The Muslim chaplain at Duke University is scheduled to deliver the opening prayer to the U.S. House next week.
Abdullah T. Antepli was invited as the guest of U.S. Rep. David Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat.
"I am deeply humbled and honored to be asked to give this opening prayer. It is a great honor for me and for Duke University," Antepli said in a news release. "It’s wonderful that Congress, through their invitation, is acknowledging Duke’s commitment to diversity and a pluralistic society."
Antepli is scheduled to give the prayer Wednesday, March 3. He is one of only a handful of full-time Muslim chaplains at U.S. colleges and universities. He serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Duke Divinity School and Duke Islamic Studies Center, where he teaches courses on Islam.
