An Interview with Aytug Izat on the Early Years of the American Islamic College

Date: July 26, 2025

Participants:

• Aytug Izat
• Prof. Dr. Alparslan Acikgenc
• Interviewer: Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Ozdemir

Introduction and General Atmosphere

On the evening of July 26, 2025, I conducted a Zoom interview with Mr. Aytug Izat to preserve key memories and historical reflections on the early years of the American Islamic College (AIC). We were joined by Prof. Dr. Alparslan Acikgenc, a longtime friend of Mr. Izat from their time in Chicago and a former student of the late Fazlur Rahman at the University of Chicago.

At Mr. Izat’s request, the interview was conducted in Turkish. The discussion ranged widely, beginning with his arrival in the U.S. and continuing through his involvement in establishing AIC. The following is a chronological summary of the topics discussed.

Arriving in America: First Impressions

Aytug Izat:
When we arrived in the United States, we came with a vision shaped by old advertisements and idealistic portrayals. We believed America to be the center of democracy, human rights, and respect for free will. In many ways, this was true—but it was also a chaotic and contradictory society, full of contradictions between its ideals and realities.

I traveled via Moscow and spent three days there with Alparslan Bey—you may recall. Before entering the U.S., we were thoroughly searched at the Moscow airport, and even my tourist souvenirs and photos were confiscated.

I spent my first night in New York, and it quickly became clear how dangerous the streets were and how unsafe ordinary people felt. I later learned—much to my shock—that in 1974, the city had approximately 60,000 police officers but an estimated 66,000 gang members.

We also faced the harsh reality of discrimination. Among the most unwanted groups in American society at the time were Turks and African Americans. Ironically, my research later revealed that Turkish Americans had a higher-than-average education and income level. In neighborhoods with large Turkish and Muslim populations, crime rates were remarkably low, and social problems like alcohol, drugs, gambling, and prostitution were nearly nonexistent. Despite this, dominant groups often sought to belittle Muslims and Turks—a contradiction that had a profound impact on me.

In response, I felt a strong calling to help raise awareness among Turkish and Muslim communities in America. In 1977, I co-founded the Muslim Lobby with Rahman Khan from Afghanistan. I even participated in the Republican Party Convention where Ronald Reagan was nominated, representing Muslim communities. This opened doors to communication with many political figures and Muslim leaders, including African American Muslims, the late Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and many others.

Chicago State University and Dr. Mohammad Abdul Waheed Fakhri

While working at Chicago State University, I met Dr. Mohammad Abdul Waheed Fakhri, a distinguished Pakistani educator and a profoundly committed intellectual. I was leading a federally funded project evaluating university academic programs at the time, and we quickly became close colleagues.

Dr. Fakhri introduced me to several Islamic organizations, beginning with ISNA (Islamic Society of North America). During a visit, I was unexpectedly elected president of the Muslim Educators’ Association, a sub-organization under ISNA.

Prof. Ozdemir:
You served as president?

Aytug Izat:
Not of ISNA itself, but of the Muslim Educators’ Association. It was a surprising election. Dr. Fakhri said, “There are divisions among the groups here. We have a Turkish brother among us, and Turks are known for being organized and disciplined. Let’s elect him as president.” And so, they did.

However, it wasn’t an easy task. Despite setting clear rules and drafting bylaws, implementation was poor. The organizational disarray bothered me deeply, and I eventually stepped down. Looking back, I see how much both ISNA and AIC have changed since those days.

Chicago Elections and Harold Washington

In 1983, I was teaching a Social Sciences and Research course at Chicago State University. That year’s local elections presented a unique opportunity for fieldwork. My students and I conducted surveys and analyzed voting trends.

The university’s vice president, Dr. Williams, was a close friend of Harold Washington, a Black Democratic mayoral candidate. He asked if we had any analysis on the race. I told him we did. We knew the Italian-American mafia had significant influence over Chicago politics, and although Washington had strong grassroots support, many doubted he could win.

I said, “There are 250,000 Muslim voters in Chicago who typically don’t participate. It could shift the outcome if Harold Washington can establish a direct connection with the Muslim community.”

We included Muslim voters in the campaign strategy and submitted sealed predictions. The final results nearly matched our forecast—Washington won with a margin of only 0.3%. Muslim support proved decisive.

Following this success, I was asked to establish and lead the Commission on International Relations in Chicago, a position I gladly accepted.

The Founding of American Islamic College

Initial efforts to establish the American Islamic College (AIC) had begun during this period. A building was to be purchased, and Dr. Mohammad Abdul Waheed Fakhri had been offered the position of Dean and Professor, which he accepted. He invited me to visit AIC with him. During that visit, they said, “Why don’t you join us too?” And I agreed.

