Assalamu alaikum and hello!
So here we are, ready to face a new chapter together. The holy month of Ramadan has come to an end, and Muslims worldwide are readjusting their routines after a long month of fasting and worship. Ramadan improves our faith, character and bond with each other. For this reason, we begin our next chapter feeling recharged and ready to go! On a personal note, this period also marks a significant beginning for me, having recently been recognised as a chaplain at the University of Birmingham.
My name is Adil Saleem , \and I serve as an Imam and Head of Outreach at Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre (GLMCC) in Birmingham. GLMCC was recently voted as Mosque of the Year and I greatly look forward to applying my insight as Imam of the mosque to the large Muslim student base at the University. I feel honoured to be a Muslim chaplain and I look forward to meeting you all on campus – whenever that may be!
We are currently traversing through unfamiliar territory as we collectively try to fight off COVID-19. Life as we know it has transformed into something none of us could have anticipated. As students, your studies, graduations and plans for years abroad may have come to an uncertain halt.
As people who believe in Allah (God) we accept that everything comes from Him as He has full knowledge and control of the universe. Every cloud has a silver lining even if we don’t see it immediately. Allah tells us in the Quran,
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”
Allah truly knows what is good for us and what is not. In the last couple of months we have witnessed outstanding acts of charity, solidarity and unity across all communities. In our personal lives, how many of us will have discovered a new found appreciation for our loved ones? This is a great opportunity to introspect and reflect upon our lives – what have we done, where are we going and have we prepared adequately for the inevitable reality that every human will face, i.e. death.
As students, I encourage you to make the most of the time you have in isolation. Use this time to feed your soul and replenish your heart. Try to reconnect yourself spiritually with your creator and really make this time a catalyst for excellence. If you’ve been feeling disheartened, remember that you have a Lord who will never forsake you – be optimistic!
Finally, I am here as your Muslim chaplain to offer you religious and pastoral support to students and staff. If you are looking for some spiritual guidance during this time, please do not hesitate to contact me on A.Saleem.3@bham.ac.uk. I look forward to meeting you very soon.
Take care and stay safe,
Adil Saleem - Muslim Chaplain (University of Birmingham)