A one day conference to mark the launch of the Association of Muslim Chaplains in Education was hosted at Brunel University in West London. The conference, held on June 25, was attended by over 80 participants of different faith communities and from different parts of the UK. Bill Rammell, MP for Lifelong Learning and Education addressed the conference via video link and welcomed the launch of the Association. I am clear that a trained Muslim chaplain can be an effective safeguard for those students who may otherwise be vulnerable to violent extremist political influences. He said, Properly trained Muslim chaplains can play a significant part in meeting pastoral care needs and that a trained Muslim chaplain can be an effective safeguard for those students who may otherwise be vulnerable to violent extremist political influences. Professor Chris Jenks, Vice Chancellor of Brunel University talked about the importance of the presence of Muslim chaplains on campus and the path Brunel has taken towards a Multi Faith approach. Muslim Chaplains on campus was widely acknowledged as recognition of the fact that Islam was not the faith of the stranger or temporary resident but one of the mainstream faith traditions in our society. The work of Muslim Chaplains in education in promoting community cohesion was also acknowledged.
