Grand Convocation Ceremony Held at MMERC, Mumbai
EC News Desk
7 February 2026
Mumbai:
The 21st Convocation Ceremony of Markazul Ma‘arif Education and Research Centre (MMERC), Mumbai, (which was established in 1994 by Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Al-Qasmi) was held with great dignity and grandeur on Saturday, 7 February 2026. The programme witnessed the presence of eminent academic, educational, religious, and social personalities from Mumbai and different parts of the country, which further enhanced the stature and significance of the event.
MMERC runs a two-year Diploma in English Language and Literature (DELL) Course aimed at equipping Islamic scholars with proficiency in the English language and literature, enabling them to effectively serve the nation and the community in contemporary contexts. This year, the scholars enrolled in the DELL course successfully completed their two-year academic journey, and the ceremony served as their farewell programme. On this occasion, the graduating students showcased samples of their academic and intellectual achievements and demonstrated the skills they had acquired during their course of study. They were subsequently awarded certificates, medals, and valuable commemorative prizes by the institution.
Along with it, MMERC also runs a well-structured six-year Maktab educational system. In the program, the students of the Maktab also participated enthusiastically in the programme, presenting various educational and co-curricular activities. Their confident performances were warmly appreciated by the audience.
The programme was jointly anchored by the MMERC’s lecturers, Mufti Jaseemuddin Qasmi, Maulana Salman Alam Qasmi and Maulana Shahid Qasmi Imam & Khatib at MMERC Masjid. It began with presentations by the Maktab students, followed by performances and presentations by the graduating scholars.
In the final academic year of the two-year programme, based on the combined results of all three examinations, Qeyamuddin Ansari Qasmi secured the first position, Muhammad Arshad Ansari Qasmi stood second, and Muhammad Asad Qasmi secured the third position. These three toppers were honoured with certificates and medals, along with high-quality laptops generously sponsored by Ex Prof Tibbia Unani Medical College Versova, Dr. Isa Nadvi. All other graduating students were also awarded certificates, medals, and additional prizes.
MMERC places equal emphasis on co-curricular and extra-curricular activities alongside formal education. In recognition of outstanding performance in these areas, several special awards were presented. The Best Speaker of the Year Award was conferred upon Tauseequr Rahman Lashkar, the Best Writer of the Year Award to Muhammad Hasnain Rabbani, the Social Personality Award to Shahzad Nadvi, the Spiritual Personality Award to Muhammad Akhlaq Qasmi, the Pleasent Personality Award to Shafiq-ul-Islam Qasmi, the Punctual Student Award to Muhammad Asad Qasmi, the Sport Person of the Year Award to Muhammad Altaf Hussain, and the Immaculate Personality Award was awarded to Abdul Majid Qasmi.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Markazul Ma‘arif, Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi, said that the day was a blend of joy and concern—joy over the students’ success and concern over the responsibilities now resting upon their shoulders. He reminded the graduates that from this day onward, they were a trust and an asset of the Ummah and were being entrusted to it. Concluding his address, he advised them:
“These are my final words to you: always safeguard your faith, character, and trustworthiness, and never compromise on them, otherwise we shall hold you accountable on the Day of Judgment.”
Versova MLA Mr Haroon Rashid Khan congratulated the students on their graduation and emphasized the importance of responsibility after completing formal education. He urged them to play a constructive role in society and to utilize their abilities for the service of the nation and the community.
The Chief Guest of the programme, Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani, a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board coming from Kolkata in his address, highlighted the deep connection between the Qur’an and true success. Referring to Shaikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA), he stated that during his imprisonment in Malta, the Shaikh had reflected on the decline of the Muslim Ummah and identified distancing from the Qur’an as its primary cause—particularly the division of knowledge into “religious” and “worldly” categories.
Maulana Rahmani further remarked that aversion and hostility towards the English language constitute a form of intellectual oppression, which Markazul Ma‘arif has effectively addressed and overcome, thereby setting a remarkable milestone. Addressing the graduates, he urged them to focus on India’s realities and priorities, stressing the urgent need for consistent planning, consultation, and serious intellectual concern for both individual and collective Muslim futures. He also emphasized self-accountability—evaluating what has been achieved so far, what remains to be done, and where one aims to stand in the coming years.
Speaking on the occasion, honourable guest Mufti Sufyan Ahmad Qasmi Wanu shared that his family had been elected to political office continuously for the past forty-five years, even from a constituency where nearly 80 percent of the population is non-Muslim. He observed that some madrasa graduates today suffer from a sense of inferiority, despite being the heirs of the Prophets. He stressed that their true role is to lead in every sphere of life. Drawing a powerful analogy, he said that scholars should resemble clouds that pour rain upon barren lands rather than wells that wait for the thirsty to approach them.
The message of the Founder of MMERC, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Al-Qasmi, was conveyed to the students by Maulana Ismail Mazahri, offering valuable guidance for their future life and responsibilities.
MMERC In-charge, Maulana Atiqur Rahmani Qasmi, senior lecturer, Maulana Aslam Javed Qasmi, Maulana Jameel Ahmad Qasmi , Maulana Mohammad Taukir Rahmani and Qari Mujahidul Islam etc. contributed to make the program successfull.
The programme concluded with heartfelt advice and a concluding supplication by the Mufti-e-Azam of Maharashtra, Mufti Azizur Rahman Fatehpuri, bringing the intellectually enriching and spiritually uplifting gathering to a close.
