I wonder, this is something to do with the pro activeness about the airline ground staff.

The respected religious person may have passing couple of checking counter's and waiting areas. I hope the airline duty offices should have had noticed & should have had some thought about this religious person.

Accordingly prearrangement should have done in advance. That's why airlines employ duty managers or officers.
In my opinion, This is something to do with professional service from airline, rather something else.