Our Chaplains

Sheikh Harun Spevack

ISBU Chaplain

Sheikh Harun Spevack studied Islam in the traditional master-disciple method with scholars from around the world and has a PhD in Arabic and Islamic Intellectual History. His teaching specialties and research interests include topics in Islamic studies, such as law, theology, Sufism, history, and culture.

He taught at Harvard University’s Summer School, Colgate University, Loyola University New Orleans, and was a postdoctoral teaching and research fellow in the Humanities at Hamilton College. Prior to that, he taught Arabic at Boston University, Music Theory at Ai New England Institute of Art, and private musical instrumental and ensemble lessons at Music Maker Studios (Brighton, MA) and Buckingham Browne & Nichols high school (Cambridge, MA). Finally, he is the founder and director of Boston’s Bukhari Institute, which offers educational programs on the arts and sciences of the Islamic world.

Sister Nagla Abdalla

ISBU Chaplain

Sr. Nagala grew up in Dubai before moving to Maryland, eventually settling in Boston in 2016. She began her professional journey in the banking sector, where she worked for approximately 15 years, gaining extensive experience in financing and customer service.

After transitioning to the field of education, Sr. Nagala dedicated around six years to the Boston Public Schools (BPS) system. She served as a family resources specialist, supporting the Arabic/Muslim community, and later took on the role of project manager in the BPS Office of Social Work. Her work in education emphasized building connections and fostering inclusivity within the school system.

In addition to her professional roles, Sr. Nagala earned her master’s degree from Wheelock College, further solidifying her expertise in education and leadership. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Education Leadership and Policy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, expanding her knowledge and impact in the field.

Sister Naureen Mallick

ISBU Chaplain

Sr. Naureen is originally from Pakistan and moved to the United States after getting married, where she has raised her four children. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Pakistan and has been actively involved with Al-Huda, a renowned organization based in Pakistan, since 2005. Her association with Al-Huda spans roles as both a student and teacher, leveraging their robust e-learning platform to reach a global audience.

A strong advocate for teaching religion through its foundational sources, Sr. Naureen has dedicated herself to the in-depth study of the Quran and Sahih Bukhari—the encyclopedic collection of the Prophet’s sayings—in their original Arabic text. Her commitment to understanding and teaching these texts has also led her to explore related fields such as fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), tajweed (the science of Quranic recitation), and the meticulous system of hadith authentication and citation, a scholarly tradition pioneered by early Muslim scholars.

Through her teaching, Sr. Naureen shares her expertise with students across the globe, including those in India, Canada, the UK, Russia, and the Middle East.

Sr. Chaplain Nagla Abdalla (Left) and Sr. Chaplain Naureen Mallick (Right)

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