Institute of Religious Studies graduates 48 students from 45 countries

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of students from the Institute of Religious Studies Preparatory and Secondary for Boys, with 48 graduates representing 45 countries, highlighting the institution’s longstanding academic and educational standing as one of Qatar’s most prominent centers for Islamic studies.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, alongside senior officials, parents, and members of the teaching and administrative staff.

The event marked the culmination of years of academic and personal development undertaken by the students at the institute, which was established in 1954 as Qatar’s first educational institution specializing in Islamic sciences. For more than seven decades, the institute has played a key role in preparing generations of students distinguished by academic excellence, strong moral values, and commitment to Islamic principles and national identity.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasized that Qatar, under the leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has placed education at the heart of its national development strategy, driven by the conviction that investing in people is the most important and sustainable form of investment.

He said the graduation ceremony was not merely an occasion to honor academic achievement, but also a celebration of an educational legacy spanning more than 72 years. Throughout its history, the institute has produced numerous scholars, teachers, judges, preachers, ambassadors, ministers, and prominent national figures who have contributed to the service of Qatar and the wider Muslim world while supporting the country’s ongoing development and nation-building efforts.

Dr. Al Nuaimi further noted that the institute has played a vital role in promoting the values of moderation and balance, strengthening Islamic and national identity, and preparing generations capable of harmonizing authenticity with modernity. He stressed that the institute equips students to remain firmly rooted in their values while engaging constructively with contemporary developments and global challenges.

The institute’s mission, he added, extends beyond serving students from Qatar and its resident communities. Through scholarship programmes, it has attracted students from more than 45 countries, becoming an international platform for promoting the values of knowledge, compassion, moderation, and tolerance associated with Islam. 

Addressing the graduates directly, Dr. Al Nuaimi encouraged them to continue their pursuit of learning and service, describing graduation as the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and achievement. 

He urged them to serve as ambassadors for the institute and its educational mission by embodying the principles of knowledge, dedication, and integrity throughout their lives.

Director of the Technical and Specialised Education Department Eng. Hashem Al Sada, said graduation represents far more than the attainment of an academic certificate. Rather, it signifies the successful completion of a journey focused on intellectual development, character building, and preparing future generations equipped with knowledge and purpose.

He noted that the Institute of Religious Studies Preparatory and Secondary for Boys has nurtured students grounded in the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Arabic language while providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute positively to their communities and the broader Muslim world.