(Chair of the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) and Head of Chaplaincy and Bereavement Services, Barts Health NHS Trust)
Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala
Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala is one of the foremost Muslim healthcare chaplains in the UK, renowned for his leadership in providing spiritual care within the healthcare sector. With over two decades of experience, Shaykh Yunus has been at the forefront of integrating Islamic chaplaincy into the National Health Service (NHS) and has played a pivotal role in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of Muslim patients in one of the most diverse regions in the UK. As the Chair of the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), he also contributes to ensuring the integrity of halal practices across the country.
A Leader in Healthcare Chaplaincy
Currently serving as the Head of Chaplaincy and Bereavement Services at Barts Health NHS Trust, Shaykh Yunus oversees spiritual care for patients and families in a community with one of the largest Muslim populations in the UK. His role extends beyond religious guidance; he provides emotional support to patients of all faiths, addressing the unique needs of individuals during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Shaykh Yunus began his chaplaincy journey in 1998, offering spiritual care voluntarily before becoming the first person from a minority faith to head a chaplaincy service within the NHS. His trailblazing appointment set a precedent for Muslim representation in healthcare chaplaincy. Over the years, he has become a central figure in promoting holistic care, ensuring that the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of patients is respected and supported within NHS frameworks.
Educational Background: A Blend of Traditional and Modern Scholarship
Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala’s educational journey began at the prestigious Darul-Uloom Bury, one of the leading institutions for Islamic studies in the UK, where he gained a strong foundation in traditional Islamic sciences. He furthered his education at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, one of the oldest and most respected centers of Islamic learning in the world. This combination of traditional Islamic education and modern engagement with healthcare allows Shaykh Yunus to address both religious and contemporary issues with profound understanding and sensitivity.
Diverse Experience: From Prisons to Healthcare
Before joining the NHS, Shaykh Yunus served as an Imam at several mosques in Seven Kings, Essex, and East Ham, London, providing spiritual leadership and support to local communities. He also worked as a full-time Imam at Belmarsh Prison, a high-security facility where he provided pastoral care and religious services to Muslim inmates. This experience equipped him with unique insights into the challenges faced by Muslims in difficult and often isolating environments, making him particularly adept at offering compassionate care in stressful or crisis situations.
Chaplaincy and Leadership in the NHS
Shaykh Yunus’s role at Barts Health NHS Trust places him at the heart of healthcare chaplaincy in the UK. He has been a regular trainer on national chaplaincy courses and was elected to the Council of the College of Healthcare Chaplains in 2003. His influence extends into the development of chaplaincy services across the NHS, where he advocates for the inclusion of minority faiths in chaplaincy provisions.
Under his leadership, Barts Health NHS Trust’s chaplaincy service has become a model for other hospitals across the UK, demonstrating the importance of integrating spiritual care into patient recovery and well-being. His work has earned him national recognition, including being named Healthcare Hero/NHS Employee of the Year at the 2010 HEAL Awards (Healthcare Excellence and Leadership), an accolade that highlights his dedication and outstanding service within the NHS.
Chair of the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC)
In addition to his chaplaincy work, Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala serves as the Chair of the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), one of the UK’s leading halal certification bodies. Under his guidance, the HMC works to ensure that halal food standards are upheld across the country, promoting transparency and ethical practices in halal certification. His leadership at the HMC plays a crucial role in maintaining the trust of the Muslim community in halal products and services, particularly in an era where food authenticity is increasingly scrutinized.
Community Engagement and Public Speaking
Shaykh Yunus is a frequent speaker at Islamic events, youth conferences, and healthcare seminars, where he addresses a range of topics, including spiritual care, the role of chaplaincy in modern healthcare, and the importance of halal integrity. His talks resonate with diverse audiences, offering insights into how Islamic values can be integrated into everyday life while addressing contemporary challenges.
His engagement with the Muslim community extends beyond healthcare. As a leader, Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala is committed to nurturing the next generation of Muslim leaders, empowering them to serve their communities with compassion, integrity, and knowledge. His frequent participation in youth meetings and Islamic gatherings underscores his dedication to inspiring young Muslims to engage with their faith in meaningful ways.
Awards and Recognition
Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala’s contributions to healthcare and chaplaincy have been widely recognized. His most notable accolade is the Healthcare Hero/NHS Employee of the Year 2010 at the HEAL Awards, hosted by 24/7 Media Group. This prestigious award highlights his outstanding service and leadership in promoting spiritual care within the NHS.
