Georgetown University was the first university in America to hire a full-time Muslim chaplain.

The man they hired in 1999 is Imam Yahya Hendi.

"Muslims in America are very frustrated with the way Islam has been portrayed. Muslims do not see Islam as a religion of violence. On the contrary, Muslims believe Islam is a religion of peace that teaches forgiveness and love," Hendi said in a 2002 interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly.

"We are misunderstood, and therefore, the challenge has been how we can reintroduce ourselves in a language that is familiar with our fellow American neighbors."

Hendi will be one of two members of Georgetown's Islamic community who will participate in the April 19 symposium on "What it Means to be Muslim in America."

Hendi, a U.S. citizen who was born in Palestine, speaks fluent Arabic and Hebrew. He is imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick, Md., and the Muslim Chaplain at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Islamic law and theology from the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. He holds two Master's degrees, including one in comparative religion from Hartford (Conn.) Seminary. He is a doctoral candidate in comparative religion program at Temple University, Philadelphia.

Hendi has spoken about Islam and its relations with the West all over the world. He was one of the Muslim leaders who met with President Bush in the aftermath of 9/11.