The 2026 Commencement Ceremony of The Islamic Seminary of America was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center on the campus of The University of Texas at Dallas. It was truly a day marked by reflection, celebration, gratitude, and the unmistakable sense that something meaningful had been entrusted to the next generation of scholars and leaders.

The day began with the Dean’s Reception, graciously hosted by Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Yasir Qadhi. In a gathering filled with warmth and anticipation, members of the Board of Trustees, visiting faculty, graduating students, and their families shared precious final moments together before the graduates crossed the threshold from students into alumni, joining the growing and distinguished ranks of TISA graduates before them.

The commencement ceremony, bookended with Qur’an recitation and nasheed from IANT Quranic Academy students, carried both dignity and emotional weight. Dr. Qadhi summed up the endeavour of the TISA graduates aptly – “Alhamdullilah. You’ve made it. But, while some of you think that this hill you climbed on is your pinnacle, in reality, the journey ahead, has more battles to fight, and far bigger hills to conquer… graduation is not the end of a chapter. It is the beginning of a lifelong and exciting journey.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Iqbal Unus, announced that Chief Strategy Officer Abdullah al-Mamun will officially assume the role of President of TISA effective July 1, 2026. In a heartfelt moment that departed from the day’s formal programme notes, President-designate al-Mamun and Dean Qadhi joined Dr. Unus in presenting the inaugural Founder’s Award to Dr. James (Jimmy) Jones (TISA Executive Vice President) in recognition of his relentless and unwavering service since 2019.

Receiving the honour with visible emotion, Dr. Jones reflected on a lifetime in academia and spoke passionately about the exceptional caliber of TISA’s faculty, staff, and students. Even after a half-century devoted to higher education, he remarked that his love for students and learning remains undiminished, sharing, to the delight of the audience, that he still personally reads every paper submitted in his courses.

As part of the distinguished stage party, Visiting Faculty Dr. Mona Islam was entrusted with the formal duty of reading the names of the successful candidates during the degree and certificate conferral. The ceremony celebrated six graduates whose journeys embodied perseverance, sacrifice, and deep commitment to sacred knowledge. Those awarded the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (MAIS) were Ziad Tarik Abunasrah ‘26 (Islamic Leadership), Peter Anthony Kovacik ‘26, Anika Munshi ‘26, and Ahmed Lotfy Rashed ‘25 (all Islamic Sciences). Graduate Certificates were conferred upon Amal Nabil Fayad (Islamic Studies) and Mebarek Nouiouat (Islamic Leadership & Management).

The graduates’ remarks served as some of the evening’s most moving moments. Their words bore witness to years of discipline, demanding workloads, moments of uncertainty, and steadfast devotion through adversity. Yet woven through every reflection was gratitude for knowledge, for mentorship, for companionship, and for the transformative experience of rigorous Islamic scholarship. Their stories reminded all in attendance that the sweetest fruits are often borne through the seeds of patience, endurance, and sincere striving.

The Visionary Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Iqbal Unus, for his contribution to leading, promoting, and sustaining several organizations through the decades and across the country. The Dean’s Prize 2026 was presented to Ziad Tarik Abunasrah, and the President’s Award was presented to Dr. Tamara Gray, Founder & CEO of Rabata.

In her keynote address that captivated the audience, Dr. Gray transported attendees to the historic halls of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, recounting formative experiences that shaped not only her own journey but subsequently the lives of countless students who have benefited from her scholarship and mentorship. Her reminder that an “Islamic academic education is at its best the formation of a human being. It shapes the mind. It shapes the heart. It shapes the posture. It shapes the way we enter a room. It shapes the way we grow the Ummah,” moved the attendees with its simple yet profound message.

In her charge to the graduates, she implored them not to be impressed with themselves, but to be in awe of Allah; not to let their knowledge become a wall between them and the people, but a bridge; and finally, “It doesn’t matter how you feel. The Ummah needs you to get up, and do the work, and wait.”

Behind the scenes, the seamless execution of the day stood as a testament to months of careful planning and tireless dedication. Sr. Aliya Nehal, Director of Operations, and Sr. Shazia Aslam, Administrative Coordinator, emerged as the powerhouse behind the event’s remarkable success. Through countless meetings, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering presence throughout commencement day, they, alongside an energetic team of TISA staff and volunteers, worked in concert to present TISA to the community with excellence, grace, and professionalism.

More than a graduation ceremony, the day served as a living reflection of TISA’s enduring commitment to being rigorous in scholarship, rooted in tradition, and relevant to the needs of the modern world.