Alpha Lambda Mu

{{Short description|American Muslim collegiate fraternity}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox Fraternity | name = Alpha Lambda Mu | letters = {{lang|grc|ΑΛΜ}}<br>{{lang|ar|ألم}} | crest = Alpha_Lambda_Mu_crest.png | founded = {{start date and age|February 12, 2013}} | birthplace = University of Texas at Dallas | affiliation = Independent | status = Active | type = Social fraternity | emphasis = Islam | scope = National | mission = | chapters = 6 active, 11 chartered | colonies = 1 | colors = {{color box|#800000}} Maroon, {{color box|#FFD700}} Gold, and {{color box|#FFFFFF}} White | address = | state = Texas | city = Richardson | country = United States | ZIP code = 75081 | homepage = {{URL|alphalambdamu.org/}} }}

'''Alpha Lambda Mu''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΑΛΜ}}''') ('''{{lang|ar|ألم}}''': Alif Laam Meem in Arabic) is the first national Muslim fraternity in America.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Kyle |date=February 6, 2014 |title=Fraternity Life, Islamic Style |pages=22 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/education/edlife/greek-life-islamic-style.html?_r=1}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=March 8, 2014 |title=A Frat Of Their Own: Muslims Create A New Space On Campus |work=NPR National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/03/08/284380008/a-frat-of-their-own-muslims-create-a-new-space-on-campus |access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> It was established in 2013 at the University of Texas at Dallas as a social fraternity with an emphasis on community service.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Wenerd |first=Brandon |date=September 17, 2013 |title=An Interview with the Founder of Alpha Lambda Mu, America's First Muslim Fraternity (Ali Mahmoud) |url=http://brobible.com/college/article/interview-founder-first-muslim-fraternity/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |work=BroBible}}</ref>

== History == Ali Mahmoud founded Alpha Lambda Mu at the University of Texas at Dallas in February 2013.<ref name="NYT" /> At the time Mahmoud was a nineteen-year-old junior; he is also a first-generation Egyptian-American.<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Eun Kyung |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Fraternity paves 'new path for Muslims on campus' |url=http://www.today.com/news/fraternity-paves-new-path-muslims-campus-8C11144930 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Today (NBC) |language=en}}</ref> Mahmoud created Alpha Lambda Mu as a social fraternity "to offer Muslim students the chance to express both sides of their identity, the American and the Muslim"<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":2" /> Araf Hossain was the fraternity's co-founder.<ref name=":2" />

Mahmoud and Hossain formed a council with other interested Muslims.<ref name=":2" /> On February 13, 2013, the council sent invitations to students they believed would be interested in joining the new fraternity.<ref name=":2" /> Later that month, seventeen members were admitted with a ceremony that included being knighted with a red kufi cap and donating a $100 initiation fee to a charity.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hafiz |first=Yasmine |date=2013-09-05 |title=Meet Alif Laam Meem, America's First Muslim Fraternity, AKA Alpha Lambda Mu |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alif-laam-meem-america-first-muslim-fraternity_n_3865722 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Huffington Post |language=en}}</ref> Collectively, these seventeen members were called the Kufi Krew.<ref name=":3" /> Its first rush was held in September 2013; forty men rushed the fraternity and twenty were offered bids.<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Broderick |first=Ryan |date=September 6, 2013 |title=10 Things You Might Not Know About America's First Muslim Fraternity |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/things-you-might-not-know-about-americas-first-muslim-fra |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}}</ref>

The fraternity became national in 2014 with the addition of Beta chapter at the University of California, San Diego and Gamma chapter at Cornell University.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Rumzi Khan was the founder of the Beta chapter''.<ref name="NYT" />'' As it expanded, the fraternity was somewhat controversial; Mahmoud noted, "We’ve gotten fire from the Islamaphobes saying that we’re a sleeper cell, we’ve gotten fire from the super-progressive Muslims saying that we’re rooted in a white elitist organization that’s trying to take control of Islam and put on misogynistic ideals again."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Boyd |first=Clark |date=September 16, 2013 |title=Life at Alpha Lambda Mu: America's First All-Muslim Fraternity |url=https://theworld.org/stories/2013-09-16/life-alpha-lambda-mu-americas-first-all-muslim-fraternity |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=The World}}</ref>

