Sidra Naeem Muslim Chaplain

Transcription

1 Sidra Naeem Muslim Chaplain News from May to November 2017 May began with formation of a new Islamic Society (ISOC) who invited me to all their committee meetings Talk at the first Islamic Society Meeting 5th May 2016 Left: Tony Cant (Christian Chaplain) 5th May 2016 I started seeing numerous Muslim students who had complex social, emotional and wellbeing needs. Their problems ranged from racism (especially during weeks where atrocities in the name of Islam occurred), identity issues, bullying, cultural distortion of the faith, financial problems and loneliness felt from absence of family (especially during Graduation Week), warm weather and social networks left behind in their home countries. I have continued to support them throughout very difficult and potentially dangerous times in their personal lives. Even though some of their courses have now been completed at the university, they continue to seek my support. Many people I have supported have included non-muslims as well as students and staff from the ARU Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough Campus; one of them being the previous Muslim Chaplain. One of the many challenges I faced was to support a lecturer at home who had suffered a stroke, consequently exhibiting Dementia related traits. He forgot how to drive, write and pray. I retaught him the rituals of washing and prayer as well as revisiting memorisation of specific chapters of the Quran needed for prayer. I shared strategies and literature with the whole family on how to support him. I also organised someone from the local community to collect him weekly for Friday prayers due to his inability to drive. Dr Alhajie Saidy Khan Senior lecturer HRM Lord Ashcroft International Business School sidra.naeem@anglia.ac.uk Phone: Contents: Page 1. Formation of the Islamic Society Page 1. Support to Muslim Students & staff Page 2. 4 Fast Breaking events Page 2: Feeding the Homeless Page 2: Eid ul Fitr Party Page 3: Islamic Society Picnic Page 3: Eid ul Adha Party Page 3: Courses, training and advice Page 4: Welcome Week visit to Mosque Page 4: Chaplaincy Stall Page 4. Graduation Week Page 5: Outside events ARU were invited to Page 5: Lectures, Interfaith & cultural support to student union & community engagement events

2 4 fast breaking events took place on 29th May, 6th June, 14th June and 22nd June 2017 These were organised by myself in collaboration with the Islamic Society. I invited all staff and students across the university to promote diversity and mingling of differing cultures. They were brilliant events and the food was spectacular. I subsequently invited everyone again to a Feeding the Homeless event at the local Eid ul Fitr Party Wednesday 28th June Showing a white British student participating

3 January 2013 ISSUE 10 Eid ul Adha party, Sunday 3rd September I participated and supported students in an outside university ISOC event detailed below Our second Eid Party organised by myself in collaboration with the new Islamic Society, was a great success. It also gave a few students who are currently Together End of Year Party! studying inwomen the Education department an opportunity to practise their children management skills! The lecturer who suffered from a stroke also attended. In relation to my post, as well as completing the university s mandatory courses, I also attended the Appraisee Training ( ), Safe and Supported: Working with Prevent to Enhance Our Support for Vulnerable Students ( ), IT skills course ( ), Away day ( ) and ASTRA Training (4.7.17) I voluntarily attended other courses in relation to my job description e.g. Faith, Mental Health and Social Inclusion and Let s Talk About Dementia ( ) Conferences, where I made useful There was ( ) a dazzling array of activilinks with other ties chaplains for people in of all agesinstitutes. including a Chinese Ribbon Dance, drum worki have attended manyperformers, meetings building closer links with outside agencies such as with the Equality shop, Nepalese Akula and Diversity Officer Zumba, from Essex Tribal dancing, VoiceCounty Work- Council, Essex Police, Essex Community Tree and Chelmsford Cathedral. shop led by actors from the Mercury Theatre, PoAs a fairly appointed Chaplainexperiin the Chelmsford community, I was privileged to be invited to the etrynew reading and a Bollywood licensing of a new reverend on 31st August and did a reading on behalf of the university at St. Lukes ential extravaganza. Church. I was privileged to be asked to participate in the shortlisting and interview process for appointing a new Muslim Chaplain for the Cambridge Campus. I have given ideas and reviewed case study slides from our Inclusive Safe and Cohesive Campuses online course after a meeting with Jane Hay (HR Manager for Learning and Development). I consequently sent her literature and guidance. I also contributed to meetings and discussions on making ARU a Dementia Friendly environment. sidra.naeem@anglia.ac.uk Phone:

4 Welcome Week Events As part of Students Welcome Week and during International Orienteering, I participated in doing various Chaplaincy talks including separately for the Nursing department. A Chelmsford Mosque Open Day was arranged to which staff and students from ARU attended. I made a hot Asian lunch for this too! Trip to Chelmsford Mosque Chaplaincy Stall during Fresher s Week 20th September 2017 Graduation Week 9th October 2017

5 Outside, Local Events To Which ARU Students & Staff Were Invited to

6 January 2013 Faith ISSUE Fun! 10 As part of Interfaith week, I planned and hosted an Interfaith Quiz Night Since I have been teaching Religious Education for the past 17 years, I made the quiz and delivered the questions. I also brought in an exhibition of the 7 major world religions, displaying artefacts and children's work from schools. Attendees to the Quiz Night included the Mid-Essex Interfaith Forum (MEIFF) for which I am a faith representative for. This event helped to increase knowledge and understanding of other faiths in a fun and interactive way. The competition concluded with the winner receiving a trophy and runners up, certificates designed by me Supporting Student Women Together End of Year Party! Union in Interfaith Week Are Muslim Women Oppressed? I was privileged to be asked by the Women s Network to cover the subject of Are Muslim Women Oppressed? Fact or Fiction? across the Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses. I produced a PowerPoint presentation. After delivery, I answered many questions which everyone really valued. Both sessions Therefull wascapacity. a dazzlingconsequently, array of activireached ties for people all ages including the student unionofalso invited me toa Chinese Ribbon Dance, drum workrepeat the session for students shop, Nepalese performers, Akula during Black History Month. An Tribal dancing, Zumba, Voice Workadditional 4th session was organised shopstaff led by for any members who could not actors the Theatre, Poattend thefrom other 3 Mercury sessions! etry reading and a Bollywood experiential extravaganza. I contributed towards discussions and ideas for the refurbishment of the Chaplaincy and prayer rooms. These included cupboard space for prayer mats and suitable washing facilities in each room. I chose the colour schemes and made a lot of the signage on the doors and within the individual rooms. I organised and hosted a trip to Chelmsford Mosque; provided an Interfaith clothing dressing up stall and artefact display from 7 different faiths. I also ran the Chaplaincy stall and will be delivering a lecture on Is Islam Tolerant and How Does it View Other Faiths? I provided artefacts and clothes from 30 countries which were used as a display and dressing up stall to educate the university on differing culture and diversity.