Bayan Islamic Graduate School Announces $1,000,000 grant
from the Annenberg Foundation
Grant to enable future growth of Bayan
July 15, 2021 – Orange, CA – Bayan Islamic Graduate School formally announces it has received a $1,000,000 grant from explore.org, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation, in support of Bayan’s mission to educate the next generation of Muslim leaders and scholars to better serve the community and dispel misunderstanding about Islam as a global faith tradition.
As a national American Muslim higher education institution rooted in the dynamic Los Angeles area, Bayan strives for a world that understands Islamic values in a modern context by offering accredited Master’s degrees with concentrations in Islamic Studies, leadership, education and chaplaincy. Bayan’s founder and president, Jihad Turk, was previously featured in “Traveling with Jihad,” a short film chronicling Mr. Charles Annenberg’s visit to the Holy Land accompanied by Jihad, who has roots there. The film can be viewed on Annenberg’s philanthropic explore.org documentary film channel at https://bit.ly/travelwithjihad.
Bayan, in the context of an abiding academic partnership with the Chicago Theological Seminary, aims to identify common ground upon which all peoples of faith and good will can collectively build a better tomorrow. Bayan provides a rigorous academic foundation in Islamic Studies, integrating traditional and contemporary discourses to advance a pluralistic and inclusive vision that enables Muslim students and those of other faiths and worldviews to engage one another to produce new understandings and opportunities for collaboration in addressing the pressing challenges of today’s world.
Bayan’s graduates represent the next generation of American Muslim religious and community leaders in houses of worship, non-profit organizations, schools, spiritual care (chaplaincy) contexts, and social upliftment programs. The Annenberg Foundation grant will allow Bayan to grow as a leader in faith-based education that serves the common good.
"We want to thank the Annenberg Foundation for their incredible support. This grant will allow Bayan to expand programs and fulfill its commitment to equity by providing scholarships to those working in underserved communities," said Jihad Turk, President of Bayan. "Our programs are for anyone wanting a rigorous faith-based education at the graduate level. Together with Annenberg, we will solidify the school as a leader in graduate education for those seeking a quality experience that equips them with tools to make an impact in their community."
About Bayan Islamic Graduate School
Bayan is a premier Islamic Graduate School in the United States whose mission is to offer a world-class non-sectarian education and produce dynamic and ethical leaders and scholars grounded in the Islamic tradition.
Students come from different backgrounds including education, social work, chaplaincy, and community service, and uplift their communities with the tools that a Bayan education provides.
The Bayan experience includes learning alongside students of other religious traditions and developing profound interpersonal relationships with diverse faith leaders. Bayan is educating the leaders of tomorrow for all people regardless of religion or race. They are leaders who are elevating American communities nationwide.
You can learn more about Bayan Islamic Graduate School here.
About The Annenberg Foundation
The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation that provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally. The Foundation and its Board of Directors are also directly involved in the community through innovative projects that advance public well-being, spark new ideas, and spread knowledge. The Foundation is committed to core values of responsiveness, accessibility, fairness, and involvement.
The Foundation believes in funding organizations that have a deep level of community involvement, are led by effective leaders and tackle challenging and timely problems. Specific organizational attributes valued by the Foundation are: visionary leadership, impact, sustainability, innovation, organizational strength, network of partnerships plus the population being served.
Learn more about the Annenberg Foundation here and explore.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Munir Shaikh
Vice President, Bayan
Phone: (714) 862-2926 ext. 5
Email: mshaikh@bayanonline.org