Canada’s first full-time paid Muslim chaplain being sought at the University of Toronto

A young woman looks directly into the camera and says in a soft accent: “I was told to go back to my country.”


A young man with a light beard follows: “In my profession, relationships are built at the bar. What am I supposed to do about that?” he asks.


And then, the more complicated issues: “My parents forced me to take off my hijab,” says another student, referring to the head scarf.


The anecdotes, told from the point of view of Muslim students at the University of Toronto, are gripping, complex and, as many youth can attest to, all too real. They are also part of a promotional video intended to show the urgent need behind the Muslim Chaplaincy Program at U of T, the first program of its kind in Canada that would see the community fund a full-time chaplain at a university to support the spiritual needs of Muslim students.


“Many Muslim youth don’t have a place to turn to, and they feel challenged on issues of faith and identity,” says Ruqayyah Ahdab, chair of the board for the chaplaincy program, who was instrumental in creating the student-led initiative.


“Adults can turn to the mosque for support, but youth often can’t because of cultural issues or the age gap,” said Ahdab. “So the chaplain will be there to provide this safe space for youth to turn to.”