Maysoon Shafiq is an award-winning faith leader recognised for her extensive work in fostering understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Recently, she has been appointed as the first female Muslim Chaplaincy Lead in NHS England. Being in her new role since July 2024, Maysoon explains how her career in chaplaincy began and what the role involves.   

Why you decided to become a Muslim Chaplain?

I stumbled on a career in Chaplaincy whilst completing my Dars-e-Nizsmi (Alimah) course. However, looking back now, I feel I was always a Chaplain, but just never had the title assigned to my name. My father passed away when I was 19 and I remember as a young woman having to deal with the death registration process. Now, I sit with grieving families offering them bereavement support and assisting them with the death registration process, so that they do not feel alone.

It is helping families during these difficult times that I feel a sense of peace and contentment of giving back to my community. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “the best amongst you are those who can assist many people in their times of need” - this is what I live by.

What does your role as a Muslim Chaplain involve?

I play a dual role. Not only am I the first female Muslim Chaplaincy Team Lead to be appointed in NHS England, but I am also the dedicated Muslim Chaplain when a colleague is not available, therefore my role varies from day-to-day.

When in a managerial capacity, I lead and manage a team of Chaplains and volunteers who are from all faiths and beliefs to ensure there is adequate staffing in the department to meet the needs of the patients, as we are a patient-led service. I also, attend several governance meetings on a daily basis and ensure operational duties are aligned with the values of the Trust.

In the Muslim Chaplain capacity my role can include (but not limited to), reciting the Qur’an at bedside for patients; providing bereavement support for families who have lost a loved one; being the mediator between the funeral directors and mortuary staff to ensure rapid release of the body for burial. It can also include bedside prayer on the ward, the shrouding and arranging burial for the loss of babies in cases of early gestation. Providing spiritual support to staff and culturally competent training to different pathways.

What does a typical day look like?

The day can vary and no one day will be similar to another. An emergency can come in, where rapid release for an adult death is needed for burial or a woman can pass away on the ward. I will go up and offer the last rites, straighten the limbs and prepare the body for sending it to the mortuary for her relatives to collect along with the funeral directors.

What are the challenges of the role?

As the Lead Chaplain, I think the biggest challenge is to ensure staffing of the department to ensure I can deliver a service in a timely manner. The service is always run by part-time staff, who are faith leaders of their own congregations outside the Trust and so sometimes this can be difficult.

As the Muslim Chaplain, the biggest challenge is trying to raise awareness of the Chaplaincy service amongst the Muslim community. The service can offer so much support in terms of; pastoral, spiritual or religious care to patients and their family that sometimes it is difficult to see patients go through their time in hospital without asking to see a Muslim Chaplain.

What qualifications does one need to become a Chaplain?

An Islamic Theology degree is a must in order to be able to advise on matters of fiqh Islamic rulings. This is usually through the completion of the Dars-e-Nizami (Alimiyyah) course. One can then gain a further qualification in Chaplaincy through The Markfield Institute of Higher Education or other providers to gain hands on experience in Chaplaincy and how to serve as a Chaplain.

I would also strongly recommend anyone who is wanting to pursue a career in Chaplaincy to contact their local Trust and ask to gain some voluntary experience.

Placements are offered at my Trust to anyone who wants to gain some work experience. The only prerequisite is that they must be over 18 given the work on the hospital wards. Anyone who is interested is invited to send across their CV and covering letter to me in the first instance at: maysoon.shafiq2@nhs.net