I had some friends over for breakfast on the Sunday before our visit. The television was on, and suddenly Ismail al-Faruqi appeared on the screen, speaking on Islamic topics. His face radiated light, and his words were powerful.

We were captivated. My guests were equally mesmerized.

I remember thinking, “There are still such noble people in the world…”

A few days later, Dr. Fakhri and I attended an event where I met Ismail al-Faruqi in person. I had admired him from afar and meeting him in person left an even deeper impression.

He said, “In sha Allah, you will come here.”
I replied, “We’re already planning to.”
Only later did I find out it was actually al-Faruqi who had arranged for me to be invited.

Prof. Ozdemir: So, it was al-Faruqi who invited you to AIC?

Aytug Izat: Yes, absolutely. If I had met him in my youth, we might have clashed. In earlier years, he was quite doctrinaire—strongly Pan-Arabist and Pan-Islamist. But over time, his views evolved. He began advocating for interfaith dialogue, conveying Islam’s universal message with greater inclusivity.

What was most compelling about him was his presence. That one televised appearance sparked admiration for Islam across viewers—but sadly, he was never invited to speak on air again. And tragically, he and his wife were later murdered in their home.

Thus began my journey with AIC.

Soon after, we returned to Chicago, and with the Islamic Development Bank’s support, the AIC property was purchased.

The AIC Campus and the Founding Phase

Aytug Izat: Ibrahim Bey, had you seen the AIC buildings before?

Prof. Ozdemir: Yes, I visited in 1997 for a conference and had the opportunity to tour the campus.

Aytug Izat: The buildings were magnificent and had formerly been used as a Catholic convent school. They were acquired for $3.5 million under the condition to be used for educational purposes. Today, I believe the property would be valued at $15–20 million.

We removed Christian symbols—crosses and decorative plasterwork—with a Lebanese friend from the upper floors. During this process, we faced threats. Dead animals were thrown onto our cars, and we received intimidating letters.

It was not an easy time.

I rented an apartment on the 17th floor of a building across from the college. During this time, I met Dr. Ahmad Sakr, who served as AIC’s Secretary-General. He was a charismatic and persuasive leader. When I joined the faculty, I was given the roles of Registrar and Admissions Officer and became responsible for student financial aid.

But our work wasn’t confined to the office. We would travel by car to various universities and cities to promote AIC.

The early years were spent mainly on the road.

We hadn’t even begun admitting students when Harold Washington and Muhammad Ali visited AIC. We didn’t yet have functioning meeting halls or classrooms.

At that time, attracting students was a major challenge. We decided to offer free courses to all applicants.

Alhamdulillah, this approach brought in genuinely talented and committed students.

Internal Sincerity, External Criticism

We faced many curious incidents. Internally, we had decided to take turns leading Friday and daily prayers. One day, it was my turn. As I stepped forward, someone from the back objected: “You shouldn’t lead; you don’t have a beard!”

Someone else stepped forward and led the prayer instead. In that moment, I thought: Faith resides in the heart, yet some people judge solely based on outward appearance. They condemn without understanding.

There were also some somewhat naive attitudes at times.

The call to prayer was usually made by administrators or faculty members, based on the prayer times for the Chicago longitude. When new students heard the adhan during class, they would leave immediately and head to prayer without even asking the professor for permission.

Getting them to understand that disrupting a class was inappropriate and that the prayer could still be performed within its designated time window was quite a challenge.

In addition, some students considered eating at a desk “against the Sunnah” and insisted that meals should be eaten on the floor. We had to deal with those issues as well.

Over time, things became more balanced. However, before I left, I began to suspect that some students or staff had outside affiliations. It felt like they had been placed at AIC with a particular agenda.

That marked a serious turning point.

Meeting T. B. Irving: Scholar of Language and the Quran

One of the most influential people I met in those years was Professor T. B. Irving. Originally from Canada, he converted to Islam at age 19. He spoke more than 15 languages fluently and was a brilliant intellect.

While traveling in Latin America—perhaps Mexico—he once heard an epic poem, and by the time he returned, he had transformed it into verse and submitted it to a publisher.

He was meticulous about English and Arabic.

He had reviewed nearly 45 English translations of the Quran and criticized their use of Christian terms that distorted the Quranic message. His translation used accessible American English and was preceded by a detailed introduction explaining his method.

His analysis of the word “submission” still resonates with me. In Christianity, it often implies passive surrender, whereas in Islam, it signifies a conscious, voluntary orientation of the heart. He taught us the profound significance of linguistic nuance.

Institutional Challenges

Some colleagues tried to impose their cultural habits as if they were Islamic traditions. I would push back: “That’s your culture, not Islam.”

We had to focus on substance, not form.

