Our Vision
Our vision at the Islamic Center is to provide a space for a pluralistic future on and off campus for American Muslims. We hope that the Islamic Center at NYU will become a spiritual and intellectual crossroads of Islam and America, creating a deep and diverse community of ambitions and resources.
Our Story
The Islamic Center at NYU serves a diverse Muslim population in the New York and the tri-state area. Located in the heart of lower Manhattan, the Islamic Center at NYU provides a safe place for individuals with multiple points of entry to learn, pray, socialize and utilize a space situated at intellectual and spiritual crossroads. Inspired by the belief that communities develop in a supportive environment, people from all backgrounds are welcomed to engage in cross-cultural experiences, social justice endeavours, civic engagement initiatives, multifaith programming, spiritual practices and religious education.
Our Leadership
Get to know the team behind ICNYU
Imam Khalid Latif
Executive Director, University Chaplain- kl442@nyu.eduImam Khalid Latif is a University Chaplain for New York University, and Executive Director of the Islamic Center at NYU (ICNYU). Under his leadership, ICNYU became the first ever established Muslim student center at an institution of higher education in the United States. Imam Latif’s exceptional dedication and ability to cross interfaith and cultural lines on a daily basis brought him recognition throughout New York City.
Most recently, Imam Latif was selected as one of 60 New York City leaders to serve on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s transition team, helping to recommend and select individuals for key roles in the current NYC administration and was also appointed to a “Task Force to Combat Hate” by NYC Public Advocate Letitia James to deal with the rise in Islamophobic, antisemitic, and anti-Sikh sentiment in NYC.
Amira Shouman
Associate Director- as5090@nyu.eduAmira Shouman is a licensed social worker and Associate Director of the Islamic Center at NYU. Amira's background in higher education has centered around student engagement in community service and leadership programs. At the Islamic Center, her work is focused on creating a space where students and community members can be supported and inspired in their unique identities. Amira oversees programs focused around community organizing, direct service, healing spaces, self-expression through art and mental health wellness. Amira received her Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Masters in Social Work from NYU. In addition to her role at the Islamic Center, Amira works as a psychotherapist in Harlem.
Dr. Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer
Associate Chaplain and Research Scholar - fj490@nyu.eduDr. Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer is the Research Scholar for the Islamic Center at New York University and an Associate Chaplain for the Center of Global & Spiritual Life at NYU. In addition, he is currently a doctoral candidate at NYU Steinhardt’s School of Education. Sheikh Faiyaz attained an MA degree in Islamic Studies (UK), with a concentration on early Islamic history, after his undergraduate degree from SUNY Stony Brook University in Political Science and Religious Studies. He has had his research published by academic journals. In pursuing the classical course of Islamic education, Faiyaz studied in the Seminary of Karbala, Iraq, one of the most prominent centers for Islamic learning. As a faith leader and social activist, Faiyaz Jaffer has lectured at various universities, seminars, and workshops across the United States, Canada, Europe, East Africa, and the Middle East. Due to the political and social climate, he has been making strides in the greater New York area by taking part in a number of interfaith seminars and discussions in the aspiration of increasing dialogue with various faith leaders. His outreach efforts have allowed him to be featured in some of the country’s most prominent media outlets. As a highly sought-after lecturer and religious leader, Faiyaz regularly leads prayer services and delivers sermons across North America.
Dr. Marwa Assar
Psychologist - ma7082@nyu.eduDr. Marwa is a psychologist and psycho-spiritual teacher who specializes in providing counseling as well as psycho-spiritual education that are rooted in Islamic teachings and approached through an Islamic Psychological Lens. Alongside her constant pursuit of Islamic studies, Dr. Marwa has studied psychology extensively for 10 years. In addition to completing both her bachelors and masters degree in psychology, she has also completed her doctorate of psychology (PsyD) degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her doctoral research focus was on Islam & Psychology as she completed a research study titled, "An Islamic Psychological Approach to Psychotherapy (2017)" highlighting what Islamic teachings have to offer to the world of psychological wellness and psycho-therapy with Muslim clients. Through Her work as both a psychologist and teacher, she is dedicated to empowering others on a spiritual, mental, and emotional level, and has spent over a decade extensively exploring and merging traditional Islamic teachings with psychology to help others cultivate greater psychological health, navigate their human experience beautifully, and tackle the spiritual & psychological barriers that come between them and experiencing healthy, fulfilling relationships with God, themselves, and others. In addition to her studies, Dr. Marwa's training as a psychologist involved working in diverse settings from an inpatient substance abuse treatment facility, to schools, private practice, and mental health organizations. Dr. Marwa is also The founder of The H.O.M.E Institute, which is named after her Heart Over Mind & Ego (H.O.M.E) approach to psycho-spiritual wellness, a methodology she conceptualized through an Islamic psychological lens to help others understand their psychological and spiritual design and experience greater inner peace and alignment. Through her work at The H.O.M.E Institute, Dr. Marwa offers both online and physical spaces for the hearts of others where students can learn the heart-centered knowledge and tools they need to thrive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
Dr. Tara Nasir Gore
Clinical Psychologist - tng216@nyu.eduDr. Tara Nasir Gore is a clinical psychologist associated with NYU Counseling Services who provides mental health services to students at the Islamic Center. Tara has experience working with individuals from early childhood through adulthood in varying capacities, including conducting individual and group counseling, neuropsychological evaluations, and academic remediation. Tara’s clinical and research interests are focused around the educational experiences and mental health needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. As a first generation, Pakistani, and Muslim American, Tara aims to make mental health care more accessible to those in communities like her own where there is a greater mental health disparity. She is a native Urdu speaker and has experience providing treatment in that language. In addition to these interests, Tara has an expertise in working with children and adults on the autism spectrum. She has worked at a special education school and community mental health clinic providing emotional and behavioral support, as well as conducting diagnostic evaluations with these students. Tara received her PhD in School Psychology from Fordham University and she completed her undergraduate studies at NYU. She has trained at Columbia University Medical Center, as well as various community mental health clinics and outpatient centers across the NYC area. In addition to her role at the Islamic Center, Tara works as a therapist and neuropsychologist in private practice and is an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University.