A New Look - Sabaa Hafeez

A New Look - Sabaa Hafeez

When I first began my role at the start of this academic year, the community at Multifaith Chaplaincy was what welcomed me and surprised me the most. Now, approaching summer break, witnessing and taking part in its renovation has given me time to truly reflect on this building's personal significance.

For many students and staff at the university, this space has long provided a quiet sanctuary away from the busyness of campus life - and my own experience has been no different. A typical week in Chaplaincy sees me engaging with our student societies, catching the smell of baking from Rev Mindy's Bread and Belief sessions, and taking part in the weekly Jummu'ah congregations facilitated by Islamic Society. In this sense, the Multifaith Chaplaincy has become more than just a building, but instead a comforting space that offers a break from my studies. 

The new room names (like the Worship Room, which is now the Oak Room) and the introduction of new spaces like the Baobab Room (which can be used as an informal meeting space with Chaplains) reflect our ever-growing community here at Multifaith Chaplaincy. Along with the new coats of green paint and plenty of greenery and plants scattered across this building, the subtle shift of the atmosphere truly does encapsulate the place of quiet refuge this place has been for nearly 90 years, for both staff and students. 

With its new look, I hope Multifaith Chaplaincy continues to be a place of reflection, mediation, and peace - for our regular community and for any new visitors of all faiths and none. I look forward to continuing to be a familiar, friendly face and to witnessing our community grow with our reopening.

Written by Sabaa Hafeez - Multifaith Chaplaincy Student Assistant

The views expressed in this reflection are those of the student and do not necessarily represent the position of the University of Birmingham's Multifaith Chaplaincy.