Correction Feb. 8, 2012
The audio of this story, as did a previous Web version, gives an estimate of 1,700 for the number of Muslim students on the University of Michigan campus. A more accurate estimate is 850.
Enlarge Courtesy of Mohammed Tayssir SafiMohammed Tayssir Safi began as the Muslim chaplain at the University of Michigan this semester. His position is the first endowed Muslim chaplaincy at a public university.
Listen
Although the population of Muslim students is growing, there are only about 30 Muslim chaplains at colleges across the country. This semester, the University of Michigan became the first public university with an endowed position for a Muslim chaplain.
“Muslims need to rely on somebody through times of hardship,” says Mohammed Tayssir Safi, who was recently hired for the chaplaincy. The university has an estimated 850 Muslim students on campus.
The transition to college can be hard for Muslim students, who often come from tight-knit immigrant communities centered around mosques. Keeping their faith can be challenging because college life can glorify alcohol and premarital sex, which are forbidden by Islam.
At a gathering of Muslim students at a Middle Eastern restaurant, Safi says, “There’s not a solid environment where a Muslim feels — perhaps ‘safe’ is the right word, not from violence but safe as in they feel safe and at home in being able to express themselves and who they are.”
Funding A Religious Position
Although he’ll work with students, Safi’s salary won’t be paid by the university.
“The university is very supportive of the idea, but they can’t lend even a penny toward the cause because of separation of church and state,” says Chris Abdur-Rahman Blauvelt, chairman of the Michigan Muslim Alumni Foundation.
Blauvelt reached out to fellow alumni and parents for donations through a crowd-funding campaign and raised $30,000 in a matter of months.
With enough money for a part-time salary, Safi was hired. He’s now one of about 90 religious counselors on campus. They represent a long list of Christian groups, a number of Jewish ones and a Hindu mission.
Reid Hamilton, president of the university’s Association of Religious Counselors, says it’s about time Muslims were represented in a professional capacity.
“I think it’s vital that they be part of the whole religious conversation here on campus,” he says.
Student-Led Services
Beenish Ahmed/NPRMuslim students at the University of Michigan listen to a sermon delivered by sophomore Mohamad Omar Hadied during Friday prayer.