As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu, 

I write to you as we approach the holy month of Dhul Hijjah and with the arrival of the best 10 days of the Islamic year. If you are going on Hajj, May Allah (SWT) accept and reward you for fulfilling this responsibility.

On campus, it is relatively quiet after the return of the colorful commencement ceremonies to the quadrangle after an absence of two years. The university-wide Commencement Ceremony featured multi-faith benedictions that have become an essential reflection of our religiously and spiritually diverse campus. In addition the Multifaith Baccalaureate Service of the Class of 2022 was a beautiful time of gathering and reflection that featured several of our Muslim seniors offering blessings and reflections. You can read more here. Congratulations to the Class of 2022! 

You may remember the vibrant community and delicious food during the blessed month of Ramadan in your days on campus. After an absence of about a dozen years, the entirety of this sacred month returned during the academic year and it was received with much fanfare and festivity at Cannon Chapel. A total of twenty iftars were held at the chapel for the first time since 2010, with an average about 110 students attending each night.

The iftars were sponsored by the Emory Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, Emory MSA, GMSC, other religious and cultural student groups, Emory Muslim Alumni and a number of Emory Schools, Divisions, and Units including the Office of the President and many deans and vice presidents. It was a pleasure welcoming President Gregory L. Fenves as he joined for an iftar and mingled with the Muslim community after Maghrib prayers and offered greetings. 

The 2021-2022 academic year was part online and part in person. Our earnest hope is to return to a traditional in person academic year in the year ahead.

As we approach the new academic year, I would like to remind you of our ongoing work to design and open the Emory Interfaith Center as a place for students of all faiths to come together and spend time in study, learning, celebration, and cooperation for good causes. It will include beautiful spaces for prayer and ablution, meetings, meals, and study. My own dreams and support for such a center span over two decades, and if you would like to join us and support our efforts to open the Emory Interfaith Center, you can give here or reach out to us for more detailed information.

Until next time, May Peace Be Upon You. 

Dr. Isam Vaid

Muslim Religious Life Scholar
Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
Emory University