Samia Omar is a Muslim Chaplain at Harvard University and serves on the board of Chaplains at Harvard University. She is an Egyptian American who completed her bachelor's degree in social work and has pursued a master's degree at SMU in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Islamic Studies. She holds an advanced certificate as well as a general Ijaaza in Islamic studies. In 2001, she began working in New York City as an Islamic Studies school teacher. Following this, she worked as a residential manager for many years overseeing service to adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges. Later, she relocated to Dallas, Texas with her husband and helped established the Arabic language and Islamic studies program for youth and young adults at TAQWA Seminary. She later became co-founder of the Islamic Seminary of America and managed the Islamic studies and Arabic language programs there, with over 200 students in attendance. Thru her work in the seminaries, she established programs that combined classroom education and field experiences to educate youth and young adults about matters of faith and life.

In 2018, she was welcomed to Harvard University as the first female Muslim Chaplain. As part of her duties at Harvard, Chaplain Samia organizes and co-leads the annual Harvard University Umrah trip as part of the programs of the Office of the Muslim Chaplains at Harvard. She recently co-authored a book entitled, An Umrah Guide for Students, New Muslims, Adolescents, and Persons with Disabilities. She also co-organizes the annual Ramadan and Eid Program for over 500 Harvard University Muslim students. Chaplain Samia leads a women’s only study circle that meets regularly and she offers mentoring and spiritual counseling, as well as many other programs throughout the academic year. In May of 2023, she was selected by the President of Harvard University to serve as the Chaplain of the Day for the Harvard University Commencement Program and offered the opening prayer for the ceremony. She resides in Cambridge with her husband and children.  

Email: samia_omar@harvard.edu