Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) urgently needs your support to maintain our critical services and programs in support of the approximately 5,000 students at Rutgers University. 

We have worked with and counseled an unprecedented increase in cases of mental illness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and many more issues in these last few weeks as the general community finds itself in a more pressurized environment.  More than ever we need your support this year to address the huge and lasting impact of the Covid-19 crisis on campus.

Rutgers is the first public university in America to have a fulltime dedicated Muslim Chaplain, and by the grace of God we are one of the only public universities to have a dedicated center for our students located in the heart of campus.  Please consider helping us during this crucial time. 

You can make a difference in the lives of thousands of students. Perhaps even save a life.

Covid-19 Impact

Since the closure of campus due to social distancing guidelines in combating Covid-19, CILRU has been on the front lines providing guidance to students how to navigate their new circumstances. As campus was shut down, many students found themselves with improper accommodations. Our staff has been working with them providing them ways to utilize food banks, housing aids, providing them with education about medical and other services, and providing them mechanism to cope with the array of unexpected challenges they are facing.

The Covid-19 uptick only adds to the load of over 1,000 students and community members a year that receive pastoral care at CILRU.  We are continuing to offer one on one meetings over Zoom. In absence of our ability to open our physical space, we are also offering digital spaces for the community to maintain and develop their spirituality through 4 weekly gatherings where students get to not only listen, but also get to be listened to.

The Problem

The university environment can be a very difficult transition for students, including Muslims.  Many suffer from anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, and some even have suicidal thoughts. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that one in five college students experience a mental health condition, with 75% of all mental health conditions surfacing by the age of 24.   The American Psychological Association found that "Anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (36.4 percent) and relationship problems (35.8 percent).  The university experience without the proper support and help can be an extremely difficult one for students.

In terms of faith, in what may be the largest study ever conducted on changes in Americans’ religious involvement, San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that millennials are the least religious generation of the last six decades, and possibly in the nation’s history.  According to the Family and Youth Institute (FYI) that found that over 75% of Muslim college students have engaged in some mix of sexual activity, drug intake, alcohol consumption, and gambling.

The Solution

CILRU, formed in 2010 and registered as a charitable 501(c)3 organization, offers dedicated spiritual guidance, support, counseling, in addition to educational services, to help the students navigate the university experience.

Currently, CILRU is the only full-time dedicated chaplaincy at any public university in America.  CILRU does not receive any financial support from Rutgers due to its status as a public university.  CILRU has leased a 2 story brick building in the epicenter of campus that includes, two common rooms, the chaplain’s office, a conference room, quiet study rooms, a kitchen. It is a place for students to meet and learn and pray.

Oftentimes, Muslim students have no one to ask for help when they need it, and that is where our chaplain is on the ground offering them the support and the help they need. Just in one year, our chaplain offers more than 1,000 confidential one on one sessions with students and community members.

The Chaplain's Work

The work of our chaplain is not just limited to counseling sessions, our chaplain helps to build a healthy community that's built with love and compassion. On a weekly basis, our chaplain offers classes and discussion circles that act as a safe space for students to come together, share their experiences, and connect with one another, including:

• ​Weekly classes in Seerah, Dhikr, Chaplain Chats, and Islamic Literacy
• Summer Quran programs
• Spiritual journeys to Makkah for Umrah
• Taboo topics series where our Chaplain leads open discussions around addiction, healthy and unhealthy relationships, abuse, racism, and other topics vital to help them navigate their roles as confident Muslim Americans on campus
• Friendship Across Faith Discourse

• Islamophobia Series

The Chaplaincy also aids in providing resources and guidance for Muslim Student Organizations at Rutgers like the Muslim Student Association (MSA), Ahlul Bayt Student Associaton (ABSA), Rutgers Jumu’ah Prayer & Prayer Space, Muslim Feminists for the Arts (MFA), and Muslim Public Relations Council (MPRC).

Rutgers Muslim Students Impact

The Rutgers Muslim community has planted the seed for Muslim institutions throughout this area, this State and nationally and internationally.  The Rutgers motto – Jersey Roots – Global Reach applies.  It was the Rutgers Muslim community that sparked the establishment of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in the 1970s.  It was the Rutgers community that established Masjid al Huda in the late 1980s– now known as the New Brunswick Islamic Center. From the outgrowth of these communities – the Muslim community spread – including Muslim Community of Middlesex County, Muslim Center of Greater Princeton and Masjid Ali. 

