Iman Jafri was hired as St. Olaf’s first Muslim chaplain in January, and will serve as the interim associate chaplain for Muslim life during the spring semester. The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community led the hiring process. Jafri will also serve as the associate chaplain for Muslim and interfaith life at Carleton.
Jafri is also currently serving as an advisor to the Muslim Student Association (MSA). She will help students conduct programming to foster the Muslim community on campus, and will act as a point person for students with questions specific to the Muslim faith. Recently, the MSA executive board has shifted after spring elections, and Jafri will help smooth that transition, as both the former president and vice president have stepped down.
While every chaplain at St. Olaf is committed to serving the entire community, Jafri’s background qualifies her to more readily speak to the Muslim faith.
Rafa Al Helal, the former MSA President, said that the Muslim students have a need for a chaplain with a background in their faith, and that Jafri is meeting that need.
“She’s like a point person to go to when we have, like, a faith crisis or just questions about our faith,” Al Helal said.
Jafri, like the other chaplains, is a resource for all students on campus, not only those in the Muslim community. She is available to meet with students in the College Ministry Office on Thursdays afternoons.
Curious as to who Iman is? Go to the Manitou Messenger’s YouTube channel to watch a video about her St. Olaf experience so far and her aspirations moving forward!