Converts like T. B. Irving often grasped the essence of Islam better than those born into the faith.

Support from Mayor Harold Washington

One vital but often forgotten figure in AIC’s early success was Harold Washington, the first African-American mayor of Chicago. He supported AIC in accreditation and official procedures. Sadly, that relationship later deteriorated, perhaps due to mutual misunderstandings. Nevertheless, his support was critical.

History should remember that had Harold Washington not sought Muslim support, he likely would not have won the election.

Al-Faruqi’s Vision for AIC

Prof. Ozdemir: What was al-Faruqi’s vision for AIC?

Aytug Izat: It was crystal clear. He wanted an institution that could intellectually represent Islam—not just in theology, but also in the social sciences and the arts. He envisioned a Muslim university that could sit at the academic table alongside leading Western institutions—a bridge between the Muslim world and America, grounded in scholarship and ethics.

Lost Archives and Photographs

AIC once had many historic photographs—Harold Washington, Elijah Muhammad’s son Warith Deen Mohammed, Muhammad Ali, Dr. Ahmad Sakr, and I all in one frame. That photo was enlarged and displayed, but one day it vanished, as did many documents, archives, and memories.

Prime Minister Turgut Ozal’s Visit to AIC (1986)

In 1986, Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal visited AIC during an official trip to the U.S. I joined the last-minute delegation upon Hasan Celal Guzel’s invitation. AIC was not initially on the itinerary. I briefed Ozal on the plane, and the visit was added.

Though brief—only 30 minutes—Ozal was impressed. He said, “Let’s support this institution,” and instructed his staff accordingly. Sadly, most photos taken that day were later lost—at least those in my possession.

Al-Faruqi’s Silent Vision and Lost Manuscript

Al-Faruqi was not a man of many words. Our conversations were usually brief, over breakfast or lunch. He believed interfaith dialogue was an ontological necessity.

“Each religion ascends the same mountain from a different side,” he would say.

Tragically, the manuscript in which he expressed these views vanished after his assassination—perhaps intentionally taken by his killer.

The Mission of Education: Cultivating Virtuous Individuals

Islam calls us to read, record, live ethically, share beauty, and be grateful.

It urges a harmony of knowledge, wisdom, and virtue—not mere form, but moral substance. Education and governance aim to cultivate ethical individuals and leaders who recognize that even animals and plants are part of our moral community.

Dr. Fakhri: The Quiet Founder

Dr. Abdul Waheed Fakhri was a perfectionist, dignified, and preferred to stay behind the scenes. In truth, he was the principal founder of AIC, both academically and administratively. He was responsible for at least 90% of the academic infrastructure.

Patient, visionary, and an exceptional communicator.

Remembering as a Responsibility

Many in today’s AIC leadership may not know this history. But remembering is not only a duty to the past—it is a legacy for the future.

May God bless all who contributed.
May He grant peace and wisdom to those still among us.

Final Note:

This interview offers a vital window into the early years of AIC, highlighting the sacrifices, testimonies, and contributions of Aytug Izat within a larger historical context. At its heart stands the visionary leadership of Ismail al-Faruqi, the dedication of Dr. Fakhri, and the rising consciousness of the American Muslim community amid political and cultural challenges.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Aytug Izat and Prof. Dr. Alparslan Acikgenc for this invaluable conversation. As I begin a new chapter in my life and leadership at AIC, their wisdom and support are deeply needed and appreciated.

Let us always remember and honor those who laid the foundation of this noble institution in the spirit of the timeless wisdom of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, who said:

إِنَّ الدَّالَّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِه ‏

“Whoever leads to good, he is like the one who does it.” (at-Tirmidhi 2670)

About Aytug Izat

Mr. Aytug Izat was born in 1943 in Elazig, Turkiye, and grew up in the village of Yurtbasi. From an early age, Aytug Bey was inspired by one guiding principle: to help others truly, one must first gain deep knowledge and then pass it on. This conviction led him to pursue a life devoted to education.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in special education and educational psychology from Ankara University and a Master’s in Curriculum Development and Evaluation from Hacettepe University.

In 1974, he traveled to the United States to pursue doctoral studies in Comparative Education at the University of Chicago. During this time, he also served as a research assistant and taught courses at the University of Chicago and Chicago State University. He was the Registrar and Admissions Officer of AIC.

Upon returning to Turkiye in 1984, he worked at the State Planning Organization under the Prime Ministry, serving within the Education Group. He later joined Hacettepe University as Assistant to the Director, contributing to academic administration and program development.

From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Izat served as Deputy Undersecretary at the Ministry of Culture, where he played a key role in shaping national cultural and educational policies.

Since retiring, he has made his home in Izmir, continuing to share his knowledge and experiences through writing, mentorship, and community engagement.