As of fall 2020, the fraternity has six active chapters and two colonies. On some campuses, the fraternity is a member of the Interfraternity Council.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Alpert |first=Bruce |date=June 5, 2017 |title=Muslim Fraternities Finding Place on US Campuses |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/muslim-fraternities-finding-place-us-campuses/3888632.html |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Voice of America (VOA) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Italia |first=Eric |date=2017-05-23 |title=Alpha Lambda Mu: Cornell IFC Welcomes First Muslim-Interest Fraternity |url=https://coed.com/2017/05/23/cornell-university-ifc-welcomes-schools-first-muslim-interest-fraternity/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=COED |language=en-US}}</ref> The fraternity is governed by its National Shura; it also has an advisory board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governance |url=https://www.alphalambdamu.org/about/governance |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Alpha Lambda Mu |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Symbols == The fraternity's Greek letters {{lang|grc|ΑΛΜ}} are the phonetic equivalent of Alif Laam Meem, three Arabic letters that start chapters of the Quran.<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Its members wear a red kufi cap.<ref name=":3" /> The fraternity's badge is a silver Sandala pin that features its logo. The colors are Maroon, Gold and White.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fsl.wisc.edu/staff/theta-chapter-alpha-lambda-mu/ | title=– Theta Chapter, Alpha Lambda Mu | date=8 May 2024}}</ref>

== Membership == Its members are Muslim or non-Muslims who share the same ideas, regardless of sexual orientation.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> Its members come from a variety of backgrounds including American, Egyptian, Arab, Somalian, Pakistani, and Bengali.<ref name=":2" />

== Activities == thumb|Fraternity members at a Dallas protest against domestic violence in March 2013.

Because of its affiliation with Islam, Alpha Lambda Mu is atypical of most social collegiate Greek letter organizations; it prohibits alcohol, hazing, most co-ed events, adultery, or fornication.<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":7" /> Some of its activities incorporate an imam for lectures and prayers.<ref name="NYT" /> Its service activities include picking up litter, distributing water to the homeless, and a nationwide campaign raising funds and combating domestic violence.<ref name="NYT" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Spahalic |first=Hedija |date=October 14, 2022 |title=First Muslim Frat: Alpha Lambda Mu and The Meaning of Brotherhood |url=https://americanmuslimtoday.com/details/undefined |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=American Muslim Today}}</ref> The ''Alpha chapter'' has provided food and supplies after a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas and helped clean up after tornados in Moore, Oklahoma.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />

The fraternity has taken a position "against domestic violence, fair trade violations, or any other form of oppression."<ref name=":2" /> It hosts a four-day Akhtober event that benefits local shelters and transitional homes for women.<ref name=":8" /> On March 24, 2013, ''Alpha chapter'' confronted negative stereotypes of Muslim Men when they joined a protest against domestic violence in Dallas, Texas.<ref name=":7">{{cite news |author=Emily Deruy |date=April 8, 2013 |title=Muslim Fraternity Confronts Negative Stereotypes |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/muslim-fraternity-confronts-negative-stereotypes/story?id=18906879 |access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> Photos of fraternity members carrying signs that read, "Muslims Say No to Domestic Violence" and "Muslims Say Yes to Women's Rights" went viral on the Internet and was covered by national news.<ref name=":7" />

The Alpha Lambda Mu Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 charity in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Lambda Mu Foundation {{!}} Charity Navigator Profile |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/842993462 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=www.charitynavigator.org}}</ref>

