Our Story & Mission
Born on the hospital floor, shaped by service, and committed to growing the next generation of Muslim chaplains.
Where We Come From
National Muslim Chaplains Association was founded by three Muslim chaplaincy professionals who met during their training at Northshore University Hospital. Every day, walking from room to room — sitting with patients in their fear, their grief, their uncertainty — they saw the same thing: the need for Muslim spiritual care was immense, and the number of qualified Muslim chaplains to meet it was far too small.
They also saw something else: countless Muslims in their communities with the calling, the compassion, and the dedication to do this work, but with no clear path forward. No one had explained Clinical Pastoral Education to them. No one had told them what accreditation looks like, what a residency involves, or what a career in chaplaincy can be.
This organization exists to be that guide — the resource, the community, and the mentorship network they wish had existed when they started.
What We Stand For
✨ Faith-Rooted Service
We believe caring for people in their most vulnerable moments is an act of worship. Chaplaincy is fard kifayah — a communal obligation — and we treat it as such.
📚 Professional Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards because the people we serve deserve nothing less. CPE accreditation is not optional — it is the foundation.
🌐 Inclusive Representation
American Muslims are diverse — in ethnicity, language, madhab, and background. Our organization welcomes and celebrates that full diversity.
🤝 Communal Support
No chaplain walks alone. We build a network where those in training and those in practice support, advise, and lift one another.
The Need Is Real
Muslims are among the fastest-growing religious groups in the United States, yet are dramatically underrepresented in professional chaplaincy roles.
When a Muslim patient is in a hospital facing a terminal diagnosis, or a Muslim inmate needs spiritual guidance, or a Muslim soldier is deployed far from home — they deserve access to someone who shares their faith and can walk with them Islamically. Our organization exists to make that a reality in every corner of this country.
Join the Movement
Whether you want to become a chaplain, support the work, or simply learn more — there is a place for you here.