For Immediate Release

Imam to Lecture at Princeton Seminary on “Islam in America”

Princeton, NJ, November 3, 2005– Sheikh Hamad Chebli, imam of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ), will give a lecture titled “Islam in America” on Wednesday, November 9 at Princeton Theological Seminary at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Lounge of the Mackay Campus Center. Imam Chebli, who spoke at the Seminary after 9/11 and has addressed classes there, holds a master’s degree in Islamic studies, with a specialization in Islamic canonical law, from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

On October 18, as part of the Seminary’s continuing relationship with Imam Chebli and ISCJ, the Seminary hosted an Iftar, a Ramadan prayer service and fast-breaking meal. The event, designed to create friendships and increase mutual understanding, was the first meeting of members of the Seminary community and the ISCJ community on the Seminary campus. 

At the service, Imam Chebli led members of ISCJ in evening prayer and the ceremonial breaking of the Ramadan fast with dates and milk, while members of the Seminary community observed respectfully. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan in honor of the reception of the Qur’an by the prophet Mohammed.

The service was followed by an Indo-Islamic fellowship meal in the Seminary dining room.  Academic dean Darrell Guder, professors Paul Rorem, Daniel Migliore, and Richard Young, and Morag Torrance, wife of president Iain Torrance, who was in Beirut at the time of the event, attended. Seminary students currently enrolled in a course on Islam being taught by Dr. Yasir Ibrahim, a visiting lecturer at the Seminary from Montclair State University, also enjoyed food and fellowship with trustees and members of ISCJ. 

“Conversations at the tables were joyful and flowed easily,” said Migliore. “I see events like this as a sign of friendship and generosity in a world marked by deep suspicion and open hostility toward people who are different.” 

Imam Chebli expressed hope that the friendship between the two communities would continue to deepen.  “Bringing Muslims and Christians together under one roof to observe prayer and the breaking of the fast is important. We live in the same town, the same country. What affects America affects me. We must build relationships with our neighbor so we get the feeling that no one is a stranger. We are all in the same boat.”  

The lecture is open to the public and free of charge. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Young at 609-497-7775 or by email at richard.young@ptsem.edu.