Happy Christmas to all! Best wishes from me and Keller, my canine friend

Delighted to say words of thanks on behalf of @durham.ac.uk to our staff and students for this fantastic effort in donating Xmas gifts to 3 local charities working with vulnerable people in local neighbourhoods and communities. Well done @dulib.bsky.social ! @revdgavinwort.bsky.social

The Listening Service is available to DU students and staff throughout the vacation period. If you’d like to meet online or in-person with a listener, email [email protected] to arrange an appointment @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The chaplains wish Jewish students, staff and friends Chag Hanukkah Sameach! Overshadowed as the festival is by news of the tragedy in Australia, be assured of our condolences and prayers. May light triumph over darkness @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

This evening, Dr Robert Bluck (Buddhist Chaplain) gave the @durhamuniversity.bsky.social Chaplaincy Christmas Lecture on ‘Buddhism & Christianity: Rivals or Allies?’ It led to numerous thoughtful questions from those present. Picture: Dr Bluck & I - allies not rivals! @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Fascinating visit to Faith Museum at Auckland Castle today w/ County Durham Faiths Network. Good for our group to provide feedback & offers of objects to better represent the diversity of faiths in Britain. Pictured: Prehistoric marked rock, C4th menorah & Stone Cross head @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

I was delighted to receive today from Jess Foster (President) a badge marking honorary life membership of the Hild Bede Student Representative Council (SRC). Go Hild Bede! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Religion is global and ubiquitous. So it’s something universities should highlight - not avoid.’ I welcome this research on religions and worldviews on campus. Thank you Kirstine Aune, @mathewjguest.bsky.social & Matthew Mayhew. @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

A delightful visit to the Sikh Gurdwara in Darlington this afternoon with my sons. Thanks to Kulvanth and her team for the wonderful hospitality @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Yesterday, our Student Interfaith Leaders at Durham University invited students with direct connections to the Middle East - Jews, Muslims, Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs and others - to come together for an Empathy Dinner (1/2) @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Honoured to meet @number10cat.bsky.social!

Yesterday, @durham.ac.uk’s Interfaith Week 2025 came to a close w/ Interfaith Friday Night Dinner hosted by Jewish Society & Just Love. Shabbat candles were lit, wine & bread blessed, & hearty Kosher meal shared. We were also challenged by biblical Dingbats #InterfaithWeek @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Join us for our Chaplaincy Christmas Lecture on Tues. 2 December. The lecture by Dr Robert Bluck (Buddhist Chaplain) is entitled ‘Buddhism & Christianity: Rivals or Allies?’ To register, please email [email protected] @durhamuniversity.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Excellent student-led panel discussion for #InterfaithWeek on ‘Faith on Campus: A conversation about religion & student life’ w/ Hindu, Jewish, Christian & Muslim contributors and a superb chair. It’s the apogee of my work as a chaplain. What a blessing! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Privilege to attend reception at 10 Downing Street w/ Prime Minister for #InterfaithWeek. PM spoke about the importance of interfaith engagement in building cohesive communities. Wonderful to meet people and tell them about our interfaith work @durhamuniversity.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Fun evening at Durham Interfaith Student Network’s Games Night with the Hindu Society & our Student Interfaith Leaders. Participated in speedfaithing & competed in an interfaith quiz w/ prizes! #InterfaithWeek @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Today, on this #RemembranceDay, chaplains have been leading Acts of Remembrance across @durhamuniversity.bsky.social. I was honoured to do so at the Staff Chamber Choir’s excellent Remembrance performance (pictured) @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

An inspiring, challenging & moving evening of interfaith sharing w/ the County Durham Faiths Network’s #InterfaithWeek event as Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim & Sikh speakers spoke on ‘what it’s like to be a person of my faith/worldview in Britain today’ @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

All @durham.ac.uk students are welcome to join the Durham Interfaith Student Network for its #InterFaithWeek events this week. NB Spaces are limited at the Friday Night Dinner so please register asap. There’s also a charge of £3: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Interfaith Week 2025 is almost here! If you’re passing the Palatine Centre, pop in to see the stall outside the Lead Chaplain’s office with info about the Durham Interfaith Student Network’s events next week. Feel free to take a flyer! #InterfaithWeek @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The chaplains were delighted to contribute to a panel discussion on world peace in Business School’s Finance Department’s Picture: reps of Finance Dept’s EDI team, Arthur (UNICEF) & chaplains Mahshid, Ibrahim & Gavin. Jed (Quaker) left before the photo! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Greetings on Parkash Diwas Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sikh students, staff and friends celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Interfaith Week 2025 @durham.ac.uk! All DU students are welcome to join us for our #InterfaithWeek events Register via @durham_interfaith on Instagram or simply pop along. NB You’ll need to register for the Friday Night Dinner ASAP for which there’s a £3 charge @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

