Roberta Aguirre
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has multiple interfaith chapels called Reflection Rooms where passengers from all religions can find a quiet space to pray, meditate, or reflect. These rooms are located in Terminal 1, near Gate 40, and Terminal 3, near Gate 69. The Reflection Rooms are equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign indicating the direction of Mecca to facilitate Muslim prayer rituals. SFO also has a Yoga Room and an Aviation Museum and Library for passengers looking for relaxation or entertainment during their time at the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Berman Reflection Room |
| Location | Adjacent to the BART entrance in the International Terminal (Dianne Feinstein International Terminal) |
| Facilities | Ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign |
| Rules | No food or drink, no cell phones or other electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting |
| Transport | Accessible via the AirTrain rail system (Red Line and Blue Line) and shuttle from the Long-term Parking Lot |
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What You'll Learn
- San Francisco International Airport has a Reflection Room for prayer
- The Reflection Room is located near the BART entrance in the International Terminal
- The room has four rules: no food or drink, no electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting
- The room has large picture windows, simple benches, unadorned walls, and plants
- The room is meant to be a refuge for travellers and airport workers to meditate, pray, or find solace
San Francisco International Airport has a Reflection Room for prayer
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a Reflection Room for prayer, meditation, and quiet self-reflection. The room is located in the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal on Level 3, adjacent to the BART entrance. It has large picture windows that offer views of the Peninsula hills. The room features simple benches, unadorned walls, and plants. It is meant to be a refuge for travellers and airport workers to find solace amidst the chaos of the airport.
The Reflection Room is an interfaith chapel where passengers from all religions can pray or meditate. It is equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign indicating the direction of Mecca to facilitate Muslim prayer rituals. SFO recognises the importance of prayer for Muslim passengers and ensures that these facilities are regularly cleaned and maintained.
The room has four rules: no food or drink, no cell phones or other electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting. However, according to a 2009 article, these rules were not being observed, and the room was being used by airport employees as a place to take naps during their breaks. The original proponents of the room expressed disappointment that it had become a place for sleeping rather than a spiritual sanctuary.
SFO offers various other amenities and services for passengers, including yoga rooms, an observation deck, an on-site hotel, and art and museum spaces. The airport is located between San Francisco and San Jose, California, and is a major hub for domestic and international flights.
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The Reflection Room is located near the BART entrance in the International Terminal
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a Reflection Room, a quiet place for prayer, meditation, and reflection. The room is located near the BART entrance in the International Terminal, adjacent to the Peninsula hills. The Reflection Room is a dedicated space for people of all religions to find solace and peace amidst the chaos of the airport. It is a refuge for both travellers and airport workers alike.
The room is simple, with unadorned walls, large picture windows, benches, and plants. It is a place to escape the noise of the terminal and the endless announcements of the public address system. The Reflection Room is open to all denominations, including Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Jews. It is equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign indicating the direction of Mecca to facilitate Muslim prayer rituals.
The Reflection Room is a taxpayer-funded project, which has resulted in some controversy. City attorneys feared that any suggestion of religion could be seen as a violation of church-state boundaries, so all religious symbols were removed from the room. Despite this, the room still serves as a place of prayer and meditation for those who seek it.
The room has four rules: no food or drink, no cell phones or other electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting. However, these rules are often not observed, and the room has become a popular place for airport employees to take a nap during their breaks. Nevertheless, the Reflection Room remains a sanctuary for those seeking a quiet space for prayer or reflection at SFO Airport.
SFO Airport is easily accessible via the AirTrain rail system, which runs 24 hours a day and is free to use. The BART train station is located near the International Terminal, making it convenient for travellers to access the Reflection Room before or after their flights. The airport also offers other amenities, such as yoga rooms, an observation deck, and an on-site hotel.
