» Muslim Students

We hope you will use the resources here to connect with your fellow students and the larger Muslim community and make the most of your Chapman experience!

Welcome from Shaykh Jibreel Speight, Chapman’s Muslim Life Director

As Chapman University’s Director of Muslim Life, my mission is to establish a support system that caters to the needs of every Muslim student, fostering a constructive and enriching college journey.

To accomplish this, I oversee the organization of religious, educational, and social events that cater to the entire Muslim community on campus. Details about these resources and activities can be found right here on this page.

Should you ever need any guidance or support, please feel free to contact me at jspeight@chapman.edu.

Chapman student clubs and organizations

Click the link to learn more and get contact information.

• Muslim Student Association: A place where Muslims and those interested in Islam can ask questions, share experiences, and form friendships in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
  • Follow MSA on Instagram.
• Students for the Justice of Palestine: Provides a space where students can learn, discuss, and debate their views on various aspects of Palestinian politics and society.
  • Follow Students for the Justice of Palestine on Instagram.

Students can also learn about and join clubs in-person at the Student Involvement Fair, which takes place once every semester.

Muslim holidays and traditions

At Chapman, you have a welcoming place to join in religious, social, and cultural programming regularly, including these major Muslim observances and celebrations:

• Jumu'ah Prayers: A special sermon and prayer that occurs every Friday. Held in the Wilkinson Founders Chapel in the Fish Interfaith Center from 1-2 p.m.
  • The chapel will be closed during holidays. When the chapel is closed on Fridays, you can visit one of the local mosques.
• Ramadan: Chapman hosts a “Welcome Ramadan” ceremony in the Attallah Piazza, and the Caf has special Ramadan meals for Muslim students with meal plans. The Fish Interfaith Center also hosts four Iftar meals as well as an “Eid” event to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
  • For questions or more information, contact Shaykh Jibreel Speight at jspeight@chapman.edu.

Resources for prayer 

As a Muslim student, you have the opportunity to engage in prayer in a designated and comfortable area at your convenience:

• Prayer/Meditation Room: (Orange Campus) Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Located in Fish Interfaith Center for students to pray or to meditate with meditation cushions, prayer rugs, and a wudu/washing station.
• Wellness/Reflection/Prayer Room: (Rinker Campus in Irvine) Located on the second floor for students to use as needed for spiritual and meditation practices. The adjacent wellness room provides a multipurpose space for facilitated group yoga and mindfulness classes as well as open hours for everyone to decompress from class and work.

Academic opportunities

At Chapman, we support academic endeavors both at home and abroad. These include:

• The Vision of Islam FFC Course (Taught by Shaykh Speight). Gain a comprehensive understanding of Islam as a religion, its history, core beliefs, practices, cultural impact, and various interpretations. Students can take this course during their first year to fulfill their First-year Focus GE requirement.
• Study abroad opportunities: Chapman undergraduate students can choose to go abroad for a semester, a full year, or a travel course, which is shorter and held over the winter or summer terms.
  • Of Chapman’s available programs, studying in Spain can provide unique value in learning more about Muslim history.
  • You can find more details about study abroad opportunities on the Religious Support Abroad page.
  • For questions about traveling abroad as a Muslim student, contact Shaykh Jibreel at speight@chapman.edu.

The religious accommodations policy on Chapman course syllabi ensures that all students have the right to utilize certain religious accommodations, allowing you to modify your schedule in accordance with religious observances.

Muslim life in Southern California

The surrounding area of Chapman, along with the broader Southern California region, is a place where you have the opportunity to fortify and grow as an individual practicing the Muslim faith.

Places of worship

Within Orange County and the broader Southern California region, numerous Muslim centers and mosques can be found around Chapman, including:

• Islamic Institute of Orange County - Anaheim (6 miles from Orange Campus)
• Islamic Society of Orange County - Garden Grove (8 miles from Orange Campus)
• Islamic Center of Irvine (5 miles from Rinker Campus. 10 miles from Orange Campus)
• Islamic Center of Santa Ana (5 miles from Orange Campus)

Local halal food

There are several off-campus sources of halal food near our Orange Campus:

• Crispy Fried Chicken (1 mile from Orange Campus)
• Gourmet Burger (2 miles from Orange Campus)
• Doner G (2 miles from Orange Campus)
• Ma’s Islamic Restaurant (8 miles from Orange Campus)
• Altayebat Market (8 miles from Orange Campus)
• Nomads Asian Bistro (15 miles from Orange Campus)
• Orange Grove Market Halal Meat (15 miles from Orange Campus)

Outside scholarships for Muslim applicants

Visit the Muslim Applicants page for more details about scholarships designed specifically for Muslim students, along with a list of options that can help financially support your college education.

Teachings by Shaykh Jibreel Speight

Shaykh Jibreel can help you learn more about the traditions and history of Muslim culture:

Fasting

Listen to Shaykh Jibreel's reflection on the practice of fasting on Fish Interfaith’s SoundCloud.

Blog posts

• Shaykh Jibreel’s Ramadan 2023 blog post: Learn about the significant aspects of Ramadan and how to practice yourself. 
• You can see more posts from Shaykh Jibreel here.