Kasai Kenta

Sophie Gilliat-Ray's 2014 book, Understanding Muslim Chaplaincy, provided the intriguing discussion topic for the latest virtual meeting of the Sugomori Online Book Club. Sachiko Hosoya, a public health specialist researching the public health system in Iran, and Kenta Kasai, a researcher specializing in the relationship between Islam and healthcare, were invited to deliver presentations on the book, which formed the basis of the in-depth post-presentation discussion. Ms. Hosoya’s report provided an overview of the book, focusing on the history of Muslim chaplaincy and its origin and development in the United Kingdom. She also examined the activities of Muslim chaplains in the UK throughout history. Mr. Kasai’s report discussed the differences between Muslim chaplains and legal scholars, such as Ulama or Imams, in the existing Islamic legal system. In addition, he spoke about the characteristics of Muslim chaplains and the need they fulfill in Islamic society in the UK, comparing them to the Third Space movement in the United States. After the reports, the floor was opened to comments and questions from the virtual audience. First, Kei Takahashi, who studies Muslim communities in the US, explained the origins and social background of the Third Space, pointed out the existing tensions between religious authorities and the Third Space, and asked questions about the future of Muslim chaplains and whether there was a possibility of a similar tense relationship developing between the chaplains and traditional Islamic religious authorities in the UK. Mr. Mizutani of the Japan Muslim Association provided a supplementary overview of the current situation of Muslim chaplains in Japan, outlining some of their activities in Japanese prisons and explaining the needs they can fulfill within medical institutions in Japan. In addition, Ms. Tomioka and Ms. Qureshi offered their perspectives as Muslims living in Japan, explaining the situation of the Muslim community in Japan and describing how the activities of peer support groups assist this community. They further commented on how the Muslim community in Japan is dealing with everyday gender issues. ＊報告文作成：保井 啓志氏（東京大学大学院総合文化研究科）