On 27–28th April 2026, Al-Mahdi Institute hosted the conference “Who Cares? Care and Support Practitioners in Muslim Contexts”, under its Muslims, Societies and Cultures (MSC) research area. The conference brought together leading scholars and practitioners to explore the ethical, theological, and institutional dimensions of care across diverse Muslim contexts.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dr Muhammed Reza Tajri, followed by an introduction from Cardiff university’s Professor Sophie Gilliat-Ray, who framed the conference within contemporary debates on religion, care, and social responsibility.
Day One: Foundations, Ethics, and Institutional Models of Care
Session One: Theology, Spirituality, and Ethical Models of Care
Dr Nazila Isgandarova explored the intersection of Islamic theology and psychotherapy, arguing that effective Muslim spiritual care must integrate both religious epistemologies and contemporary social scientific approaches. Her paper highlighted how spiritual care can function as a bridge between faith-based meaning-making and clinical practice.
Professor G. Hussein Rassool examined the integration of Islamic spirituality into psychotherapy, addressing both its clinical potential and the ethical dilemmas it raises. He emphasised the challenges practitioners face in balancing professional standards with faith commitments, particularly in pluralistic settings.
Dr Sulaimon Owoseni presented a critical reflection on caregiving through the lens of khidmah (service), exploring how Islamic ethical frameworks can both inspire and burden practitioners. His paper foregrounded the risk of emotional exhaustion, proposing a model that balances duty with self-care.
Session Two: Clinical and Psychoeducational Frameworks
Dr Faten Skafi (joining online due to visa refusal linked to ongoing geopolitical circumstances) presented a qualitative study of Muslim psychologists in Lebanon. Her research examined how therapists navigate tensions between faith commitments and professional ethics, revealing the nuanced ways religious values shape clinical decision-making.
Zeynep İrem Çeven proposed a psychoeducational framework inspired by Ibn al-ʿArabī, exploring how spiritual concepts such as meaning, emotion, and selfhood can inform contemporary Muslim mental health practice. Her work demonstrated the continued relevance of classical Islamic thought in modern therapeutic contexts.
Session Three: Institutional Chaplaincy and Emerging Fields
Dr Mahshid Turner introduced a model for Muslim chaplaincy grounded in interpretive attentiveness reading the signs”- arguing for a spiritually responsive approach to institutional care.
Dr Mahmoud Abdallah examined Islamic spiritual care as an emerging field in Germany, highlighting tensions between traditional forms of care and the demands of modern secular society. His work underscored the institutional challenges of embedding Islamic care practices in European contexts.
Day Two: Gender, Burden, Crisis, and Reform
Session Four: The Burden of Care and Moral Strain
Dr Riyaz Timol addressed the pastoral burden placed on British imams, asking “who cares for the carers?” His paper revealed the emotional and institutional pressures faced by religious leaders and called for greater structural support.
Dr Naveed Baig explored empathy as an ethical discipline within chaplaincy, particularly in pluralistic contexts. He argued that caregiving requires cultivated moral sensibilities that enable coexistence across difference.
Session Five: Gender, Sexuality, and Ethical Tensions
Dr Muhammed R. Tajri examined the challenges faced by practitioners counselling on issues related to sexuality within Shīʿa contexts. His paper highlighted the tension between doctrinal frameworks and lived realities, describing the “practitioner’s predicament” in navigating these sensitive issues.
Dr Nuha Dwaikat-Shaer explored family dynamics among queer and trans Muslims, introducing the concept of ambivalent acceptance. Drawing on interviews, she showed how families maintain relationships through ongoing relational labour despite theological or cultural tensions.
Session Six: Community, Masculinity, and Social Care
Dr Mansur Ali and Khadija Sulaiman presented a narrative study of Muslim chaplaincy in public institutions, focusing on the journey of a female Muslim chaplain leading a multifaith team. Their work highlighted emotional labour, institutional barriers, and gendered challenges in chaplaincy leadership.
Dr Sadek Hamid examined the crisis of masculinity among young British Muslim men, analysing how structural pressures – such as Islamophobia and economic precarity – contribute to mental health struggles. He pointed to grassroots, care-centred interventions as promising responses.
Dr Siham Elkassem presented a justice-oriented framework for advancing Muslim youth wellbeing, situating care within broader structures of racial and colonial harm. Her work emphasised collective care as a form of resistance and ethical responsibility.
Dr Asma Shahin Khan examined mental health support among British Muslims, identifying key themes such as the role of Islamic resources, community-based support systems, and structural barriers to accessing care. Her research called for better integration between community initiatives and public health systems.
Conclusion and Reflections
The conference provided a rich and nuanced exploration of care in Muslim contexts, moving beyond abstract theorisation to engage deeply with lived realities and practitioner experiences.
Across presentations, a consistent thread emerged: the need for care models that are at once theologically grounded, ethically sensitive, and socially responsive. Whether in psychotherapy, chaplaincy, or community leadership, speakers highlighted the complexity of navigating faith, professional ethics, and contemporary social challenges.
The conference also underscored the importance of supporting caregivers themselves, recognising the emotional and moral burdens they carry.
Furthermore, the conference underscored the urgent need for developing robust, interdisciplinary frameworks for care within Muslim contexts. By bringing together scholars and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, it created a vital platform for dialogue on the ethical, theological, and practical dimensions of care.
In line with the Al-Mahdi Institute’s broader mission – to bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary academic inquiry – the conference highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches that engage both religious scholars and professionals in fields such as psychology, social work, and chaplaincy.
Ultimately, “Who Cares?” not only interrogated existing models of care but also pointed towards new possibilities for developing more holistic, compassionate, and contextually grounded approaches to supporting Muslim individuals and communities. The discussions initiated during the conference are expected to contribute to ongoing research, future collaborations, and the continued development of care practices that are both ethically rigorous and socially responsive. In bringing together diverse perspectives, “Who Cares?” advanced scholarly understanding, and also laid the groundwork for future collaboration, research, and the development of more holistic care frameworks within Muslim societies.
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