For many employees, work isn’t just about clocking in and out—it’s a place where they spend a huge chunk of their day.
A good workplace isn’t just one that pays the bills; it’s one that makes employees feel valued, respected, and understood.
For Muslim workers, that includes having a proper space to perform their five daily prayers.
But not every company prioritises this. Some employees are left squeezing into storage rooms or hallways just to fulfil their religious obligations.
That’s why when entrepreneur and fashion designer Christina Ng, better known as Christy, transformed an unused room in her company into a surau (prayer room) for her Muslim employees, it struck a chord with many.
‘I couldn’t bear to see them squeezed in like that’
As her company grew, Christy noticed something: the existing surau just wasn’t cutting it anymore. It was too small, forcing employees to take turns and making prayer time stressful rather than peaceful.
“It took me longer to complete this surau because I wanted to make it the best it could be. The space was previously an unused room in poor condition,” she shared.
She couldn’t stand watching her employees struggle with limited space.
“I couldn’t bear to see them squeezed in like that. Keeping the prayer rows close is necessary, but they shouldn’t be overcrowded, right?” she added.
And just like that, she took action.
A prayer space with style and comfort
Christy wasn’t just going to slap on some prayer mats and call it a day. She wanted to make it feel special—a place where her employees could truly focus and find peace.
So, she and her team gave it a ‘modern jungle’ makeover, using forest-themed wallpaper and plastered windows to create a calm, inviting atmosphere. She also made sure the floor was covered with soft carpets, ensuring maximum comfort during prayers.
But Christy wasn’t done yet. She didn’t just want to provide a room—she wanted to remove any hurdles her employees might face when praying.
So, she stocked the surau with prayer essentials from Siti Khadijah, a well-known brand for high-quality prayer wear. Employees now had access to telekung (prayer robes), sejadah (prayer mats), jubah (robes), kain pelekat (sarongs), kopiah (caps), and more.
“With the prayer clothes and essentials ready, and the surau complete, I don’t think it’s too much to ask them (Muslim employees) to pray for the company’s continued blessings and protection. May we all always be under His care,” she shared.
Of course, she also had a lighthearted reminder for her staff:
“As an employer, I’ve fulfilled my responsibility. Now it’s up to everyone to fulfil theirs. Just don’t turn the surau into a place to slack off,” she joked.
‘They no longer need to queue and take turns to pray ‘
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Christy shared that since introducing the new surau, she has noticed a positive shift in the workplace.
“I think the team feels more comfortable at work now. They no longer need to queue and take turns to pray since the new space is much bigger. Things are much more efficient, and they don’t have to rush during their prayers,” she said.
For her, providing a proper surau isn’t just about convenience—it’s about respecting employees’ needs and making them feel at home in the workplace.
While Christy took on this initiative with her employees in mind, the experience also taught her an important lesson.
“It’s a good motivation for employees. And honestly, having a proper surau is the bare minimum any employer should provide,” she reflected.
When asked what advice she’d give to other companies looking to support their Muslim employees, Christy had a simple but crucial tip:
“Ensure the size and facilities of the surau are in proportion to the number of employees who need to use it.”
When Christy shared the transformation on TikTok, the response was overwhelming. People praised her for prioritising the well-being of her employees and creating a work environment that truly respects their needs.
‘This is amazing! Not all bosses think about providing a surau. Some employees have no choice but to pray in storage rooms. Wishing Christy Ng all the success!‘
‘I used to work for a Chinese boss. When I asked for permission to pray, he let me use his storage room. The next day, I came to work and saw that it had been cleaned, smelled nice, and even had slippers. He even asked me, ‘How long do you usually take to pray?’ because he wanted to cover for me.’
‘Christy has fulfilled her duty as an employer. Now it’s up to everyone to fulfil theirs. May this surau be a space that helps employees regain their energy and motivation at work.’
‘If I had a boss like this, I’d pray for their well-being every single day.’
Watch the clip here:
