Imam Leads Prayer in US House of Representatives

WASHINGTON DC – A Muslim imam will deliver the opening prayer for the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC, at noon Wednesday, the prayer planned amidst a public discussion titled “Faith in Public Life.”

Imam Abdullah Antepli, Duke’s chief representative of Muslim affairs, will be serving as guest chaplain at the invitation of Congressman David Price, D-N.C.

This is the second time for Antepli to deliver the opening prayer for the House; he did so in March 2010 as well.

Before the prayer, the imam and Congressman Price will engage in a public discussion titled “Faith in Public Life.”

Moderated by author, podcast host and CVE analyst Rabia Chaudry, the discussion is sponsored by the Duke in DC office and the Duke Alumni Association.

Antepli previously served as Duke‘s first Muslim chaplain from July 2008 to 2014.

In his current work at Duke, he engages students, faculty and staff across and beyond campus through seminars, panels and other avenues to provide a Muslim voice and perspective to the discussions of faith, spirituality, social justice and more.

Antepli also serves as a faculty member at the Duke Divinity School, teaching a variety of courses on Islam and Muslim cultures.

He is the founder and executive board member of the Muslim Chaplains Association and a member of the National Association of College and University Chaplains.