Chaplain · Spiritual care
Tauseef Akbar
About
A chaplain whose whole method is presence and listening
Chaplain Tauseef Akbar is the Associate Director of Spiritual Life and Coordinator of Muslim Life at The University of Chicago. In that role, he oversees support for religious and spiritual life on campus, addressing the needs of students across traditions and advocating for UChicago's Muslim community.
As a trained chaplain, Tauseef offers spiritual care and accompaniment, with years of walking alongside people through faith questions, grief, family tension and identity work.
Earlier in his career, Tauseef helped establish the Georgetown University Bridge Initiative Research Project on Islamophobia (2013–2015), working at the intersection of scholarship and advocacy.
Grief, doubt and questions of belonging are less problems to solve than weights to carry with someone beside you. That is the work Tauseef does.
Training & credentials
Master of DivinityAmerican Islamic College
BA, English — Creative WritingNorth Park University
University of ChicagoAssociate Director of Spiritual Life · Coordinator of Muslim Life
Georgetown UniversityHelped establish the Bridge Initiative on Islamophobia (2013–2015)
What he works with
Identity & belonging
Young Muslims, second-generation, converts, and anyone navigating faith across two cultures.
Faith doubt & dry periods
The seasons of feeling far. Re-anchoring iman without forcing it.
Grief, loss & qadr
Holding sabr and sorrow at the same time. The Islamic framework for bereavement.
Family & relational tensions
Intergenerational dynamics, marriage, parenting, in-laws, within a fiqh-aware frame.
OCD & religious anxiety
Working alongside the therapist to give religious permission to let go.
Spiritual support in recovery
Tawbah, shame, and the long return to self after addiction or hidden struggles.