RAF CHAPLAINCY
SERVING THIS GENERATION: CHAPLAINCY IN DIVERSITY
Imam Ali Omar
After my commissioning into the regular RAF Chaplaincy I was posted to RAF Coningsby. Here at RAF Coningsby a joint RAF Typhoon Squadron, 12 Squadron, has been training the Qatari Emiri Air Force( QEAF) in preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Doha Qatar. As the first commissioned Imam to the RAF Chaplaincy one of my roles is to provide duty of care and support to the pilots, engineers and admin elements of QEAF working and training at the joint squadron alongside station chaplain duties. Previously I had worked in this capacity as a reservist chaplain and the Civilian Chaplain to the Military; where I would visit to provide pastoral and moral support to the Qataris as well as advice to the chain of command. As a joint squadron all roles were mirrored between the Brits and the Qataris. As an example, the Squadron Officer Commanding is RAF, and his deputy is QEAF. The Senior Engineering Officer and his deputy are from the QEAF.
To my surprise as I was signing the finer points of my engagement and‘ arriving’ at my‘ new’ station I was shocked to see the QEAF personnel packing and leaving; the World Cup preparations had started and operations of the 12 joint Squadron had to relocate to Doha Qatar. I could not go as I was busy doing my arrivals and had to be left behind overwhelmed by missing the fun. The days that followed were not easy for me as whenever I went to visit 12 Sqn someone from the rear party would comment;‘ really sorry Imam all the Qataris are gone there is nobody here for you to see!’
My reply would be:‘ I am actually a station chaplain and one of the Padres at Coningsby‘. Very quickly personnel at RAF Coningsby stopped seeing me as the‘ Qatari Imam’ and I became known as‘ Imam’ or‘ Padre’. Quite often I will be asked:‘ we know you are not a Christian Padre so how do we address you?’ My reply would be:‘ Call me Imam or Padre’ of which the reply would be:‘ I will call you Imam’. While doing my visits at the Station Headquarters and other places I will be asked;‘ what flavor of a Padre are you Imam?’ To me this signified a change of mindset, diversity and recognition that chaplains do come in different’ flavours’.
Sitting on my desk at the RAF Coningsby Chaplaincy HQ my colleague, Padre Chrissie, knocks on the door:‘ Imam do you have a chance to speak to someone …’ that becomes the beginning of a conversation which culminates in booking an appointment for a Service Person. This particular time it was an individual who wanted to discuss the challenges he is facing in organising a same-sex marriage. Upon finishing the session I was left reflecting and pondering my chaplaincy journey and how in my role as an Imam or even in my previous role as Civilian Chaplain to the Military such opportunities would never become available to me, unless it is concerning a Muslim SP, but now I feel I am delving into core chaplaincy business. I cannot underestimate the support from my colleagues and advice and counsel from the Chaplaincy Headquarters. My journey into regular chaplaincy has been fulfilling and exploratory.
A multi faith Chaplaincy team in action.
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