AKU-ISMC opened its doors on 18 Sept 2006 to its first ever cohort of MA students. The dynamic group of fifteen students come from nine countries (Canada, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States of America) and together, speak over nine languages.

Class of 2008: The first cohort of MA students at AKU-ISMC Front row (left to right): Zahra Kazani, Shelina Jaffer, Malik Ajani, Omar Kasmani, Chorshanbe Goibnazarov; Middle row (left to right): Fatemeh Shams Esmaeili, Nadia Rehmani, Achmad Tohe, Sohail Ali, Rozina Mohammad; Back row (left to right): Noorali Bharwani; Belkais Rouached, Umeda Zhumanazorova, Abbas Ali, Nina Hirji Kheraj

The students are as diverse in cultures as they are in their experiences and backgrounds, coming from a range of sectors and professions including, among others, the social sciences and humanities, education, architecture and the visual arts.

For many students of this cohort, it is not only their first time in London, UK but also their first time outside of their home countries. Enthusiastic and bubbling with excitement, the students are looking forward to the academic course work which will prove to be as rigorous, as it will be engaging. Indulging in the history of London and experiencing its vibrancy and diversity will be amongst the many learning opportunities that the students will have over their next two years at the Institute.

For the faculty and staff at AKU-ISMC, the arrival of the first cohort of MA students has been the culmination of four years of planning and preparation. The pleasure of welcoming the MA students to the Institute is clear. As one member of staff succinctly stated, ‘It is like a dream coming true.’

Click here for more information and to view photographs of the Orientation Week

Learn more about the MA in Muslim Cultures offered at AKU-ISMC.