U.S. Rep. David Price, left, meets with Duke Muslim chaplain Abdullah Antepli, his wife Asuman, and U.S. House chaplain Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin

Antepli Delivers Opening Prayer at US House

Duke Muslim chaplain begins Wednesday session (video)

Duke University Press Release, Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Durham, NC — Duke Muslim chaplain Abdullah T. Antepli delivered the opening prayer for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., this morning. Antepli served as guest chaplain at the invitation of Congressman David Price, D-N.C.

Antepli, who joined Duke in July 2008, is one of only a handful of full-time Muslim chaplains at U.S. colleges and universities. 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. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Duke Divinity School and Duke Islamic Studies Center, where he teaches courses on Islam.

Following the prayer, Rep. Price took to the floor for a short address praising Antepli as a leader who helps to bridges faiths across the campus. Video of the session is embedded below: (The prayer begins five seconds into the video; Price’s comments immediately follow the Pledge of Allegiance.)

To see the video on the Duke site, click here.

The text of the prayer:

God of all Nations,

Look with favor upon this esteemed Congress. Guide these important decision makers with your Divine Light. Be their source of strength and comfort. Enable them to serve you and glorify Your names by serving the citizens of this great nation and to the entire humanity, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or religion.

Oh God,

Make them Your instruments to deliver Your divine Mercy and Compassion. Bless them with openness and humility. Fill their hearts and minds with passion and determination to improve the quality of the life of their fellow human beings. Grant them success in their efforts to wipe out poverty, ignorance, racism and hate in this country and beyond.

Oh God,

Make these women and men, peacemakers, healers and bridge builders, so urgently needed in our wounded and broken times. Give them the strength that they need to keep what needs to be kept. Give them the courage that they need to change what needs to be changed. Give them the wisdom they need to distinguish the one from the other.

Oh God

If we forget You. Do not forget us.

In your most Holy and Beautiful names we pray. Amen.

While in Washington, Antepli also met with a variety of journalists and policy makers. He was interviewed by reporters who cover higher education, the Islamic world and related topics, ranging from Inside Higher Education and the Chronicle of Higher Education to Al Jazeera and the Voice of America. He also met privately with policy experts, members of Congress and others. In addition, Antepli was honored at two receptions, including a Wednesday morning gathering on Capitol Hill.