Profiles in African-American Chaplaincy

Tahara Akmal

Clinical Pastoral Education Manager and Chaplain, MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Field of chaplaincy: CPE

• Tahara made history as the first Muslim woman since ACPE’s inception in 1967 to be certified as an ACPE Educator
• She is an Adjunct Professor at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she teaches in the chaplaincy program. Tahara is also a Visiting Faculty member at Bayan Islamic Graduate School, where she teaches in the Islamic chaplaincy program.
• Tahara is a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains.
• She earned a BA in psychology with a concentration in human development from Vanguard University of Southern California. She minored in religion, with a focus on ministry and leadership. Tahara earned an MA degree in Islamic studies and pastoral counseling from the Claremont School of Theology. Tahara is currently a PhD student at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania.

How did you come to your work as a chaplain? 

TA: A couple of events in my life influenced my decision to pursue chaplaincy as a vocation. The first event occurred when my mother’s sister, my aunt, was very sick and hospitalized in the intensive care unit. One day when I was visiting her, a chaplain was present with my cousin. I cannot remember what the chaplain said to us, or his prayer (if he prayed at all). I remember his kind face and compassion to show up for our family when we were unsure about my aunt’s prognosis, feeling anxious and alone in the hospital. 

The chaplain was African American.  Seeing someone from my community in this influential clergy role and our encounter with him stayed with me. At that time, I was earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in religion and decided to complete my field practicum as a chaplain intern in a hospital setting. Working as a chaplain intern sealed it for me. From that time, I knew that hospital chaplaincy was the call for my life’s work.

How did you come to the sector where you work now? 

TA: My introduction to working as a chaplain was in healthcare chaplaincy where I was assigned to clinical units where I had encounters with patients, their loved ones and hospital staff. The connections and sacred conversations I experienced reminded me of two traditions in Islam. One reminds humanity that the Divine is present with those who are sick. The Divine has sent a direct invitation to society to be in the Divine Presence by visiting and caring for the ill and infirmed. Our Prophet Mohammed reminds humanity that the person who goes to see someone who is sick is showered in Divine Mercy as they are traveling to see the ill person, when they sit with the sick person and as they travel to return home. From the person’s intention to see someone, through their journey to and froe, and while they sit with the sick person, the visitor is enveloped in God’s Mercy.  

How does your identity inform your work?

TA: My identity as an African American Muslim woman leader, clergyperson and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Certified Educator impacts my work in several ways. First, there are not many Muslim women, let alone African American Muslim women, working as professional chaplains compared to other faith groups in the United States (U.S.) The presence of Muslim women of color as clergy with religious and positional authority is a powerful image that can be comforting for Muslims and African American patients to see someone they can connect with as their spiritual care provider while hospitalized.  Also, my identity as a Muslim woman combats stereotypes that Muslim women are not leaders in society.

What was the proudest moment of your career to date?

TA: One of my proudest moments thus far in my career as a chaplain and CPE educator was becoming the first Muslim woman to be certified as an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) associate educator and a fully certified educator in 2016. When I decided to pursue chaplaincy as a career, I wanted to go as far as I could in the field so when other people of color and in particular Muslim women, are interested in chaplaincy I could help them on their journey. I believe part of my work includes providing help to others, especially in the minority and Muslim community, learn about chaplaincy, CPE programs and the options in seminary degree programs, so they are able to pursue their dream to become professional chaplains. 

How would, or do, you advise people of color considering entering spiritual care or chaplaincy? 

TA: I would say to a person of color considering chaplaincy or spiritual care to follow your call. If chaplaincy is what someone wants to pursue, I would suggest exploring the diverse sectors where chaplains serve.  I would also say that many of the challenges that people of color face within the workforce and society (i.e., discrimination, having to work harder than others, expectations that people of color should teach non-minorities about racism) are also found in the field of chaplaincy and spiritual care. Religious work is not exempt from biases, racism, assumptions, and marginalization. However, this is where people of color can exemplify community, compassion, and anti-racism. Chaplaincy provides an opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and to honor their stories and life experiences.  

I would also suggest, if possible, for individuals to become board certified through one of the chaplaincy certification organizations. Having board certification as a chaplain indicates the education, clinical experience, accountability to a religious/spiritual community, and the hard work someone has put in to obtain a “professional chaplain” certification.