NYU Islamic Center Podcasts

Dr. Marwa Assar 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.

Imam 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, so much so that in 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg nominated Imam Latif to become the youngest chaplain in history of the New York City Police Department at the age of 24Most 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.

Amir Sulaiman is a Grammy nominated poet, recording artist, Harvard Fellow, and producer, screenwriter for film and television. He has performed his works across the US as well as many other countries including England, Belgium, Senegal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Australia, Iran and the Netherlands, and continues to tour world-wide.The album “8:46” Amir created along with Dave Chappelle has earned them a Grammy nomination and praise from publications like Variety and USA Today. The shows he has written and produced for Marvel, Disney+, Hulu and HBO have garnered Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody nominations. His poetry collection, Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts, met with critical acclaim, in addition to his latest album "The Opening," the third in a unique trilogy project. Amir was first introduced to a National audience in 2005 when he was featured for two seasons on Russell Simmons' groundbreaking series Def Poetry Jam on HBO.

Imam 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, so much so that in 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg nominated Imam Latif to become the youngest chaplain in history of the New York City Police Department at the age of 24Most 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.

Dr. 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 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.

Imam Adéyínká "Muhammad" Mendes, aka Adé, is a son of Dayton, Ohio, born to a Christian African-American mother and a theist Nigerian father in 1975. His mother is a retired attorney who fought against workplace discrimination and his late father was a physician who found immense joy in treating the sick. Respecting and appreciating diverse religions and cultures was a core value in their home.In 1982, Adé’s parents sold their suburban home and relocated to Lagos, Nigeria. There he experienced the wisdom, elegance, and healing power of traditional African living, and witnessed people of different religions coexisting peacefully.Adé returned with his family to Houston, Texas, in 1989 for high school.  In 1993, following a life-changing journey to Jerusalem, he felt called to embrace Islam, the Way of Love and Path of the Prophets. After attending Morehouse College and the Ohio State University, he traveled around the world studying Classical Arabic, theology, sacred jurisprudence, contemplative arts, and the science of spiritual illumination from living masters in Syria, Sudan, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal. He has been teaching these and other sacred sciences since 2001.Adé worked as an educator and award-winning sales executive before discovering his mission to serve as an Imam dedicated to the liberation of the human spirit in 2010. He is the founder of The Nibras Foundation, the Bilal Spiritual Center for Peace and the Arts, as well as co-founder of the African-American Healing, Ancestry, and Development (AHAD) Collective. Adé speaks nationally and internationally on Quranic Spirituality, Youth and Adult Rites of Passage, Peace-building, and the healing wisdom of Black Muslim cultures and civilizations. His research interests include the political implications of mystical poetry, the history and adaptations of Islam in Black Africa and the African diaspora, and Muslim-led anti-slavery revolts in the Americas. He also translates sacred literature, teaches at retreats, and builds community.Adé served as Imam at Masjid al-Mo’mineen and the Madina Institute Masjid in Georgia and as both Imam and Scholar-in-Residence at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton in New Jersey. He currently serves on the advisory boards of Goodtree Institute and the Islamic Society for Holistic Education and teaches regularly with CelebrateMercy, Wasat, and the Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts. He is a recipient of the Center for Global Muslim Life "2020 Spiritual Impact Award" and his latest work, The Spirits of Black Folk: Sages Through the Ages, a translation of Imam al-Suyuti’s text on early Black Muslim luminaries is due to be released in 2021, God willing. Imam Mendes currently resides in New Jersey with his spouse Rukayat Yakub, a Montessori educator and award-winning children’s author, along with their seven lovely children.

Imam 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, so much so that in 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg nominated Imam Latif to become the youngest chaplain in history of the New York City Police Department at the age of 24Most 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.

Dr. 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 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.