The Diwan Foundation, an organization created by Muslim alumni of Cornell, will introduce its first initiative -- to establish and fund the university's first Muslim chaplaincy -- at its official public launch, Feb. 25 at 4:15 p.m. in the Founders Room of Anabel Taylor Hall.

The proposed full-time chaplaincy would be part of Cornell United Religious Work (CURW). It "will bring Cornell University on par with many of its peer institutions, which already have full-time Muslim chaplains or advisers serving their students' pastoral and spiritual needs," the foundation states on its website. The foundation says this would be the first privately supported Muslim chaplaincy at an American university.

Diwan was founded to enhance the quality of Muslim life on campus, by developing opportunities for students, enriching the Cornell experience for Muslims and supporting their well-being.

The foundation intends to achieve these goals by providing programming and services on campus, including the chaplain who would serve self-identifying Muslims and the Cornell community at large. Diwan's mission also includes serving as a resource for all Cornellians on matters pertaining to Islam as a culture, civilization and belief system. In these efforts, the foundation will rely on the support and experience of relevant student organizations, faculty advisers and community supporters.

Through CURW, Cornell is affiliated with about 30 organizations representing various belief communities, many of which support a chaplain. "What is missing at Cornell is a qualified individual of similar caliber who will meet the needs of the Muslim community," the foundation states. "A Muslim chaplain will fulfill this need."

The chaplain would be available to all, regardless of faith, providing counsel to young Muslims and helping Cornell to produce "Muslim and non-Muslim students who go out into the world more educated about and with a better understanding of Islam and Muslims," the foundation states.

Candidates for the position will be expected to have an accredited background in Islamic studies as well as campus ministry.

"There are a lot of people who identify themselves as Muslim culturally and religiously who would benefit from having a Muslim chaplain on campus, [as] a resource and a point person," said Fatima Iqbal '05, the foundation's treasurer. "In the past that responsibility has fallen on volunteer staff and faculty members."

Diwan's other directors are Jarra Fatima Jagne, D.V.M. '90, president; Jainal Bhuiyan '04, vice president; Shaan Rizvi '07, Law '11, secretary; and Nadeem Shafi '96, director-at-large, fundraising.

The foundation's advisory board has a variety of academic and religious credentials; members include Imam Abdullah Antepli, Muslim chaplain and adjunct professor at Duke University; and Dr. Saeed Bajwa, a Cornell parent.

"They come with a wide background of expertise, and they've been able to guide us," Iqbal said. "The university has been very supportive as well."

Information: http://www.thediwanfoundation.org.