The Edmonton area has recently witnessed a growing number of acts of intimidation and hate towards people who are black. These have often been motivated by both racism and religious bigotry together. Sadly, we know such racism exists even within faith communities themselves. As two larger faith traditions, both Muslims and Christians have spiritual wisdom … Continue reading Faith Spaces, Safe Spaces: An Interfaith Anti-Racist Initiative
Serving in Diversity
My latest article has been published by the Association of Muslim Chaplains (AMC). I was honored to receive the invitation to contribute and decided to speak about one of my favorite parts of being a Muslim Chaplain: Serving in Diversity. Click here to read the article on the Association of Muslim Chaplains' site.
Leadership Leading to Disunity
A heart that has not truly grasped the golden rule—loving for others, what you would love for yourself—will ultimately break it. Too often the reason why it is difficult to be involved in the community is that too many of us lack this rule in our heart. This is especially the case when feelings get … Continue reading Leadership Leading to Disunity
Encountering Tabataba’i
Encouraged by Dr. Ingrid Mattson, and my own interests in wanting to better understand the broader Islamic tradition, I decided to read and review a book on tafsir (Qur'anic commentary) composed by one of the Shi'a tradition's most erudite scholars: ‘Allamah Sayyid M. H. Tabataba’i. Here is my, a Sunni Muslim's, summary and reflection... The … Continue reading Encountering Tabataba’i
Caring for Ahmad and Other Muslim Youth
To continue the conversation about youth at risk, and how imams and Muslim chaplains can respond, I asked my dear friend Sh. Jamaal Diwan to offer a reflection on the points raised in my article "What Happened to Ahmad: Responding to Muslim Youth at Risk." The following is his insightful response: Since I was asked … Continue reading Caring for Ahmad and Other Muslim Youth
“What happened to Ahmad?”: Responding to Muslim Youth at Risk
“Ibrahim,” he asked, “can you speak with me?” Ahmad*, 19, was a young Muslim man struggling with peer pressure at his community college to drink and engage in sexual activity. I was not the imam, nor was I a chaplain at this time, but I could see in his eyes that he was desperately seeking … Continue reading “What happened to Ahmad?”: Responding to Muslim Youth at Risk
Seminary Trains Muslim & Jewish Chaplains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPQIwt8w_CY Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy The Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy is designed to provide Muslim religious leaders and chaplains with basic skills in pastoral care, arts of ministry, theology and ethics, dialogue and interfaith relations needed to serve as chaplains in a variety of settings. The areas of knowledge and skill acquisition provided … Continue reading Seminary Trains Muslim & Jewish Chaplains
Embracing the Truth: Answers After Converting to Islam
Imagine this. You are standing in front of a crowd of people, whom the majority you do not even know. You have been contemplating for weeks, months, some even years about this important decision that you are about to make. A ton of emotion and thought runs through your body. Something had been missing your whole … Continue reading Embracing the Truth: Answers After Converting to Islam
Prayer and the Prison Khutba
Speaking to incarcerated individuals can be very challenging. Their interests and culture are particular to a prison life which the chaplain does not live. However, as chaplains we have to try our best to speak not just for the sake of fulfilling the obligation of Jumu'ah prayer, but also make it mean something to those … Continue reading Prayer and the Prison Khutba
Ibrahim J. Long 