Chaplaincy in secular institutions such as hospitals, prisons and asylum centres is proving to be a dynamic form of expression for religion and spirituality. This was the conclusions of the international conference «Muslim Chaplaincy. Practice, Research and Recognition» held at the University of Freiburg. Chaplaincy provides a means of understanding and analysing the change and significance of religion in the public sphere.

International trends in the development of chaplaincy, such as the move from religious monopolies to greater diversification and cooperation, also became apparent. In many places, different religious communities are now involved in chaplaincy. In many countries, women are taking on a leading role, including women from the Muslim faith. While they are excluded from the imamate, as religious scholars they exercise a high degree of visibility and experience gender equality in public chaplaincy. The work of chaplains often reflects the tensions of real-life experiences that sometimes collide with religious dogma.

Practical examples from the Swiss army and hospital chaplaincy
The conference «Muslim Chaplaincy. Practice, Research and Recognition», organised from 24 to 26 June by the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society (SZIG/CSIS) at the University of Fribourg and in partnership with the Islam-UK Centre at Cardiff University, brought together more than 100 academics and chaplains working in healthcare facilities, prisons and universities from 15 countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and many European nations. More than 40 lectures and workshops were offered.

The aim of the conference was to develop an international network for research on Muslim chaplaincy and identify future research priorities. For three days, the University of Freiburg was the global centre of a new field of research, for which the work of the SZIG/CSIS provides an important foundation. The conference also included practical examples from Switzerland in army chaplaincy, hospital chaplaincy in Zurich evaluated by the SZIG/CSIS, and the establishment of an association for quality assurance, which were brought into the international discussion.

Far more than security and preventing extremism
The conference also provided an opportunity to present new methods for scientifically evaluating and reflecting on practical experience. In this way, the perspectives of ordinary believers can be used to further develop understanding of doubt, patience or gratitude in the context of a highly technological society. Possibilities for using artificial intelligence in chaplaincy were also discussed. Finally, the question was addressed of how chaplains can support people in ethically challenging situations, such as organ transplantation.

Chaplaincy is a service provided in many public institutions. In various countries, however, there is also a risk that institutions will frame chaplaincy for Muslims in relation to security and the prevention of extremism. Negotiation processes are therefore necessary to reconcile the expectations of institutions with professional standards in areas such as person-centred care and religious authenticity. In this way, chaplaincy also brings different religious directions, spiritualities and schools of thought together to form a common focus.

About the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society
The Swiss Centre for Islam and Society (SZIG/CSIS) is an interfaculty institute at the University of Fribourg. It conducts research, offers a master’s programme in Islam and Society and continuing education courses in “Muslim Chaplaincy in Public Institutions”, and collaborates with authorities, health care institutions and religious communities. The SZIG/CSIS celebrated its tenth anniversary in May. The research collaboration with the Islam-UK Centre has existed since 2023.