reflections and writings of a Muslim chaplain

Muslim Life Program @ Princeton University website

muslimchaplain — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:59:57 +0000

http://www.princeton.edu/muslimlife/

Welcoming Ramadan

muslimchaplain — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:30:10 +0000

Assalamu’alaykum,

Ramadan kareem to you and your families! Princeton Muslim Life marks the beginning of this blessed month. From all of us at Princeton University we wish you a blessed and fruitful month of fasting, devotion, and spiritual elevation. May Allah ta’ala accept our fasts, charity, and good deeds during this month.

This Ramadan let us remember that less is more…Less consumption of food, less waste, less futile speech, less sleep. And, in return we get so much more…More good deeds, more spiritual rewards, more awakening of our souls, and more of a deeper relationship with Allah, the Messenger (s), and the Wise Qur’an. Spend Ramadan wisely, my dear brothers and sisters, for you never know when this blessed guest will come around in your lifetime for the very last time. Make a plan of how much Qur’an you want to read, reflect upon, and memorize during this month. Make a committment to get rid of at least one bad habit, and to pick up a good new habit that will last you beyond Ramadan. Give much in charity through your wealth and deeds to local and international worthy efforts. Remember those who are struggling with oppression when you make dua’ for yourself and for your family and loved ones every night. This Ramadan, take another step in becoming masters over your ego, desires, and wants, and learn to direct them for the pleasure of Allah (swt). May Allah make it easy for us, Ameen.

Every day in Ramadan we will breakfast (iftar) together in Murray-Dodge Hall beginning with Maghrib. Everyone is welcome. Please make a donation or volunteer to cook to sponsor one of our iftars this month. This month as we fast and break fast together, let us experience as much of a Green Ramadan as possible. Everyone is responsible for thinking of the environment and making a commitment to use less resources during this month of fasting.

muslimchaplain — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:52:34 +0000

Ramadan Program at Princeton University

muslimchaplain — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:35:56 +0000

Muslim Life Program &

Muslim Students Association

Princeton University

““O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become God conscientious.” [Qur’an 2:183]

Ramadan Program

Daily Iftars

Starting SATURDAY August 22, 2009

Murray Dodge West Room

Daily Isha &Taraweeh

Starting FRIDAY August 21, 2009

9:30 pm

Muslim Prayer Room (3^rd floor Murray Dodge)

Night of Devotion

Friday Nights, 9:30 PM

August 21, 28 and September 4, 11, 18

Murray Dodge West Room

If you would like to sponsor an Iftar fully or partially,

please email Diya at dabdelja@Princeton.edu

Any questions? Email ssultan@princeton.edu or helbishl@princeton.edu

Princeton University has first Muslim chaplain

muslimchaplain — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:03:11 +0000

PRINCETON: Princeton University has first Muslim chaplain

Monday, July 13, 2009 6:59 PM EDT

By Reem Nasr, Staff Writer

From a young age Sohaib Sultan has always fostered a deep passion for serving the Muslim community.

Now at 28, he is the first full-time Muslim life coordinator and chaplain serving at Princeton University.

The past academic year was Mr. Sultan’s first as a full-time chaplain. Two years ago, the university launched a pilot program to evaluate the Muslim community’s response to having a Muslim chaplain on campus. It was a part-time position for one year filled by Khalid Latif, the Muslim chaplain at New York University.

”I think that university Muslim chaplains are critical to the development of vibrant, ethical and intellectual Muslims and non-Muslims in this country,” said Mr. Sultan. “Muslim chaplains play a very critical role in shaping Islam in America.”

Mr. Sultan did not always know that he would become a chaplain. Born in North Carolina, he went to Indiana University where he majored in political science and journalism. While working as a journalist he received a contract to write “The Koran for Dummies,” published in 2004. It was then that he discovered his passion for Islamic studies.

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”I found myself in the position of being a resource for young Muslims and I really enjoyed it,” said Mr. Sultan. “I decided that I wanted to work with the youth to fulfill a need in the community.”

