In 2024, these excursions included Iran, Egypt, Morocco, Vietnam/Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Southern Spain, Turkey, and The Gambia & Senegal.

Bayan was established in 2011 through a collaboration with the Claremont School of Theology (CST) and the Islamic Center of Southern California with the purpose of preparing spiritual and religious leaders (such as pastors, priests, imams, and chaplains) who learn in an inter-religious environment.

In 2017, with the blessing of Muhammad Ali's family, Bayan launched a full-tuition scholarship for students who are working as leaders in underserved communities nationwide.

Prior to founding Bayan, Dr. Turk served as the Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Southern California, the oldest and largest mosque in the Los Angeles area.

[9] As of fall 2020, Bayan's degree programs are being offered in partnership with the Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), founded in 1855.

[11] In 2017, Bayan launched BayanONLINE, now called Bayan-On-Demand, a digital learning platform that includes over 350 hours of course content that speak directly to a multitude of issues Muslims face today.

[14] Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts.

The courses have been developed based on a period of dedicated research and conceptualization by Resident Scholar Shaykh Jihad Brown.