This fall, Carleton College welcomed Fatima Basharat as the new Associate Chaplain for Muslim and Interfaith Life, joining the Office of the Chaplain to support Muslim students and expand interfaith engagement on campus. Basharat is serving in the same role at St. Olaf College.
Basharat was first drawn to this role by her early experiences providing spiritual care in New Jersey to families of incarcerated individuals.
“Working closely with prison chaplains, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of spiritual care and pastoral presence during people’s most vulnerable moments,” said Basharat. “That was my first real exposure to chaplaincy, and it resonated deeply with me.”
Before coming to Carleton, Basharat earned advanced degrees in Muslim chaplaincy and gained experience in higher education and community-based spiritual work. Basharat said that she was always drawn to chaplaincy even before her college education,
“If I’m honest,” she said, “I think I’ve always been called to this work, I just didn’t have the language for it yet.”
Her path to chaplaincy was also informed by her own college experience. “I often felt lonely and somewhat lost navigating it all,” said Basharat. “It wasn’t until I found a mentor figure that I began to see what a difference it makes to have someone who really sees you and walks alongside you. I feel called to be that presence for students.”
According to College Chaplain Schuler Vogel, who led the hiring process, Basharat stood out among applicants from across the country and beyond.
“She has degrees in Muslim chaplaincy, experience in higher ed, and a kindness and intelligence that really shine through,” Vogel said. “Those are all qualities that make her an excellent fit for Carleton.”
Vogel said that the hiring followed the departure of Carleton’s previous Muslim chaplain, Ailya Vajid, last spring.
“We’ve had a growing Muslim community here on campus,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we found the right person to continue supporting that growth.”
Basharat’s arrival represents an important milestone in visibility for Carleton’s Muslim community.
“For the last few years, we’ve only had temporary chaplains filling in,” said Muslim Student Association (MSA) Vice President Abdulrahman Mohamed. “Having someone here permanently, someone really dedicated to our community, means a lot.”
For Basharat, the decision to join Carleton was an easy one.
“What truly drew me here was the people,” she said. “From my first conversations with students, staff, and faculty, I was struck by their genuine curiosity, thoughtfulness, and kindness. There’s a palpable culture of intellectual humility here. People listen deeply and engage compassionately.”
In her first year, Basharat hopes to focus on creating inclusive spaces for spiritual exploration for students of all religious attitudes. “My primary goal is to support Muslim students and students of all faith backgrounds, or no faith background at all,” she said. “I want to co-create with students: listen to what they need, what they’re curious about, and what would enrich their spiritual and interfaith lives here.”
Vogel shared that Basharat will also help implement several ongoing initiatives, including a student grant project and efforts to enhance prayer spaces on campus.
“We’re exploring having a call to prayer broadcast from the carillon on Fridays for Juma prayers,” Vogel said. “There’s also discussion of adding a prayer clock in the prayer room to show the next prayer times.”
Mohamed added that Basharat has already begun connecting with MSA members during weekly meetings.
“We recently held a joint Halaqah – a study circle where people come together to ask questions and have open conversations about faith and identity,” said Mohamed. “It’s been a great way for her to get to know us and for us to get to share what Muslim life at Carleton looks like.”
Beyond leading programs, Basharat hopes to introduce new forms of reflection and connection.
“I’m passionate about dialogue work and creating opportunities for meaningful conversations across differences,” she said. “I also believe spiritual work unfolds through creative expression, outdoor experiences, and contemplative practices. I’m excited to explore these with students and see what resonates with the Carleton community.”
In the future, Mohamed said he hopes Basharat’s presence will help the Muslim community at Carleton gain more recognition.
“We want people to know we are here too,” he said. “The community has been growing each year, and having a chaplain who’s committed to that growth really helps.”
Vogel said he hopes Basharat will continue to strengthen Muslim life on campus in her role. “We want her to be someone that students, faculty and staff can approach about Muslim life,” said Vogel. “We hope she’ll be an advocate who ensures that Muslim priorities are seen and supported.”
As Basharat begins her role, she offers a message of encouragement to students navigating their own paths.
“We are all travelers, each on our own journey of becoming,” she said. “College is a unique time of exploration and doubt, and those doubts are sacred. Wherever you are on your journey, you belong here, and you don’t have to walk it alone.”