The University has hired a new Muslim chaplain, who said he is committed to promoting interfaith dialogue and educating the community about Islam.Imam Talal Eid, who emigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1982, was officially introduced to the community along with newly hired Catholic chaplain Father Walter Cuenin at a reception last Tuesday in the Shapiro Campus Center.

"The job at Brandeis attracted me because of its nature," Eid said. "This is a Jewish institution. There are Muslim students [here]. These students need to be served."

Eid fills a position left vacant during Spring 2005 when Qumar-ul Hud, who served as adviser to the Muslim Students Association and as an adjunct assistant professor in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, left for a position in Washington.

Eid is also the director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Institute in Boston, which he founded, and serves as the Muslim chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Jewish chaplain Rabbi Allan Lehmann, Protestant chaplain Rev. Alice Brown-Collins, Prof. Kecia Ali (NEJS), Prof. Mark Brettler (ANTH), members of the Muslim Student Association and others served on the committee chaired by Assistant Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams.

"The ideal candidate had to be someone who was well-versed in Islam," Adams said. "We also wanted a minimum of a master's degree, and he had to have some experience working with students and the community. He should also have experience in interfaith activities."

Eid said he hopes to combat bias against Islam and promote mutual understanding.

"We may have students who are biased to Islam or Muslims. Our job is to introduce activities that can bring us together rather than further divide us. I'm hoping that my presence at Brandeis will make a difference," he said.

Eid said he plans to hold a regular evening class on Quranic science open to the entire community and to speak at interfaith events, including one later this month featuring Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald of Rome that is co-sponsored by Brandeis and Boston College.

"Most of the time when I give presentations about Islam, I am approached by people who tell me, 'Now we have a better understanding of Islam,'" Eid said.

One of Eid's greatest concerns as a self-professed "man of peace" is the peace process in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"Whether we agree or disagree to support the peace process, the only way to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict is through peaceful means. We should all renounce violence. I think we will be able to do it; just we need to have some sincerity in dealing with one another," he said.

Eid, who said he calls on humanity to abandon violence, said he opposes the University turning into a battleground. "Students should always engage themselves in dialogue," he said.

Since bringing peace to the Middle East is a challenge to say the least, Eid has much simpler but no less meaningful everyday goals, both for his work at Brandeis and in the community at large.

"What keeps me attached to my work here is that I see myself many times as a person who is able to make a difference in the lives of people I deal with," he said, including both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Eid works as a consultant in Boston's Muslim community, in issues of marriage, marital dispute, divorce and child custody for Muslim-Americans. He also performs funerals through his position at the Islamic Institute.

Prior to his position at the Islamic Institute in Boston, he worked as the imam and religious director at the Islamic Center of New England since 1982.

Eid earned a master's degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School in 1991 and earned his doctorate in theology in 2005, also at Harvard.

He served as the Muslim chaplain at Tufts University from 1993 to 1996 and was a Muslim chaplain at Boston Children's Hospital for 16 years.

Before coming to the United States, Eid served as the imam of the Al-N'sir mosque in Tripoli, Lebanon. He earned his undergraduate degree at Al-Azhar University in Cairo in 1974 and was appointed to the Muslim World League, an international Islamic nongovernmental organization, in 1982.

Three male and three female candidates were referred to the committee, Adams said. After conducting telephone interviews, all three female candidates withdrew themselves from consideration for personal reasons, and one of the male candidates was eliminated. The two remaining candidates were then invited to campus before Eid was chosen.

"We were very fortunate how it all turned out," Adams said. "I think we have one of the best Islamic scholars. Imam Eid is just really renowned. That was just icing on the cake."

Adams said input from students was very important in the decision-making process.

MSA Treasurer Laila Khan '08, who said she is a non-practicing Muslim, heard Eid speak during his campus visit and said he was impressed with his tolerance of different beliefs.

In particular, Khan said she was happy to hear that Eid accepts Muslims who believe the Quran permits homosexuality.

Khan also said Muslims who practice more strictly seem pleased with Eid's appointment.