Welcome to our new Muslim chaplain
Abdurrahman Anwar is our hospital’s new Muslim chaplain. We caught up with him to say hi and learn a bit more about him and his role.
Tell us a bit about you
“I was born in the USA, but I went to primary school in London – or to be more precise Newham! And my father has lived in Newham for 45 years, so this borough feels like home to me. I now live in Ilford with my wife and three children.”
Tell us a little bit about your background
“I’ve been an Imam for almost 16 years now. I first worked as an Imam in the UK, then for five years in the USA, before moving back to London. I’ve worked in and with many different communities, hospitals and organisations, and I’m looking forward to bringing all of my previous experience to this role.
“During the pandemic, I experienced a little of what it was like to be a hospital chaplain. People I knew asked me to speak to their loved ones who were alone in hospital to offer comfort and support. It was hard to do this over the phone – it’s not quite the same as in person. We can forget the power of human touch sometimes. But I wanted to do whatever I could to help these people and so I would do so over the phone, offering as much comfort and support as possible.
“I wasn’t a chaplain at the time, but doing this work gave me an insight into the great work they do. It showed me how chaplains really are the bridge between families, patients and the medical teams. So, when I saw that Newham Hospital was looking for a new chaplain, I immediately applied.”
What does your role as a chaplain involve?
“As the new Muslim chaplain for Newham Hospital, it’s my job to provide care and support to staff, patients and their families. I’m here to listen, to guide, and to help people of any faith or no faith try and make sense of incredibly difficult and challenging situations at any time, day or night.”
What excites you most about your new role?
“I’m really excited to be part of this chaplaincy team, the Newham Hospital family and team Barts Health, and that I get to be the bridge between people in my family’s local community and the hospital. Newham is a special borough with an incredibly diverse community. I believe this diversity, which is reflected in the hospital and its staff, is one of our greatest strengths and is something that should be celebrated. I’m really excited to harness the power of this diversity to be benefit of everyone.”
How can people get in contact with you?
“The best way to contact me is to say hi if you see my in the corridor, or pop into the chaplaincy office located next to the Quiet/Prayer Room in Zone 12 (through the Silvertown wards doors, on the right). You can also email me or call me on 020 7363 8053. Don’t forget that I am here to offer support to you, my colleagues, as much as to patients and their families.”
Read more:
- Chaplaincy at Barts Health
- Head of chaplaincy features in new installation that captures life during the pandemic
- WeBelong