On June 2 and 3, the Bolgar Islamic Academy successfully held the defense of master’s theses. Today, the Academy celebrated the graduation ceremony for its latest cohort of master’s degree holders.

Congratulating the graduates on this significant milestone, Rector Farkhat Khusnutdinov reminded them that the most important exam still lies ahead — the exam of life.

“This is a test of wisdom, professionalism, the ability to make sound decisions and take responsibility for them. It is a test of your capacity to think on a broad scale, to see the horizon, and to respond to the complex challenges facing our Ummah and our country. I sincerely hope that the knowledge and skills you have acquired at the Academy will serve as a firm foundation for success in this life-long endeavor,” he said.

Rector Khusnutdinov also encouraged the graduates to remain faithful to the legacy of the righteous predecessors while staying open to continuous learning and personal growth. Emphasizing the indispensable role of mentors, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Academy’s faculty:

“Your dedication, professionalism, and devotion to your work make it possible for us to graduate highly qualified Islamic scholars who now serve the faith across many regions of Russia. We are proud of each one of you. This sixth graduating class is a testament to your shared success and your contribution to the future of Islamic education in our country.”

On behalf of Sheikh Ravil khazrat Gaynutdin, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, the address to the graduates was delivered by Rushan khazrat Abbyasov, Chairman of the Final State Certification Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia for International Affairs, and Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Moscow Region. He commended the strong academic and spiritual foundation provided by the Academy:

“It is important not to stop here. Continue along the path of knowledge — now more than ever, when Islamic thought and theology must be developed and strengthened. We have all the necessary conditions to make that possible.”

Albert Dirzizov, Head of the Department for Cooperation with Religious Organizations under the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, also addressed the gathering. He thanked the Academy’s leadership and faculty and underscored the long-term value of the education the graduates received:

“I hope that through your work, you will further enhance the reputation of the Academy as a center for training highly qualified Muslim scholars, and that you will achieve great success in your religious endeavors.”

Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kamil khazrat Samigullin, offered words of guidance on behalf of the Muslims of Tatarstan. He warned that religion declines when people act without knowledge, fail to seek what they do not know, or obstruct others from learning:

“If we eliminate these barriers, our religion will thrive. The work of the Academy contributes to the emergence of scholars who uphold the true teachings of Islam. It is our duty to preserve this path and pass it on to future generations,” the Mufti stated.

Roman Islanov, Head of the Executive Committee of the Spassky District of the Republic of Tatarstan, praised the Bolgar Islamic Academy as a worthy successor to the “House of Knowledge” that flourished in 10th–11th century Cairo. He expressed his hope that with each passing year, the number of distinguished graduates will grow and that they will contribute to the revival and flourishing of Islam in Tatarstan, across Russia, and globally.

Rafik Mukhametshin, Director of the Islamic Education Council and Rector of the Russian Islamic Institute and Kazan Islamic University, also addressed the graduates. He praised the theological maturity demonstrated by this year’s cohort, noting that their research covered both classical scholarship and contemporary issues of relevance to today’s Muslim communities.

Ruslan Sayakhov, Vice-Rector for Research at the Russian Islamic University and a member of the state examination commission, highlighted the exceptional level of Arabic proficiency displayed by the graduates during their thesis defenses:

“This level is rarely seen at other institutions. It was also gratifying to see that the Academy’s strategic priorities — preserving, studying, and promoting Russia’s Islamic theological heritage — were clearly reflected in the students’ work. More than half of the theses were theological analyses, with many focusing on topical issues in Islamic law, Qur’anic studies, hadith sciences, and tafsir.”

On behalf of the Academy’s faculty, Sheikh Anwar Ahmad offered his congratulations and encouraged the graduates to continue their academic journey through doctoral studies at the Academy.

This year, six students graduated with distinction and received red diplomas: Muslim Gadzhidadaev, Muhammad Ikromov, Islam Karimov, Renat Muzaffarov, Yusuf Radzhabov, and Jaloluddin Fozilov. In addition to their diplomas, the most outstanding graduates received letters of appreciation from the Rector of the Academy.