Mr. Sultan then began his degree at the Hartford Theological Seminary, where he received his master’s in Islamic studies, Christian-Muslim relations and Islamic chaplaincy. After his first semester, he was invited by Trinity College to serve as its Muslim chaplain. Mr. Sultan graduated from the program in 2009.

There are about 15 official Muslim university chaplains in the country, most of whom are on the East Coast. Georgetown University was the first to hire a full-time Muslim chaplain.

Mr. Sultan is sure the number of Muslim chaplains will grow in the near future. He would like to see the phenomenon grow out of the East Coast to the rest of the nation.

There are about 250 Muslim students at Princeton University, according to Mr. Sultan. From 70 to 80 attend the weekly Friday prayers, which are held on campus at Murray-Dodge Hall. Muslim students can use another room in the same building to pray the regular five daily prayers whenever their schedule allows. His office is also located in Murray-Dodge Hall.

”The Muslim community has dramatically increased in its presence over the past few years,” said Mr. Sultan. “Just about three to four years ago there were only five to 10 people who would come together for the Friday prayer.”

Princeton University is one of many universities to have a Muslim Students Association (MSA) on campus. It is a non-political, faith-based organization that aims at uniting Muslims on college campuses. Princeton established its chapter in 1995.

Mr. Sultan works with the MSA and other groups to facilitate programming. He explained that their programming is centered around four core ideas: spiritual and religious enrichment, service, engagement and dialogue, and community building.

For religious enrichment they offer Nights of Devotion and a Qur’anic Study Circle. For community service the students participate in Project Downtown, delivering food and supplies to the homeless in Trenton. They also host humanitarian fundraisers for regions like Gaza and Darfur.

To engage with the greater society Mr. Sultan began the Islam in Conversation lecture series, in which each month a scholar or artist or thinker visits campus. Community-building events aim to bring the Muslim student community closer together by hosting daily iftars, breaking of the fast, in the month of Ramadan and other events. Mr. Sultan hopes to increase that kind of programming next year.

”I think that the most important quality of a chaplain is to be a person of compassion, empathy, and to be a good listener,” said Mr. Sultan. “As a Muslim chaplain I wear many different hats but the one that I feel most called to and that I enjoy the most is counseling.”

He explained that most Muslim students approach him with questions about relationships and issues of identity.

”They want to know how to be a confident Muslim while preserving their values and being an active part of society,” said Mr. Sultan.

Non-Muslims approach Mr. Sultan as well. Some are generally interested in Islam while others use him as a resource for papers they are writing.

Two of the biggest misconceptions about Muslims involve violence and the subjugation of women, he said. Mr. Sultan referred to the Gallup polls about the Muslim American community by Dalia Mogahed. Ms. Mogahed is the first Muslim scarf-wearing woman to be appointed to President Obama’s administration. Mr. Sultan said that Muslims are the only faith-based community in America whose women are slightly better educated than their men. Another poll showed that Muslim attitudes toward indiscriminate violence are very similar to those of other faith communities.

”I think that these myths and misconceptions are eroding with the rise of the younger generation,” said Mr. Sultan. “They are more open-minded.”

Mr. Sultan is looking forward to a greater number of Muslim female chaplains. Among female chaplains are Al-Hajjah Khalilah Karim-Rushdan at Smith College and Mumina Kowalski at the State Correctional Institution at Muncy, Pa. One of his long-term goals is to have a female Muslim chaplain as an assistant.

Mr. Sultan has enjoyed his stay at Princeton University and hopes to continue working there in the future.

”The Muslim students have responded very well and the Muslim community here has been very hospitable and warm in their greeting of a Muslim chaplain,” said Mr. Sultan. “The students really seek me out and use me as a resource.”

