Khalid Latif, 25, understands how to build bridges. Serving as a Muslim Chaplain for New York University (NYU) and the New York Police Department, he crosses interfaith and cultural lines every day to help others overcome barriers and stereotypes.

“You have masses of people who don’t understand Islam or know Muslims so it’s important to be on your deen [the Arabic word for religious path or way of life]” says Khalid. “It’s a lot of responsibility but also a lot of opportunity to share with people.”

While at high school in New Jersey Khalid was captain of his football and track teams, a Senior Class president, and one of only two Muslims in his graduating class. Khalid’s faith was strengthened when he became an undergraduate at NYU. It was during this time that his vision for a pluralistic future on- and off-campus for American Muslims was cemented.

“NYU gave us the space to create a diverse community. I came to make salat [the Muslim word for prayer] one day and there was an Indonesian, African American, and Caucasian, all Muslims sitting there. I had never met a Muslim from Indonesia and who was also a surfer.”

After graduating, Khalid studied with Dr. Ingrid Mattson at the Islamic Chaplaincy Program at Hartford Seminary. His training has helped him as a Chaplain for NYU and Princeton, where he was the first person to hold the position for both schools. Khalid commuted between the two institutions until students at NYU decided they didn’t want to risk losing their favorite Chaplain to an Ivy rival. Princeton offered Khalid a full-time position that NYU quickly countered.

“Jewish, Catholic and Muslim kids asked in a University meeting “what, are you going to let Princeton take him away?” Khalid accepted the Chaplain position with NYU. He continues to share a strong bond with the campus rabbi, sits on panels with Russell Simmons, and is sought after by the likes of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

Continuing to build on his popularity and interfaith work, Khalid is trying to establish the country’s first Islamic Student Life Center on campus. “The center will not just be for Muslims but for all students,” he says.”   “A lot of what we do is not forced but allows them to walk away with something that benefits everyone.”

Posted November 2007