Meet Our Chaplain

Chaplain Kaiser Aslam has been serving as the Rutgers chaplain since in August 2016. He previously served as the Muslim Chaplain at Wesleyan University, the Muslim Chaplain at Hartford Hospital, the youth director at the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center, and was formerly the national coordinator of Young Muslims. Kaiser has studied various classical Islamic sciences including Arabic, tafseer, hadith, fiqh in his studies within the United States, as well abroad at Markaz Fajr in Cairo, Egypt and Al Amana Center in Oman. Kaiser holds a Masters degree in Islamic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations from Hartford Seminary. His thesis was “Islamic Literacy for Undergraduate American Muslims” which he uses to try and bring Islamic literacy in the communities he serves.

Our Mission

• To provide an inclusive space and sense of community that enables students to foster a meaningful Muslim identity.

• To enrich and support students through quality educational, spiritual and counseling services rooted in relevant Islamic learning; and
• To advocate for the Muslims at Rutgers and facilitate community building and dialogue with people and representatives of all faiths and backgrounds.

How will your donations be used? 

The donations will be used to: 

• Allow for our continued services, including the critical needs around Covid-19.
• Assist in the operational expenses of our facility.
• Allow for our chaplain and staff to continue to provide the necessary and free counseling sessions that they do.
• Facilitate the expansion of current community programming on campus
• Allow students to continue to ask their questions and learn more about how to grow and maintain their spiritual identities

What do people say about us?

Here are some testimonials about CILRU.

Dr. Dalia Fahmy

Professor of Political Science (LIU) | RU Grad | CILRU Board Member

"CILRU has been at the forefront through critical pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and critical programming during this time period, its needed today more than ever!"

Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda

Founder and Director of Qalam Institute 

​

"The opportunity to pursue a higher education at a college or university is exciting but also challenging. One of the greatest opportunities and challenges is that of faith. Muslim students are no exception in this regard. Muslim Chaplaincies serve the great purpose and function of building, cultivating, and persevering the Iman of our young brothers and sisters. I personally have had the pleasure of seeing the remarkable work being done by the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) and Chaplain Kaiser Aslam. I pray that Allah accepts their work and grants them the ability to continue serving the student community at Rutgers."

Maham Ali

Rutgers Alumna | Class of 2019

"In the scarce time students have between classes, exams, and their own personal commitments, it’s often difficult to allocate time for Iman. Personally speaking, I was motivated to learn about my faith, however, the search for knowledge and spiritual fulfillment was often directionless. CILRU provided a guided outlet and formal setting to ponder and develop my Islam all while being supervised by Chaplain Kaiser. From study circles, to events on contemporary topics, to even premarital counseling (I know, I know, super helpful) I can honestly say I have reaped the benefits of having a physical space on campus to better myself as a Muslim and establish positive habits. CILRU is a safe haven for the Muslim family at Rutgers; it is the initial step in finding good company and solace in religion on campus. Just as CILRU offers its unwavering support to the students of Rutgers in these ever changing times, it is imperative that our Muslim community show just how grateful we are to have been blessed with such a wonderful organization and Imam."

Stephen Curto

Rutgers Graduate Student

Muslims from all schools of thought, and from diverse backgrounds, have in CILRU a place to come together and share our faith. Rutgers set a historic precedent by establishing a full-time Islamic Chaplaincy, the first of its kind in the United States. The entirety of the Rutgers community is truly fortunate to be able to have CILRU on campus, and CILRU is truly blessed to have such a knowledgeable and compassionate person like Chaplain Kaiser Aslam. CILRU provides an empathic, non-sectarian space for all Muslims at Rutgers to negotiate the many dynamic of life at University, while cultivating their faith and spirituality. I have always deeply valued this inclusive and empathic vision for our community here at Rutgers. I cannot emphasize enough its importance at Rutgers, and I strongly urge you to contribute towards CILRU, and towards its mission to be a place of spirituality and growth.

Final Message

Help make the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University sustainable, donate now and share the campaign with your friends.