Homerton students by their College, who request written proof of religion when students make faith-based requests for accommodation.

When requesting a fridge in their room on religious grounds, Homerton students are asked to provide a letter of support from a member of a religious institution. Similar rules apply for those asking the college to provide them with a personal fridge, and for students purchasing their own appliance. The college has been requesting this proof from as early as 2019.

Varsity understands that Homerton is the only Cambridge college to request proof of religion for faith-based needs.

Student A was asked to supply proof before purchasing a fridge for their room. When asked for written proof from a local imam attesting to the student’s Islamic faith, they said: “It was very strange. I’ve never been asked to prove my faith before.”

The student did not challenge the college’s request, and told Varsity: “I didn’t show any resistance because I was new. So, I wasn’t accustomed to how the university operates.”

The student said they received a “very basic letter” from their local imam. An example letter from Cambridge Central Mosque, seen by Varsity, declares that the student is “part of [their] Muslim congregation”. The letter requests the college to “adhere to [the student’s] religious needs”.

“I could’ve made it myself and they wouldn’t have known”, the student told Varsity.

Student B described the request for proof of faith as a “weird thing to ask” but acknowledged that they “get why college do”.

When this student requested a fridge for their room, however, they did not approach a local imam for written proof. The student instead “just got my dad to write a letter”.

Despite Student C providing the college with adequate proof, the college did not provide them with a fridge for their room. “They still didn’t get me a fridge as they promised, giving other excuses and so I just left it,” claims the student.

“This was a major issue before since the college did not provide any halal options,” said the student, who requested the fridge in their first year. Since then, the student says “there has been progress” as the college more regularly provides Halal food for normal meals and for formals upon request.

Another Muslim student, however, described the limited kitchen facilities at Homerton as “a joke” particularly for students of faith. The student, who bought their own fridge for faith reasons, also told Varsity: “for a college that doesn’t have ovens nor freezers, asking for one shouldn’t have to be such a hassle. It’s a joke that we need to provide it.”

Other students have been more understanding of Homerton’s approach to faith-based accommodation needs. “It is a weird thing to ask but I get why they do. I haven’t had any problems,” one student told Varsity.

Students requesting fridges on medical and mental health grounds are also asked for supporting documents. “To be fair to college, they even ask those who need it for medication for proof. So it isn’t a discriminatory process,” one student told Varsity.

Other students, however, do not share the same sentiment. “This issue should have been raised earlier, especially by the affected people,” one said. “But it’s better late than never”.

Homerton College did not reply to a request for comment.