HAMDEN, Connecticut – For Imam Sami Abdul Aziz, assuming the position of Muslim chaplain at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, was the best achievement in his life, offering him to give back to his community.

“I have a passion for chaplain work,” Aziz said in an email to The Quinnipiac Chronicle on Wednesday, October 12.

“I have always been involved in giving back my whole life and this is an extension of that desire to give back, support the community and grow in my faith journey.”

When the position opening was posted and shared by the Association of Muslim chaplains, Aziz applied and ultimately was accepted. He has been Chaplain since 2013.

Assuming the position, he is responsible for guiding, helping and assisting the Muslim community on campus to grow in spirituality and fellowship.

“I guide them to be better citizens through their faith tradition,” Aziz said. “Islam encourages charity of every kind.”

He also attends the Muslim Students Association (MSA) meetings, organizes and attends events, leads prayers and counsels students.

“Imam Sami is very dedicated to working closely with the Muslim students on campus,” Ayah Galal, president of the Muslim Students Association, said in an email.

“He is friendly, personable and willing to help students however he can. He also assists us by coming up with new ideas for MSA events and ways we can engage the Quinnipiac community.”

Vice President of MSA Ali Munshi said previous Muslim chaplains have not been as involved with the group as Aziz has been.

“Sami is just incredible. He comes to every meeting,” Munshi said. “He’s like a counselor, which is awesome. You can talk to him about anything.”

Along with MSA, Aziz works with the Jewish, Catholic and Protestant chaplains to create and grow interfaith understanding through conversation and different events.

Aziz said the chaplains are planning to join together to host events this year, where he will have talks on Islam 101, ISIS and Islamophobia.

“We ask him a lot about what we think about the different topics that we want to present to the student body because, as you know, Muslims in America is a very hot topic right now, especially with the election that’s going on,” Munshi said.

“It’s great to have a secondary source to go to and say, ‘Hey, is this okay?’ It’s fun to talk to him.”