Faith and Spirituality

Faith and spirituality play an important role in wellbeing; not only through religious traditions or specific spiritual practices, but also through our musings on motivation, meaning, relationships, ethics, values and life!

At Oasis we celebrate our diversity and hold space for all religious and spiritual identities. Our Spiritual Care team offer support and regular spiritual wellbeing initiatives within Oasis.

There are multiple ways to engage and connect spiritually at Oasis

Spiritual Care at Oasis

The Spiritual Care team at Oasis offer a number of initiatives to support your wellbeing as well as overseeing the centre’s spiritual care, offering a listening ear, or networking you in with other university services or faith groups.

Our Spiritual Care team is welcoming of people of all faiths, as well as no specific faith. Their role is to support your individual spiritual wellbeing and provide opportunities for one-one support as well weekly programs and initiatives. All of the team are trained and accredited leaders within their faith traditions, and together uphold an inclusive, multi-faith approach.

The Spiritual Care team offers a caring presence to all staff and students at the University; encouraging spirituality, offering hospitality and fostering community. We do this by embracing our diversity, encouraging conversation and respecting our similarities and differences.

Our team, as well as our multi-faith liaisons are available for one-on-one confidential support for any questions and concerns in matters of faith, spirituality, values, ethics, relationships, and the self.

Many Flinders University faith and religious groups find a home at Oasis, as do programs promoting spiritual wellbeing. You can find out more about the Flinders religious and spiritual groups by visiting the FUSA Clubs page.

Central to the Oasis ethos is providing a place of welcome, inclusivity, and hospitality. It is our hope that Oasis is a place where we can share together what makes us human, both our differences and similarities, as well as our hopes for ourselves and the world.

Dave

Dave is the Coordinating Chaplain of Oasis and an ordained minister of the Uniting Church in Australia. Dave has been a chaplain with Oasis since 2014, with time spent previously at the University of South Australia and the University of Wollongong. He helps to oversee and promote our many expressions of faith, spirituality and religion as an important aspect of well-being.

Dave runs weekly meditation based on mindfulness traditions on Wednesdays and Fridays. To get in touch with Dave email him – dave.williamson@flinders.edu.au or pop in and see him on Wednesdays or Fridays.

Christy

A Chaplain at Oasis since 2025, and a current student herself (currently studying a Bachelor of Youth Work through Tabor College), Christy provides wellbeing support at Oasis for the Flinders community, especially regarding expressions of faith, spirituality and religion as an important part to overall wellbeing.

Christy runs Convo groups on Tuesday and Thursday and is also available for individual spiritual care. Get in touch with Christy via email christy.overton@flinders.edu.au or pop in and see her at Oasis on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Religious liaisons, mentors and leaders

Whilst they may not be on campus, our network of religious liaisons, mentors and leaders are more than happy to assist.

Salim Kalaniya (Muslim Liaison)

Mohammed Salim Kalaniya is an Oasis Muslim community contact. He works in the field of IT and has a keen interest in multifaith & interfaith dialogue, community development and support for international students. He is a Justice of the Peace for SA and his JP services are available weekly at the Hindmarsh Library. Being our Muslim Liaison he is willing to answer your queries related to Islam and Muslims. Contact Salim via email on: salim.kalaniya@yahoo.com.au

Jewish Liaison

Please contact the Rabbi of Beit Shalom Progressive Synagogue in Hackney: bshalom@bshalomadel.com

Abul Farooque (Muslim mentor)

Abul was born in Calcutta, India. He gained a Masters Degree in Islamic History and Culture from Calcutta University, before gaining a PhD in the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Abul taught at Flinders University in the School of Education and Department of Asian Studies for 27 years. Abul was President of the South Australian Multi-faith Association and joined Oasis after his retirement. Abul served as the Muslim Chaplain with Oasis for many years, before taking a step back to offer himself as a mentor and liaison. Contact: abulfarooque@yahoo.com.au

Meditation

Midday Meditation takes place weekly in our common room. Drawing on principles of mindfulness based meditation, these few moments help to focus, renew, and de-stress.

Prayer rooms and Friday prayer

The prayer rooms at Oasis are dedicated for Muslim prayer. We also provide information on prayer rooms in other parts of the university. Each Friday the community gathers in the Oasis common room for Friday Prayer.