Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion with many differing sects which believes that:

  • There is one all-knowing divinity (Allah) and Muhammad is his messenger.
  • Perfect peace comes from total submission to Allah.
  • By following the "Five Pillars of Faith" one can achieve perfect peace.
  • The Qur'an and Hadith are sacred texts which outline the characteristics of Allah and offer guidance about how individuals should live.
  • One day, Allah, with absolute justice and mercy, will judge all of human kind.

The Five Pillars of Islam

  1. To testify your belief in One God (called Allah in Arabic) and the Prophet Muhammed as His Last and Final Messenger (peace and blessings of God be upon him).
  2. To pray five daily prayers at their appointed times
  3. To fast from dawn to dusk during the lunar month of Ramadan.
  4. To pay alms on excess wealth.
  5. To make Pilgrimage to the Mosque in Mecca once in a lifetime, if one is able.

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Islamic Chaplain:

Shelby Haque

1. Religious Affiliation
Muslim
2. Educational History

B.MSc. 2003

M.D. 2004

M.B.A. 2010

3. Joined the U of A
2009
4. Current Focus at the U of A
I am primarily interested in helping students and staff at the University of Alberta meet their spiritual needs. I am also interested in developing a fusion of best management practices from Islamic tradition and modern management theory.
5. Other Passions and Interests
I enjoy anything in the outdoors. In the summer, I can be found mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and camping with my wife and six kids. In the winter, we like all manners of skiing and snowboarding. I work as a full-time emergency physician at a local hospital in Edmonton and also enjoy global travelling whenever possible.
6. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
Every evil action on earth is the result of a diseased heart. It is only a sick heart that can steal, lie, cheat and senselessly harm others. However, there are enlightened humans who have removed these diseases from their hearts and are luminaries in our times. These spiritual cardiologists can help us cure our sick hearts. I am not a cardiologist (medically nor metaphysically) but I know where to find them.

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Islamic Chaplain:

Ibrahim Long

1. Religious Affiliation
Sunni Muslim
2. Educational History

BA (Cum Laude) Humanities and Religious Studies

Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy

MA Islamic Studies & Christian-Muslim Relations

Residency (2yrs) in Clinical Spiritual Care and Counselling (i.e., CPE)

3. Joined the U of A
2019
4. Current Focus at the U of A
I provide support for students and staff desiring spiritually-sensitive counsel, consultation, and education.
5. Other Passions and Interests
You probably won’t be surprised to know that I love to learn about all things religious and spiritual. In fact, I am fascinated by the various ways human beings presently and historically have engaged with spirituality and the sacred. However, I am also bit of a nerd. I enjoy reading academic, historical, and fictional books as well as watching Marvel and Star Wars movies. For fun, I also enjoy playing Katan and other games with family and friends.
6. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
As a chaplain, I aim to provide a safe space for you to share your thoughts, concerns, and questions in a spiritually-sensitive, meaningful, and welcoming manner. I deeply believe in the need for support services and spaces that integrate culture, spirituality, and strategies for wellbeing. Whether you want to talk about life’s challenges, religion, spirituality, or just connect, I am here to help.