April 5th, 2000- The Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences (GSISS) hosted a group of religious leaders from the Near East Asia on April 5th, 2000. The group was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of their "Religion In America" program. Religious leaders from Egypt, the West Bank, Syria, and United Arab Emirates participated in this group.

A productive discussion, led by President Taha Jabir Alalwani, was focused on Islam in America, and the role that GSISS plays in providing Muslim Chaplains, Imams, and community leaders for the growing Muslim ummah (community) in this country. Both the Master of Islamic Studies and the Master of Religious Practice degrees offered by the School were discussed, as well as the cooperation between GSISS and other American institutions. Considerable interest was shown in the School's extensive Arabic - English library collection.