Embracing the Light of Palestine: Reflections from Our Inaugural Graduation

By Kamila Deen

Reading time: 4 minutes

This space belongs to them.

Warriors of light, souls of strength and dedication that the eye cannot see. This is a glimpse into the character and attributes of the students of Palestine, dignified, disciplined, and deeply rooted in a purpose far greater than themselves.

When our Founding Dean Dr Ismail was invited to contribute to the Supporting Researcher Creative Capacity MA Programme, a vision he embraced with clarity and purpose, we stepped into the opportunity under his direction with awe and commitment. We introduced the programme to a cohort of Palestinian students with pride, honour, and the care that comes only from God. Dr Mariam Attia, our Senior Lecturer in Academic Practice, worked closely with Dr Nazmi of the Islamic University of Gaza to develop and deliver the full programme experience, which we, as a community, immersed ourselves in with both hands. This was an extraordinary opportunity to support something far more meaningful than a moment, something that lives on, blossoming into an olive tree of knowledge, nourished by their sincerity, rooted in their truth, and reaching ever upward by the permission of God. A bridge we were privileged to carry with honour, commitment, and His care.

The story belongs to them. We were simply witnesses.

That light reached its most brilliant on the day of the graduation. It shimmered with their presence, their grace, and the dignity of achievement.

Each student arrived with a light in their voices that outshone their circumstances, embodying the very spirit of that unforgettable day. Their commitment, their will to seek knowledge purely for the sake of building their communities and serving their country, and the sincerity of their intent were unmistakable. They reminded us, and me personally, of what true scholarship looks like: not a pursuit of prestige, but a path of purpose. From the very beginning to the very end, I described them as people of High Himmah. They are the carriers of the flag of the Highest Himmah, and they gave to us what we can never give to them: Godly determination and devotion to a classical education.

They taught me about focus, dedication, and devotion in ways I could never have imagined. Their spirit and essence are unmatched, and they truly are the embodiment of what Imam Ali once said: "The universe is within you."

They are the light of God. There is no other way to describe it.

On graduation day, we were the ones being invited, into their homes, their stories, their worlds. Through the screen, across time zones, they offered us their joy, their strength, and their tears. And somewhere amidst the ceremony, I realised we weren’t merely marking the end of a course. We were witnessing a sacred moment of becoming.

It was overwhelming in the most beautiful way. As I handled the logistics and helped keep things running behind the scenes, what unfolded before me was extraordinary. These graduates had honoured us with their trust. They allowed The Classical Institute to be a small part of their journey, and for that, we will remain forever thankful.

They are not just students. They are scholars. They are dignified. They are courageous. They are the voice of a future that refuses to be silenced.

I speak on behalf of our entire TCI community when I say this: the light of that day remains with us. It will guide how we teach, how we serve, and how we show up in the world.