A Muslim chaplaincy service has begun today at the University of Otago, the university has announced.
The chaplaincy had been "planned for some time" but "coincidentally arrives at a critical time for Muslim staff and students with the recent tragic events in Christchurch", Otago University said in a statement.
Retired University of Otago political lecturer Najib Lafraie - a former Afghanistan foreign minister who fled the Taliban - will take on the role alongside Salmah Kassim, a former diplomatic officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington.
The part-time voluntary role, which includes offering pastoral care and spiritual support, will be similar to Christian chaplains but will provide further support for Muslim students and staff.
The service is also available to Otago Polytechnic students.
Mr Lafraie and Ms Kassim will also assist with chaplaincy-organised educational events promoting greater understanding about Islam and other religions.
The Chaplaincy Consultative Committee, the group which oversees chaplaincy at the university and polytechnic, supported an application from the newly formed Otago Muslim Chaplaincy Committee to establish the two roles late last year.
University chaplain Reverend Greg Hughson said, "It's taken some time to work between the various parties involved, but we are delighted to expand the chaplaincy service from two to three partners – expanding it from interdenominational and Catholic Christian to include Muslim chaplaincy".
Mr Lafraie said he was excited to be appointed as one of the university's first chaplains.
"At Otago, we have hundreds of Muslims who both work and study away from their families, their communities and their support systems," he said.
"The chaplaincy has been established for this exact reason; it is to provide a support system for any Muslim in need. It is to be there for any Muslim facing any problem, big or small."
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