We’re looking for new trustees for this fantastic charity which I serve as Vice-Chair. If you’re interested, I’d be delighted to have a chat St Margaret’s Centre is an activity and training hub for adults in County Durham who need support with their mental wellbeing @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

This afternoon, Dr Robert Bluck, our Buddhist Chaplain, launched his new book, ’The Unofficial Buddhist’, to an audience of about 30 in the Oriental Museum. Thanks go to colleagues at the museum for hosting what was an interesting & enjoyable event @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

A wonderful celebratory event on Friday afternoon marked the completion of a new student facility. Picture: Co-Presidents of JSoc with the Vice-Chancellor, donors, local community rep. and Gavin @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Excellent panel discussion this evening on religion & identity in Judaism & Islam with Prof. Mathew Guest, Prof. Ilan Baron & Dr Guillermo Martin Saiz organised by our talented Student Interfaith Leaders, Fersa & Tahlia. Thanks to all who came @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Interfaith Week is coming! Join the County Durham Faiths Network for an evening of interfaith sharing on the question, ‘what’s it like to be a person of my faith/worldview today?’ Contributors from a range of differing traditions: Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh

Honoured to join panel on absence/presence of Black History in Durham. Picture (l to r): Tom Trevelyan (descendant of slave trading family), Nicola Frith (Edinburgh Uni), Nicole Phillip (Head of Grenada’s Reparation Commission), Kulwinder Maude & Christopher Jones (DU) @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Shubh Diwali to Hindu students, staff and friends celebrating Diwali! May you be filled with light, joy and peace at this special time #Diwali @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Honoured to be invited to join the panel discussion for this important event in #BlackHistoryMonth If you’d like to join us, click on the link to register - lnkd.in/e6cNjRdZ @shaidmahmood.bsky.social @durhamuniversity.bsky.social

Congratulations to the Revd Dr Kate Eaton-Wells who was licensed yesterday as the new Chaplain of St Chad’s College! We’re delighted to welcome Kate to the Chaplaincy Network Picture: Kate with Philip Plyming (Dean of Durham) & me @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

It was great catching up with the faith societies at today’s Freshers’ Fair, including the wonderful Islamic Society! Looking forward to working with the fantastic, talented students serving in the various Execs @durham-university.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The chaplains are having great fun meeting new students at today’s Freshers’ Fair @durhamuniversity.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

G’mar Chatima Tovah to Jewish students, staff and friends observing Yom Kippur. Otherwise known as the Day of Atonement, this annual commemoration begins at sunset today @durham-university.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The chaplains are looking forward to welcoming new international students today @durham-university.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Looking for a Place of Worship in Durham city centre? If so, take a look at our Google Map with College Chapels, Multifaith Spaces, Islamic Prayer Rooms and local Churches 👉 google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1HVxGLpZDgahQWpQgD0ofgUnVsaQxbegl&ll=54.76887152090854%252C-1.5747617499999977&z=15

Join us for the launch of Dr Robert Bluck’s latest publication, ‘The Unofficial Buddhist’ on Mon 27 October 3pm-4pm in the Oriental Museum. Copies of the book will be available to purchase - cash only. All welcome - no need to register @durham-university.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Shana Tovah! Wishing Jewish students, colleagues and friends a happy Rosh Hashanah! @durham-university.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Honour to be awarded honorary life membership of Student Rep. Council of Hild Bede College at final Formal of last academic year. Had a fantastic time supporting College during year between chaplains. The award is particularly special as it was made by student body @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: the Revd Peter Kashouris is the Chaplain of St Mary’s College @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: the Revd Marie Edwards is the Chaplain of the College of St Hild & St Bede @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: the Revd Dr Sam Hole is the College Chaplain and Solway Fellow at University College (Castle) @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: Tom Hudson is our Friends International Chaplain @durham-university.bsky.social

It was an honour to deliver an address at the Service of Reflection for those touched by suicide on Sun. 7 September in Durham Cathedral. It was a moving and poignant service in the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September

Introducing the chaplains: the Revd Dr Liz Kent is the Chaplain of St John’s College @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: Pandit Bal Krishan Gautam is our Hindu Chaplain @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: the Revd Fiona Hill is the Chaplain of the Hill Colleges serving Collingwood, Grey, Trevelyan and Van Mildert Colleges @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: Fr Andrew Downie is our Catholic Chaplain @durham-university.bsky.social

Introducing the chaplains: Rabbi Aaron Lipsey is our Jewish Chaplain @durham-university.bsky.social