The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Shenila S. Khoja-Moolji
Research Associate, The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
An Emerging Model of Muslim Leadership: Chaplaincy on University Campuses
Abstract
During the last couple of decades, a new model of Muslim leadership has emerged in the United States: the institution of Muslim chaplaincy. This study seeks to provide an overview of this institution on university campuses. In the post 9/11 context, Muslim chaplains play a crucial role on campuses by humanizing the American Muslim experience and building bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims. The institution of Muslim chaplaincy also provides a critical avenue for Muslim women’s public religious leadership. Interviews with 25 Muslim chaplains and their colleagues provide information about Muslim chaplains’ roles and responsibilities, the opportunities and challenges they encounter, and future trends.
Introduction
The institution of Muslim chaplaincy has emerged as a new model of Muslim leadership in the United States over the last couple of decades. Even though the term ‘chaplain’ has Christian connotations, this model of leadership has been adapted by other religious traditions in multi-religious America. While Muslim leaders in the past were focused on meeting the needs of their own communities, the recent decades have seen the emergence of civil society and faith-based organizations – such as the Islamic Society of North America, American Society for Muslim Advancement, His Highness the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for the USA, Islamic Relief, etc. – that seek to engage the various Muslim communities of interpretation as well as other faith communities. Muslim chaplains are situated within this framework, and we find them working in a variety of institutional contexts across the United States: in hospitals, prisons, universities, and the armed forces. These chaplains seek to facilitate spiritual growth by providing pastoral care and religious education. They are well positioned to promote intra- and interfaith dialogue, building bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. The institution of chaplaincy also offers Muslim women new opportunities for public religious leadership.
This study will focus on the institution of Muslim chaplaincy as it has emerged on university campuses in the United States. The purpose of the study is to document the historic moment of the emergence of Muslim chaplaincy, to understand the nature of the chaplains’ work, and the opportunities and challenges they face moving forward. Importantly, it will focus on Muslim women’s contribution to public leadership through this institution. In addition to secondary research, I conducted 25 formal and informal interviews with current and former Muslim chaplains, students, and university administrative staff at universities across the United States. The interviews were conducted either over the phone or in-person, and focused on understanding the roles the chaplains performed in various settings, the challenges and opportunities they encountered, and the reception they received from students, fellow university staff, and when relevant, the wider Muslim community.