SWINDON College has appointed a Muslim cleric to its chaplaincy team for the first time.
Imam Ali D Omar is already a part-time lecturer in Arabic at the college, and says he will now be in a position to help Muslim students and staff in their spiritual well-being.
He said: "Many students from ethnic minority groups have difficulties in adjusting to the move from school to the much larger college and this is one area where I am sure that I can be of assistance.
Imam Omar is a religious education adviser for Swindon's Islamic Awareness and Education Project and is frequently a preacher at local mosques.
College chaplain Reverend Derryck Evans said: "The job of the Chaplaincy team is to look after the spiritual and moral well being of all our students.
"I am really pleased that Ali Omar has been able to join us as he will bring a great deal to our community."
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