The UK’s first halal-only student accommodation is set to launch in Dundee this autumn, with operators saying the residence is intended to meet the needs of Muslim students attending the city’s universities.
Rose House will offer 20 rooms for male students only, with alcohol prohibited throughout the property and a rule that only halal food may be brought onto the premises.
The development is being marketed as accommodation “designed” for Muslim students, though legal requirements mean applications cannot be restricted solely to Muslims and non-Muslim students are also able to apply.
The 18th-century property was purchased last year by ILM Student Halls, which plans to welcome its first residents when the new academic term begins in the autumn.
Online promotional material highlights a range of facilities inside the building, including a prayer room, gym, massage chairs and a games room.
According to staff, demand has already been strong, with most of the rooms reserved and just nine still available.
But the opening has also triggered criticism, with opponents arguing that the concept risks encouraging “segregation” in student housing.
Iain Gall, a Conservative councillor in the neighbouring Angus local authority, posted on X: “This is so wrong, blatant segregation here in Scotland.”
Britain’s first halal-only student accommodation is due to open in Dundee to ‘cater for Muslim students’ at the city’s universities (pictured: Rose House)
Rose House has 20 rooms exclusively for male students, with alcohol banned and only halal food permitted on site (pictured: the prayer room)
The accommodation (pictured), the first of its kind, is ‘designed’ for Muslim students
‘Whoever sanctioned this should be removed from post. Imagine this was “white only”, media would quite rightly go mad.’
Meanwhile, Mark Simpson, a Reform MSP for North East Scotland, added: ‘I am completely opposed to this and will fight to get it cancelled.’
Priced from £165 per week, ILM pledges ‘premium facilities with no shared-flat surprises, no hidden charges, and a supportive community’.
The website says halal-only accommodation is ‘something we as Muslims require in our life to make sure that we connect to our religion and please Allah’.
Guidelines state that residents must respect prayer times, spiritual spaces and maintain an ‘alcohol-free environment’, with pork ‘strictly prohibited’.
Tenants must get permission to have ‘overnight guests’ and participate in ‘community meetings’ when asked.
The halls are designed for students at both Dundee and Abertay universities, although these are not connected with the privately-operated venture.
Kashif Rashid, the owner of the building, has claimed that the majority of its occupants for the coming year are non-Muslim, including several Christians.
Mark Simpson (pictured), a Reform MSP for North East Scotland, said: ‘I will fight to get it cancelled.’
The website states: ‘ILM Student Halls is one of Dundee’s most sought-after student accommodation options – featuring 20 private en-suite student rooms, three fully equipped halal-only communal kitchens, social living areas, and an on-site gym. Our student accommodation in Dundee is designed to be a genuine home for university students, with bills included and high-speed wi-fi throughout.’
It adds: ‘Three spacious, fully equipped halal student kitchens featuring modern appliances and dedicated prep spaces for your daily cooking. Because all kitchens are strictly halal-only (no pork or alcohol), ILM is the perfect private student accommodation in Dundee for Muslim students.’
The site’s terms of tenancy state: ‘All residents are expected to: Treat all residents, staff, and visitors with respect and dignity, maintain cleanliness in personal and communal areas, follow quiet hours between 10pm and 8am, obtain permission before having overnight guests, report maintenance issues promptly, participate in community meetings when requested.’
Catholic and Jewish student accommodation also exists elsewhere in the UK.
ILM has been contacted for comment.
