Welcome to the Duke Center for Muslim Life!
The Duke Center for Muslim Life (CML) is a department within the Division of Duke Student Affairs and constitutes one of the most robust Muslim Life programs in higher education in the United States. When the CML first opened its doors in 2009, Duke University was one of only four universities to have a paid, full-time Muslim chaplain. Now, through the combined efforts of our staff, which includes an Office Coordinator, Student Development Coordinator, Muslim Chaplain, and Program Associate, the CML strives to attend to the needs of the diverse community of Muslim students at Duke and create a space where Muslims from marginalized communities feel welcome and are cared for. In other words, we are a home away from home for all Muslim students, staff, faculty, and community members.
The CML provides a welcoming environment for students to explore Muslim identity, celebrate Muslim and Islamic cultures, build community, and engage with Islam in spiritual, social, and intellectual ways. We do this through religious, cultural, academic, and social programming throughout the year, mentorship, student leadership development, and more. Check out our Programs page to learn more about our initiatives or look on Duke Groups or the Duke CML Instagram for information on upcoming events.
Heading to Duke for a visit and interested in visiting the Center for Muslim Life or connecting with a current Muslim Student? Email our Muslim Chaplain, Joshua Salaam or schedule an appointment with him here.
Welcome New Students and Families!
We are so excited that you have decided to join our Muslim community at Duke University.
Each year, we welcome new students with particular programming, mentorship, and support. Join the CML for our annual Welcome Back Barbeque during O-Week where new students can bring their families and meet returning students, families, staff, and faculty. We’ll have food, carnival games, and more! Check out some photos from past BBQs below!
We also have a special O-Week Jumu’ah service and other opportunities to connect with CML staff and the Duke Muslim community. Stay tuned on Duke Groups and the CML Instagram for information about 2023-2024.
Check out our Muslim Life Blue Book!
Halal Dining on Campus
Most chicken at Marketplace is halal (signs will confirm which chicken is halal)
Yalla Food Truck: located at the Duke Wellness Center parking lot
ALL CHICKEN at the following locations is zabihah halal with the exception of boneless wings and chicken tenders.
- Gothic Grill at Bryan Center (all beef is also halal)
- Il Forno
- Sazon
- Tandoor (all beef is also halal)
- JB’s
- Skillet
- Devil’s Krafthouse
- Pitchfork Provisions
- Saladelia (at the Perk, Nasher Museum, & Sanford)
- Farmstead: burger sliders (no halal chicken)
Thrive: all chicken and beef is halal except for any boneless wings and chicken tenders
Beyu Caffe @ Duke Law School: all chicken is halal except for any boneless wings and chicken tenders
Nasher Café: all chicken is halal except for any boneless wings and chicken tenders
Devil’s Pizzeria: 742 9th St, Durham, NC. (919) 286-3090
Golden Pizza and Subs: 200 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC. (919) 402-0404
Halal Haven Food Truck: Cary, North Carolina. (919) 659 5786
Mediterra Grill: 2608 Erwin Rd, Suite 136, Durham, NC. (919) 386-0066
Mediterranean Deli: 410 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC. (919) 967-2666
Philly Steak Factory: 5410 New Hope Commons Dr, Durham, NC. (919) 490-9753
Quick Meal: 1106 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 908-8377
Taiba Market: 1008 West Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC. (919) 688-7000
Student Organizations
Center for Muslim Life currently serves as the advisor for the Muslim Student Organization and the Graduate MSA and supports organizations like the Jummah 4 All Collective.
If you are interested in forming a student group in consultation with CML, contact the interim student development coordinator, Hadeel Hamoud.
The Duke Muslim Student Association aims to represent Muslim students, celebrate and showcase the diversity of our community, and foster campus- and community-wide engagement with the Islamic world and beyond. The MSA plans religious, social, political, and cultural activities to strengthen connections between faith and daily life. The MSA also provides social outlets for members and nonmembers alike to hang out and build valuable relationships. In addition, the MSA is a resource for all who are interested in learning more about Islam and the Muslim world. We welcome all!
To find out more, please join our mailing list for weekly newsletters. Please email dukemsaexec@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Every Friday night, the MSA gathers to socialize, play games, or just relax. These gatherings are open to all. Please check the newsletter or Whatsapp for the latest details!
Executive Board Meetings
Every Saturday morning, the executive board meets to discuss MSA matters and plan events. All are welcome to attend and join the conversation. Please reach out to us for the most recent details!
J4A seeks to create a queer-affirming, anti-racist, and gender inclusive Muslim prayer space. We prioritize diverse engagement with Friday Prayer (Jummah) and focus on including all participants, regardless of background, identity, or ability. We do this by upholding our community guidelines, uplifting the voices of our participants equitably, and welcoming engagement and participation groups that are historically marginalized in Muslim prayer spaces.
For more info about J4A and how to get involved, follow us on Instagram.
The GMSA connects all Graduate Muslim students at Duke together in order to provide a supportive, community-based refuge and a hub for fostering discussions, concerns, and interactions among Muslim students from different schools, cultures, and countries.
The Duke Graduate Muslim Students Association puts on social, academic, and spiritual events with the purpose of community building among Muslim-identifying graduate and professional students at Duke University. Our past events have included brunches, hikes, "mocktail" nights, ice skating, picnics, movie nights, and more!
For any questions or learn more about how to get involved, contact jaelyn.nixon@duke.edu.
The mission of BMCo is to facilitate involvement and provide representation for Black Muslim students and their interests on Duke's campus and in the Durham community in addition to celebrating the Islamic faith and the various cultures associated with it. Duke BMCo seeks to accomplish this mission by fostering a tolerant, vibrant, and diverse community that will provide forums for discussing
the realities of Black Muslims on Duke's campus and worldwide, facilitate ritual observances and spiritual practices of Black Muslim students, organize cultural events to celebrate Islam and Black Muslim students' experiences, and actively engage the surrounding communities through education and civil service.
BMCo's history is rooted in Black Muslim Talkspace, which has been organized in coordination with Center for Muslim Life staff and Duke students for more than two years from 2019-2021.