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Duke hires first Muslim chaplain
Abdullah Antepli to join staff as full-time imam
By: Christopher Ross
Issue date: 6/19/08 Section: News
Last update: 6/19/08 at 8:32 AM EST
Last update: 6/19/08 at 8:32 AM EST
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Duke will be joining a very small group of universities across the country-including Georgetown University, Princeton University and Yale University-that have full-time imams.
When he begins work July 1, Antepli will be taking on a number of tasks that include religious leadership, counseling and faith-based work.
He will not, however, be limited to mentoring only the Muslim community. Antepli will also teach courses in the Fall, and he said he expects to reach out to all students and promote collaboration between the Muslim community and other groups.
"One of the things I love most about Duke, which attracted me to this University, is its diversity," he said. "My ministry will tap into the diversity here at Duke, not just the Muslim community."
About 50 to 60 students are actively involved in the Duke Muslim Students Association, MSA President Ahmad El-Nagger said. Duke has approximately 300 undergraduate and graduate students who are Muslim, according to The (Raleigh) News and Observer. Because MSA lacks ways to find out which incoming students practice Islam, there is a crude process of getting the Muslim community together, El-Nagger said, adding that he hopes the process can be improved with this hire.
"This [hire] is beneficial to the Muslim community at Duke," said El-Nagger, a senior. "In the past the extent of our leadership was with a volunteer chaplain. Antepli can be our liaison between us and the administration."
For the past nine years, Imam Abdul-Hafeez Waheed of Durham has been voluntarily serving as the Muslim chaplain to the University. In April of last year Dean of the Chapel Sam Wells suggested to President Richard Brodhead that he hire a full-time University-funded Muslim chaplain.
After seven months of discussion, it was agreed that the new position would take the joint role of both chaplain and faculty. A committee was created in November 2007 for a nationwide search and the position was filled this past April.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 14
Fred C. Dobbs
posted 6/19/08 @ 1:12 PM EST
The whole idea of "chaplains" employed by a university is anti-intellectual and divisive. To be non-discriminatory, Duke should also hire a Scientologist, a sun-worshipper, a Mormon, a Rastafarian, a Santeria priest etc. (Continued…)
student
posted 6/19/08 @ 3:10 PM EST
I think it's great that Duke is trying to accomodate people of all religions, especially a religion that so many non-Muslims are interested in learning about. (Continued…)
watt
posted 6/19/08 @ 10:50 PM EST
I wonder how much intellectual diversity there is among the chaplain class at Duke. I'd bet they're all hard-core leftists. When the Duke lacrosse case was at full burn, the Duke chaplains were among the first and foremost to lead the rush to judgment. (Continued…)
Methodist affiliated
posted 6/20/08 @ 8:01 AM EST
John Wesley is spinning in his grave.
olekinderhook
posted 6/22/08 @ 2:33 AM EST
a MUSLIM eh? Looks like the Gang of 88 is kowtowing to Barack HUSSEIN obama and the rest of the leftists in the DUKE DIVINITY DEPARTMENT aka THE THIRD COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 6/26/08 @ 12:42 PM EST
I think Wells isn't even an American? I may be wrong, but if so, what is he doing putting politics into one of his "so-called sermons"...Also The RC Chaplain Fr. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 6/26/08 @ 8:43 PM EST
This is a sad state of affairs following the political correctness that is frankly offensive to the majority. Next it will be foot washes and a private gym for the ladies. (Continued…)
Jamie Harrison
posted 6/30/08 @ 11:25 AM EST
Duke University is exceedingly fortunate to be able to welcome Abdullah Antepli as its first Muslim chaplain. I have known Abdullah through Hartford Seminary for the past four years. (Continued…)
Donna Manocchio
posted 7/03/08 @ 12:07 PM EST
The Duke University community is sure to be blessed by the presence of Abdullah Antepli, whom was recently hired as the Muslim Chaplain. Abudullah is a compassionate, intelligent, engaging, and dedicated man who lives the joy and challenge of his Islamic faith. (Continued…)
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