Mr. Sultan is also the author of “The Qur’an and Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad,” published in 2007. He and his wife now reside in Hamilton.

rnasr@centraljersey.com

New Beginnings: The Role of American Muslims in Obama’s Public Policy

muslimchaplain — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:36:53 +0000

*THURSDAY April 23*

4:30 PM, 10 East Pyne

New Beginnings: The Role of American Muslims in Obama’s Public Policy

Conversation with Dr .Ingrid Mattson
President, Islamic Society of North America
Professor of Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary

Sponsored with Program on Religion, Diplomacy and International Relations &
Muslim Life Program in the Office on Religious Life @ Princeton University

Questions? e-mail ssultan@princeton.edu

Princeton University Campus Map: http://www.princeton.edu/~pumap/

The Spiritual Art of Islamic Calligraphy

muslimchaplain — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:35:41 +0000

*Friday April 10*

THE SPIRITUAL ART OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY
Presentation by Aishah Holland
Renowned Master Calligrapher
5.30 pm, Bendheim Center for Finance

Princeton University Campus Map: http://www.princeton.edu/~pumap/

~~Sponsored by the Muslim Life Program

~~Questions? e-mail: ssultan@princeton.edu

April 2009 events at Princeton University

muslimchaplain — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:57:54 +0000

Presented by

Muslim Life Program in the Office on Religious Life
@ Princeton University

Questions? e-mail ssultan@princeton.edu

Thursday April 2
REFLECTIONS ON ISLAMIC FINANCE AND THE GLOBAL RECESSION
–Lecture by Umar F. Moghul, Esq.
Partner, Islamic Finance & Investment, Murtha Cullina LLP
Lecturer in Law, University of Connecticut
5.30 PM, West Room in Murray-Dodge

Friday April 10
THE SPIRITUAL ART OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY
Presentation by Aishah Holland
Renowned Master Calligrapher
5.30 pm, Bendheim Center for Finance

Tuesday April 14
IS THE SHARIAH OPPRESSIVE? ISLAMIC LAW IN THE MODERN WORLD
Lecture by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Scholar of Islamic Law
Educational Director of Seekers Guidance
5.30 pm, Frist Campus Center 307

Thursday April 23
NEW BEGINNINGS: THE ROLE OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS IN OBAMA’S PUBLIC POLICY
Lecture by Dr. Ingrid Mattson
Director, McDonald Center for Islamic Studies & Christian-Muslim Relations
President, Islamic Society of North America
4.30 pm, 10 East Pyne

A Young Muslim’s Guide to a Spiritual Life

muslimchaplain — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:16:11 +0000

A Young Muslim’s Guide to a Spiritual Life

Imam Mohamed Magid

Weekend of March 7—8, 2009

Princeton University Bendheim Library

26 Prospect Avenue, Princeton NJ 08544

Questions? Email ssultan@princeton.edu

SATURDAY March 7th

11 AM: Brunch

MORNING SESSION

12-2 PM: Provisions for the Journey to Allah

Building blocks for a successful spiritual life

2-3 PM Dhur and break

AFTERNOON SESSION

3-5 PM: Gender Relations and Marriage

What are proper gender relations? What to look for in a spouse? Initiating and maintaining a healthy marriage

5-6:30PM Asr, dinner break, and Maghrib

EVENING SESSION

6:30-8:30 PM: Preparing for the Obstacles Ahead

Issues of dealing with temptations, peer pressure, trials

8:30 PM: ‘Isha and conclusion

SUNDAY March 8th

11 AM—12 PM: Brunch

12-2 PM: Living Islam in a Non-Muslim Society

Friendships, dawah, responsibilities, civic engagement, life after college

2 PM Dhur

2:30—4 PM Open Q & A

Ask ethical or theological questions of any type

4 PM ‘Asr and Conclusion

Imam Magid studied at the hand of his father and other notable scholars, gaining ijaza in several disciplines, including Ghazali’s Ihya-Uloom-al-Deen.

kalaam cafe: thursdays 7.30-9.30 pm

muslimchaplain — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:57:54 +0000