Harvard University Survey: Students express need for a Shia cleric on campus

The Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper of Harvard University, conducted a survey regarding the need for a Shia cleric to represent the Islamic sect, given the absence of such representation and the presence of only two Sunni clerics on campus.

According to the survey, “many Shia students expressed a desire for a cleric from their Islamic sect,” while others noted that the lack of one does not significantly impact their university experience.

The report highlighted that “out of 44 chaplains and religious leaders at the university, only two are Muslim, both of whom are from the Sunni sect, providing spiritual and religious services to students.”

The survey also pointed out that “the existing differences between the two Islamic sects have prompted discussions among students about how to ensure full representation and greater space for Shia students, similar to that of their Sunni counterparts.”