Ibrahim J. Long Community Issues, Events, Islamic Psychology

Outspoken: Stories on Mental Health

"Stories are...vessels for ancestors, memory, futures and laughter. They are the medium through which the divine is engaged...To state it more succinctly, stories are ceremony." — Mark Gonzales The Green Room invites you to join OUTSPOKEN, a monthly storytelling series that explores the intersections of faith, identity, social issues, and well-being. On Tuesday May 31, join … Continue reading Outspoken: Stories on Mental Health

Ibrahim J. Long Community Issues

A Prophetic Model for Islamic Chaplaincy

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 … Continue reading A Prophetic Model for Islamic Chaplaincy

Guest Contributor The Chaplain's Life

Guidelines for the Khateeb (Muslim Preacher)

My aim in this article is to provide some guidelines for giving a khutbah (Islamic sermon). Being a khateeb (also spelled khatib) is perhaps the most honorable position that a Muslim can hold, it’s a fulfillment of part of the mission of the Prophet ﷺ. As Ibn Hilal said “the scholars and imams are the messengers of … Continue reading Guidelines for the Khateeb (Muslim Preacher)

Guest Contributor Featured, The Chaplain's Life

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

Ibrahim J. Long Featured, The Chaplain's Life

“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