The Study of the Presence and Effective Factors Participation of Students in Congregational Prayers of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

In the teachings of Islam, prayer is one of the most important obligations and there is no alternative. since the rapid development of the concept of spirituality in the university environment is necessary, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the attendance and factors affecting the participation of students in congregational prayer to explain the current situation and the factors affecting it, to remove the obstacles and to plan to this   divine  duty for  more prosperity .

This research was a  descriptive-analytical study that was performed on 168 students in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Data were collected using a 28-item researcher-made questionnaire, including: demographic characteristics and factors affecting participation in congregational prayers. After completing the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using SPSS software.

According to the findings of the present study, among the motivational components of attending congregational prayers, the component of Imam Jamaat and his behavior in the university have the highest and the class of Islamic education and the emphasis of professors of education have the lowest mean and their relationship was significant (P<0.05). Moreover, among the components that prevent “the prolongation of congregational prayers”, the highest mean score and “the space for congregational prayers do not have the having no necessary attractive space” had the lowest average score and their relationship were significant (P<0.05). In addition, based on the findings of the present study, no statistically significant relationship was observed between demographic variables and attending congregational prayers (P>0.05).

According to the results of the present study, teaching and assigning the education curculum for prayer rules and expressing the virtues, advantages and blessings of congregational prayer in the form of Islamic education course, avoiding prolonged congregational prayers and creating a lively and as well attractive atmosphere in the place of prayer is effective in encouraging to participate and perform this divine duty, and the cultural officials of the university can provide the ground for the maximum presence of students in congregational prayers with better planning.