The above lecture is from “A Prophetic Model for Islamic Chaplaincy,” an event hosted by the Muslim Chaplaincy of the University of Toronto on January 1, 2014. Dr. Mattson’s lecture provides an insightful look at how Muslims have historically addressed the needs of the community as they have arisen. She is introduced by the University of Toronto’s Muslim Chaplain, Amjad Tarsin.
Some beneficial points derived from the lecture:
“The real genius of Islamic civilization has been the ability of Muslims to make a realistic assessment of their surroundings and then develop programs and structures and institutions that can meet the need of those surroundings.” For example, the minaret, the dome, and the ijāza were all responses to needs assessed within the community.
“One of the challenges of our time is to have a realistic assessment of the situation in which we live… [which] is rapidly changing.” “[And, if ] there is one aspect of society today, of the world today, it’s that we live in a time of great dislocation. People are constantly being dislocated either by economic necessity, for family reasons, or being forced because of war or because of not having enough of the basics.”
Think, as well, of college students traveling away from their family, of patients in a hospital, those in prison, jail, or in the military…
Chaplains care for individuals who have been displaced, who or are in transition; for whatever reason that may be. Chaplains help to nurture a sense of community and belonging amidst transition and dislocation.
For more about Ingrid Mattson, PhD, visit her website.
Ibrahim J. Long 