==Chapters== Following is a list of Alpha Lambda Mu chapters. Active chapters are indicated in '''bold'''. Inactive chapters are indicated in ''italics''. {{sticky-header}} {| class="wikitable sticky-header sortable" style="width:100%;" !Chapter !Charter date and range !Institution !Location !Status !{{Refh}} |- |'''Grand Alpha''' |{{dts|February 13, 2013}} |University of Texas at Dallas |Dallas, Texas |Active |<ref name=":0">{{cite Almanac FS|section=men|subsection=A|organization=Alpha Lambda Mu|date=December 3, 2022|access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Current Chapters |url=https://www.alphalambdamu.org/current-chapters |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Alpha Lambda Mu |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Beta''' |2014 |University of California, San Diego |San Diego, California |Active |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> |- |''Gamma'' |2014–20xx ? |Cornell University |Ithaca, New York |Inactive |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Delta'' |{{dts|2015|format=hide}}201x ?–20xx ? |San Diego State University |San Diego, California |Inactive |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Epsilon'' |{{dts|2015|format=hide}}201x–20xx ? |University of Texas at Arlington |Arlington, California |Inactive |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Zeta'' |{{dts|2016}}–20xx ? |Pennsylvania State University |University Park, Pennsylvania |Inactive |<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''Eta''' |{{dts|2017|format=hide}}201x ? |University of Toledo |Toledo, Ohio |Active |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> |- |'''Theta''' |{{dts|2019}} |University of Wisconsin–Madison |Madison, Wisconsin |Active |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-03-05 |title=Muslim Fraternity at UW-Madison builds brotherhood and character |url=https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/muslim-fraternity-at-uw-madison-builds-brotherhood-and-character/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Wisconsin Muslim Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |''Iota'' |{{dts|2020}}–202x ? |Texas Tech University |Lubbock, Texas |Inactive |<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''Kappa''' |{{dts|2020}} |University of Texas at Austin |Austin, Texas |Active |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> |- |'''Lambda''' |{{dts|2021}} |Arizona State University |Tempe, Arizona |Active |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9" /> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2017}}–20xx ? |University of California, Los Angeles |Los Angeles, California |Inactive ? |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2017}}–20xx ? |East Carolina University |Greenville, North Carolina |Inactive ? |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2017}}–20xx ? |University of California, Irvine |Irvine, California |Inactive ? |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2017}}–20xx ? |Miami University |Oxford, Ohio |Inactive ? |<ref name=":0" /> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2017}}–20xx ? |University of Oklahoma |Norman, Oklahoma |Inactive ? |<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 University of Oklahoma Fraternity & Sorority Experience Guide by University of Oklahoma Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/oufsps/docs/fssl-experience-guide-2018 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=issuu.com |date=5 July 2018 |page=10 |language=en}}</ref> |- |''Colony'' |{{dts|2018|format=hide}}20xx ?–20xx ? |San Jose State University |San Jose, California |Inactive |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Student Org Conduct {{!}} Student Involvement |url=https://www.sjsu.edu/getinvolved/student-orgs/org-conduct.php |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=www.sjsu.edu}}</ref>{{Efn|This chapter was suspended or never recognized by San José State University or its national office for hazing, violence, or inappropriate chapter management practices.}} |- |'''Colony''' |{{dts|2023}} |Ohio State University |Columbus, Ohio |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Lambda Mu at Ohio State : Find a Student Organization: Student Activities |url=https://activities.osu.edu/involvement/student_organizations/find_a_student_org/?i=0d2f860f-0606-43a4-bd6d-692499a9477e&v=card&c=Columbus&page=0&m=Religious/Spiritual |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=activities.osu.edu}}</ref> |}

==Popular culture== In June 2022. Dylan Hollingsworth (videographer) and Wheeler Sparks (director) released ''Kufi Krew: An American Story'', a documentary about the fraternity.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=Dallas filmmakers chronicle America's first Muslim fraternity in new documentary |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/movies/2022/08/24/dallas-filmmakers-chronicle-americas-first-muslim-fraternity-in-new-documentary/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref> The documentary's name refers to a former YouTube channel where fraternity brother's posted humorous videos.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> The film's creators, who are not members of the fraternity, started working on the project in 2013.<ref name=":8" /> Hollingsworth said, "We knew that this community was a really powerful vehicle through which you could examine the Muslim American identity and maybe answer some questions for people who really don’t know a lot about that."<ref name=":8" />

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States Category:Islamic organizations based in the United States Category:Student organizations established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in Texas Category:American Muslims