Founded in 2011 within the Claremont School of Theology (CST), Bayan Islamic Graduate School originated from a desire to diversify theological education and accommodate multiple faith traditions authentically. Spearheaded by Jihad Turk, president and founder, and with support from the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) and key community members, Bayan emerged as an accredited institution offering graduate-level Islamic Studies. Partnering first with CST and later with the Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), Bayan emphasizes collaborative education within a multi-religious, multi-ethnic framework. With a focus on training Muslim leaders across various fields, Bayan's flexible Executive Master’s format caters to working professionals through a combination of intensive in-person sessions and online coursework, facilitating accessibility and promoting diversity in American Muslim scholarship and leadership.