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The room has four rules: no food or drink, no electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a dedicated Reflection Room, also known as the Berman Reflection Room, for travellers and airport employees who want to pray, meditate, or find solace. The room is located on Level 3 of the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal, adjacent to the BART entrance. It has large picture windows that offer a view of the Peninsula hills, simple benches, unadorned walls, and numerous plants.
The Reflection Room at SFO has four rules, which are prominently posted inside and outside the room:
- No food or drink: Visitors are not allowed to bring any food or beverages into the Reflection Room.
- No electronics: All electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, and other electronic gadgets, are prohibited in the room.
- No sleeping: Sleeping or napping in the Reflection Room is not allowed.
- No soliciting: This rule prohibits any form of soliciting or commercial activity within the room.
These rules aim to maintain the room as a quiet and peaceful space for reflection and prayer. However, according to a 2009 report, these rules were hardly observed, and the room was often used by airport employees as a temporary bedroom or break room.
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The room has large picture windows, simple benches, unadorned walls, and plants
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a reflection room, also referred to as a prayer room, where travellers and airport workers can meditate, pray or find solace. The room has large picture windows, simple benches, unadorned walls, and plants. It is a quiet space, free from the noise of the terminal and the airport public address system. The room is located adjacent to the BART entrance in the International Terminal. It opened in 2001 and has four rules: no food or drink; no cell phones or other electronics; no sleeping; and no soliciting.
The room was paid for with taxpayer money, which triggered a series of decisions about its design. City attorneys became concerned that any suggestion of religion could be seen as a violation of church-state boundaries, so any plans for religious symbols were scrapped. The room's proponents say that this has resulted in the room being used as a break room or bedroom, rather than for its intended purpose.
Despite this, the room is still used for prayer and meditation by some. It is equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign, indicating the direction of Mecca, to facilitate Muslim prayer rituals.
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The room is meant to be a refuge for travellers and airport workers to meditate, pray, or find solace
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a reflection room, also known as the Berman Reflection Room, which is meant to be a refuge for travellers and airport workers to meditate, pray, or find solace. The room is located adjacent to the BART entrance in the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal and has large picture windows that offer views of the Peninsula hills. The room features simple benches, unadorned walls, and numerous plants, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. While the room was intended for reflection and prayer, it has also become a popular spot for airport workers to take a quick nap during their breaks.
SFO's reflection room is open to people of all faiths and denominations, including Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Jews. It is equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign indicating the direction of Mecca to accommodate Muslim prayer rituals. The airport also has a yoga room in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 for those who wish to engage in physical and mental exercises.
The reflection room at SFO is unique in that it was funded by taxpayer money, which influenced certain decisions regarding its design and purpose. There was a conscious effort to avoid any specific religious symbols or references to avoid potential violations of church-state boundaries. This led to some criticism that the room lacked the spiritual atmosphere that many had envisioned. However, the intention behind the room remains clear—to provide a quiet space for travellers and airport staff to escape the chaos of the airport and find a moment of peace, regardless of their religious beliefs.
While the reflection room at SFO is a dedicated space for prayer and meditation, other airports have similar areas with different names, such as "quiet rooms" or "rooms of silence". These rooms serve a similar purpose, providing travellers with a peaceful refuge amidst the hustle and bustle of airport life, regardless of their religious beliefs or practices. Ultimately, the room is meant to be an inclusive space where individuals can find comfort and calm, whether through prayer, meditation, or simply enjoying the tranquil environment.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport has a designated interfaith chapel called the Berman Reflection Room, located on Level 3 of the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal.
The room is a quiet space for self-reflection and meditation, with large picture windows overlooking the Peninsula hills. It has simple benches, unadorned walls, and plants.
The room has four rules: no food or drink, no electronics, no sleeping, and no soliciting.
The Reflection Room is equipped with ablution facilities, prayer rugs, and a Qibla sign indicating the direction of Mecca.
The room is located adjacent to the BART entrance in the International Terminal. You can take the AirTrain Red Line, which is free and runs 24 hours a day, to circulate between the terminals and the International Garages.
