The Rumi Forum hosted Dialogue and a Movie “Hajj: a Journey of the Soul” with Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University & Featuring the film: National Geographic’s ‘Inside Mecca’.

Imam Yahya Hendi is the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University, the first American University to hire a full-time Muslim chaplain. Imam Hendi is also the Imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick, and is the Muslim Chaplain at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He also serves as a member and the spokesperson of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America. He serves as adjunct faculty member For John Hopkins University, Office of professional development, and the Fordham University.

Mr. Hendi Academic education in his Master’s and PhD education are in comparative religions with focus on Christianity and Judaism.

He has written numerous publications on many topics, including women in Islam, women and gender relations in Islam, the coming of the Messiah, Islam and biomedical ethics and religion and Islam in the United States. A sought-after speaker, Imam Hendi has presented a multitude of interfaith and general lectures in the USA, Asia, Europe, central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East over the past eight years and he has been to more than 80 countries and 4o US states for conferences. Mr. Hendi was one of the Muslim leaders who met with the President of the United States in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy. Imam Hendi also met the President of the United States many times after September 11th. Imam Hendi often visits and lectures at churches and synagogues hoping to create a new positive relationship between the followers of the three Abrahamic religions. Imam Hendi focuses on issues related to gender relations, world peace, political justice and inter-religious and interfaith issues

Imam Hendi appeared on many national and international television and Radio shows as an expert on Islam and Muslims (i.e. CNN, ABC, MSNBC and al-jazeerah).

Mr. Hendi serves on national and international interfaith councils. In May 2002, Imam Hendi was chosen by Hartford Seminary to receive its annual “James Gettemy Significant Ministry Award” for his dedication to his Ministry and for his work to promote peace building between people of different religions.

Imam Yahya Hendi believes that only with love and education can the world be a better place to live in. Imam Hendi speaks about three principles that must guide the world: Politics of Justice; Economics of equity and covenant of community.

National Geographic’s Inside Mecca produced by Anisa Mehdi, presents the most intimate and three-dimensional documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and sheds light on the universal principles of Islam during the days of the Hajj. Learn the historical significance of the city to Muslim and non-Muslim populations alike. And, experience the epic journey of a lifetime, the Hajj, as we witness the personal stories of the pilgrims and the mental preparation, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their life-altering pilgrimage of faith.