أقام معهد الدراسات الإسماعيلية حفل تخرج في المركز الإسماعيلي بلندن بتاريخ 28 آذار 2026، احتفاءً بإنجازات خريجي دفعة 2026 من برنامج الدراسات العليا في الدراسات الإسلامية والعلوم الإنسانية (GPISH) ودفعة C-16 من برنامج إعداد معلمي المرحلة الثانوية (STEP). وقد جمع الحفل الخريجين وأسرهم وأعضاء هيئة التدريس والضيوف للاحتفال بختام سنوات من الدراسة والانطلاق نحو مسارات جديدة في البحث العلمي والتعليم والخدمة.
Opening reflections and messages
افتُتحت مراسم الحفل بتلاوة منالقرآنيعتقد المسلمون أن القرآن الكريم يحتوي على الوحي الإلهي الذي تلقّاه النبي محمد في مكة والمدينة على مدى 23 عامًا في أوائل القرن السابع الميلادي. المزيد، تلتها كلمة ترحيبية من مديرة المعهد، البروفيسورة زين قاسم.
In her remarks, Professor Kassam underscored The Institute’s commitment to advancing the study of Muslim societies through rigorous scholarship and meaningful engagement with contemporary challenges. This theme resonated throughout the ceremony, as speakers reflected on the responsibility graduates carry as they move into the next stage of their academic and professional lives.
Delivering a congratulatory message, of reflected on the intellectual depth of the programmes and the importance of nuanced, critical approaches to the study of Islam. He emphasised that graduates leave not only with knowledge, but also with the capacity to challenge assumptions, foster understanding, and bridge divides in an increasingly complex world.
of the also addressed the gathering, describing graduation as a new beginning. Drawing inspiration from the Irish poet John O’Donohue, she spoke of the transition from student to “teacher-leader” and encouraged graduates to embrace the responsibilities and possibilities that come with leadership and pedagogy.
The commencement address was delivered by of the . In a thought-provoking reflection, he encouraged graduates to carry forward the habits of critical inquiry they had developed while remaining open to learning beyond the classroom.
Presentation of degrees and awards
A central highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of degrees. Graduates of the STEP cohort received the Master of Arts in Muslim Societies and Civilisations and the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Reflective Practice, while GPISH graduates were awarded the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies and Humanities.
كما جرى تكريم التميُّز الأكاديمي من خلال جوائز أفضل رسالة. وقد حصلت ألينا شارانيا على الجائزة عن برنامج STEP، فيما مُنحت جائزة GPISH مناصفةً بين أنيلا بانو وكيران ورُباب معراج، وذلك تقديرًا لرسائلهن الاستثنائية.
Valedictory reflections
Nabila Esmail, STEP C16 Class of 2025
تضمَّنت كلمات التخرُّج تأمُّلاتٍ شخصية وجماعية حول مسيرة الطلاب نحو التخرج. وتحدَّثت نبيلة إسماعيل بالنيابة عن دفعة C16 لبرنامج STEP لعام 2025، عن مسيرة الدفعة في سياق مؤسسي وتاريخي أوسع. وفي معرض حديثها عن أهمية الفترة التي قضاها الطلاب في المعهد، أشارت إلى ما يلي:
من أبرز الفصول الفارقة في تلك الرحلة، مرحلةُ التحوُّل التي اجتزناها معًا. ولعلَّنا من الدفعات القليلة التي بدأت دراستها في عهد إمام وأتمَّتها في ظل هداية إمام آخر. وهذا وحده يُذكِّرنا بأن مسيرتنا التعليمية جزء لا يتجزَّأ من تاريخ حي.
She also reflected on the shared experience that shaped the cohort over the past two years, adding: If these two years have taught us anything, it is about the quiet, consistent work of listening deeply, asking better questions, and carrying knowledge with integrity, humility and purpose. We arrived here as individuals. We leave as a cohort shaped by one another’s stories, laughter, and care.
سندس فياض، خريجة برنامج GPISH، دفعة عام 2026
Sundas Fayyaz, valedictorian for the GPISHClass of 2026, addressed the gathering remotely and reflected on the shared journey of the past two years. In her remarks, she congratulated her peers on completing
“…this beautiful journey that we began two years ago with so many dreams, hopes, and aspirations”, adding that it proved “that late nights, endless readings, and countless cups of tea and coffee actually do eventually lead somewhere.”
Reflecting on the experience of studying at The Institute, she noted: ” My dear friends, this two-year programme has offered so much more than academic growth. It taught us how to embrace diversity, how to become independent in a foreign country far outside our comfort zones, how to engage with the local communities, and how to build relationships that could last a lifetime. Studying abroad means different things to different people. For some, it is about grades and academic success. For others, it is about exploring cultures and new places. But for me, this experience is about eleven people. My cohort mates, my family beyond family… this is not the end of our story. This is only the beginning of becoming what we were meant to be.”
شهادات شخصية
سارة شارانيا، خريجة برنامج STEP، موزمبيق
Reflecting on the significance of graduating as the first STEP student from Mozambique, Sara Charania shared her experience and message for future applicants:
It is an amazing feeling and it is very overwhelming. It is a big responsibility, and it feels good to be the first graduate of STEP from Mozambique and it is an honour to serve ITREB Mozambique.
