HWS News
6 February 2024 Ali Joins HWS as Muslim Student Life Adviser
The HWS community welcomes Shaheed Ali, the inaugural Muslim Student Life Adviser, to campus.
The Office of Spiritual Engagement and Office of Campus Life are excited to introduce Shaheed Ali as the campus’ first Muslim Student Life Adviser. Trained at Islamic institutions throughout the nation, Ali has served as an assistant Imam in western New York and has experience assisting or delivering khutbah at Masajid in multiple communities in the Buffalo and Rochester areas.
At HWS, Ali will work with students and lead a variety of services and programs. He delivered the khutbah at the Jumu’ah Prayer on Friday, Jan. 26 in the Muslim Life Center and greeted students at the Muslim Student Association table during the Involvement Expo.
“I'm very thrilled to be in this position," says Ali. "I definitely loved the student expo as an eye-opening experience to see what HWS has to offer.”
Ali says he hopes to help students understand the importance of balancing freedoms and responsibilities as they navigate college. He looks forward to learning what it means to be a Muslim student on campus.
"Geneva is pleasing to the eye and hopefully students find it pleasing to their spirits and souls as well," says Ali.
"The Office of Spiritual Engagement is happy Mr. Ali is here to expand our services and support for our Muslim community," says Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement The Rev. Nita Byrd. "He will add a new layer of depth to our engagement of spiritual practices.”
“I am excited Shaheed Ali is joining our community as the Muslim Student Life Adviser,” says Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Becca Barile. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to actively listening to the needs of our students who have advocated for this role over time. Mr. Ali’s presence will undoubtedly enhance the support options available to Muslim students and have a positive impact on our community as a whole.”
A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Ali served on campus as a Muslim Student Association president. He formed the first, year-round Muslim-based basketball organization, the Western New York Muslim Benevolent League, and serves as its executive director.
