Imam Khalid Latif

Imam Khalid Latif, born on October 18, 1982, serves as the Executive Director and Chaplain (Imam) at the Islamic Center at New York University (NYU). His career trajectory began in 2005 when he became the first Muslim chaplain at NYU, followed by a similar role at Princeton University in 2006. The year 2007 marked a significant milestone as Latif’s position at NYU was fully institutionalized, leading him to dedicate himself to the institution and the establishment of a Muslim life institution there.

Notably, in 2007, at the age of 24, Mayor Michael Bloomberg nominated Latif to become the youngest chaplain in the history of the New York City Police Department. Throughout his career, Latif has honed his skills as a spokesperson promoting co-existence, mutual understanding, and productive relationships among cultures, communities, and religions.

His influence extends globally, as he has shared his experiences with the U.S. State Department, various institutions, corporations, and communities in the United States, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and Egypt. Latif’s speaking engagements have included prestigious universities such as Harvard University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and others.

Recognized for his contributions, Latif was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world in 2010 by Georgetown University’s Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim–Christian Understanding and The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. He also received acclaim for his sermon “Real Men Don’t Hit Women,” earning a runner-up spot in the FaithTrust Institute’s National Sermon Contest in 2009.

Latif’s impact extends to media and documentaries, being one of the principal subjects in Chelsea Clinton’s 2014 documentary film “Of Many.” He has also been recognized for his writing, running a daily blog for the HuffPost Religion during Ramadan and winning the Brass Crescent Award in 2011. Additionally, he was named to the Christian Science Monitor’s “30 under 30” list in 2012 and received the NYU Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2014 for his efforts in bridging gaps between different faith groups. Latif’s endeavors also include ownership of Honest Chops.