لدينا أعداد كبيرة من الطلاب، ولدينا أكاديميات الآغا خانلقب منحه شاه بلاد فارس للإمام الإسماعيلي آنذاك في عام 1818 وورثه كل من خلفائه في الإمامة. ، ونحن مجتمع في نمو مستمر. وإن كنتَ تتقدَّم من بيئة صغيرة وكنتَ أوَّل مَن يتقدَّم منها، فأقدِم على هذه الخطوة — فهي تستحق ذلك. كل شيء رائع، وأعضاء هيئة التدريس والعاملون هنا في معهد الدراسات الإسماعيلية يمتازون بالدعم والتشجيع. لقد كانت سنتان رائعتان من التجربة أمضيتُهما في برنامج STEP، وإن شاء الله أن أُسهم في خدمة المجتمع لسنوات عديدة قادمة.
أحمد نيار، خريج برنامج STEP، وادي هونزا، باكستان
يتحدث أحمد نيار من وادي هونزا في باكستان عن تجربته كخريج برنامج STEP قائلاً: "أشعر بفخر كبير لكوني جزءاً من الدفعة السادسة عشرة لبرنامج إعداد معلمي المرحلة الثانوية في معهد الدراسات الإسماعيلية. لقد كانت رحلة رائعة على مدار العامين الماضيين".
حين أستعيد ذكرياتي وأتأمَّل الرحلة التي قطعتها من باكستان إلى المملكة المتحدة، أرى أنها أحدثت تغييرًا جذريًا في حياتي. خلال فترة دراستي، انخرطنا في نقاشاتٍ معمقة حول الإيمان والشعائر والممارسات والفلسفة ودراسات القرآن والتاريخ، وقد أسهم ذلك كله في توسيع آفاقي.
The UCL experience was inspiring, and in addition to teaching at mainstream schools in the UK, both experiences equipped me with unique skills and expertise. Learning is a lifelong journey, and I aspire to continue serving my community and to work towards making a difference through the dissemination of the skills and knowledge I gained during my STEP degree in my home region of the Hunza Valley, Pakistan.
Best Dissertation Award winners reflections
This is the first year that dissertation prizes have been awarded for GPISH and STEP.
The reflections below are from the recipients of the GPISH class of 2026 for the Best Dissertation Prize — Rubab Meraj, Kiran Rehmat and Anila Bano — whose work was recognised for exceptional academic merit.
رُباب معراج، الفائزة بجائزة أفضل رسالة في برنامج GPISH
Reflecting on the dissertation journey, Rubab Meraj described it as an opportunity for deep intellectual and personal engagement:
The GPISH dissertation was an inspiring opportunity to deeply immerse in ideas governed by passion, through a critical academic lens with grounding in the human experience.
It was my ‘baby’, as said by my supervisor. The journey was a mixed bag of challenging preconceptions, late night introspections, discourse with peers and creative thinking. It taught me the importance of asserting our place in the production of knowledge, especially that which address our own lived realities in a postcolonial world.
Kiran Rehmat, GPISH Best Dissertation Prize recipient
Kiran Rehmat reflected on the programme as a period of both academic and personal transformation: Right after my undergrad,
GPISH offered me not only academic growth but also a period of real personal transformation, where I learned more about who I am and how I think. Through the program, I developed the ability to refine my ideas and approach problems with a more critical and structured mindset.
I was able to truly put my curiosity to the test. Learning alongside peers from diverse, multidisciplinary backgrounds broadened my perspective and enriched every discussion. Most importantly, the program grounded me in research ethics, which I now carry into my work in social care, where I evaluate health interventions through an ethical lens.
Anila Bano, GPISH Best Dissertation Prize recipient
Reflecting on the meaning of the award and the significance of her research, Anila Bano shared: Receiving this award feels deeply humbling, and it belongs as much to the people of Darkut as it does to me. I remain sincerely grateful to those who welcomed me into their homes with such generosity and trust, sharing stories shaped by sukoon (peace), pareshani (distress), and the quiet persistence of wahum in areas exposed to multiple hazards. Their words remind me that floods are not singular events, but lived and layered realities, reshaping homes, memories, and emotional worlds, held together in the enduring phrase ‘dewushumaan, sey churumbi’: we rebuild again and again.
Rooted in my interdisciplinary journey through the GPISH programme, and my earlier grounding in Psychology and Biology, I have tried to hold together the human and the environmental, the scientific and the lived. What emerged from my dissertation work was not a simple story of vulnerability or strength, but an interweaving of both.
Alina Charania, STEP Best Dissertation Award recipient, India
قالت ألينا رحيم شارانيا من الهند، الحائزة على جائزة أفضل رسالة في برنامج STEP:
كانت تجربة STEP بمثابة رحلة غيرت حياتي بشكل جذري، إذ أسهمت في تكوين شخصيتي ليس فقط كمعلمة بل أيضًا كمتعلّمة، فأصبحت باستمرار أتساءل وأتأمل وأسعى للتطور المستمر.
The space encouraged me to embrace uncertainty, build meaningful connections, and encounter diversity and understand the true essence of teaching. I leave with not just skills, but a mindset that I know will stay with me for life.
A moment of celebration and new beginnings
The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation for all graduates, followed by a reception where graduates, their families, faculty, and guests continued the celebration.
As the STEP C-16 and GPISH Class of 2026 joins The Institute’s growing alumni community, the event marked not only the culmination of years of study, but also the beginning of new contributions to scholarship, education, and society.
The Institute extends its sincere thanks to Stefan Liszko, ҹ糡 Registrar, for serving as Master of Ceremonies with eloquence as well as wit and humour, the Student Services team, led by , the Office of Communications & Development, and the many volunteers from the Ismaili Centre and the student community whose dedication ensured the success of the ceremony.
