His daughter was born while he was studying at UIII, and he lost his father while working on his master’s thesis. Despite these challenges, his perseverance paid off as he received the Best Thesis Award at the 3rd UIII Commencement, Class of 2025. He is Md. Mahdi Hasan, an MA graduate from Bangladesh at the UIII Faculty of Islamic Studies.

The journey of Md. Mahdi Hasan is a story of perseverance marked by both personal loss and joy. In his commencement speech, Hasan spoke with humility and gratitude, noting that he did not see himself as the most brilliant or talented, but rather as a student who had been shaped by the dedication of his teachers and the kindness of his peers.

“My journey was full of struggles. Arriving at UIII with no prior academic experience in English, I felt lost and frustrated in the early days. But what carried me through was the support of my lecturers, the inspiration of my supervisors, and the encouragement of my friends,” Mahdi said.

Reflecting on his journey, Hasan became emotional when dedicating his award. “During my two years here, I lost my beloved father. I could not be present at his funeral because I was completing my thesis. At the same time, my wife was pregnant back home, and I could not be by her side in her most difficult moments. Yet, from that pain came joy. I dedicate this award to my late father, my mother, my wife and my beloved daughter.”

Mahdi’s thesis, titled “Challenging Islamic orthodoxy : Bahāʾīsm and Aḥmadiyya as new religious movements — a comparative study in Bangladesh’s mainstream Islamic landscape”, was supervised by Dr. Aria Nakissa. The study provides a comparative analysis of how these two minority movements are positioned within the broader Islamic discourse in Bangladesh, offering a fresh and critical perspective on religious diversity and orthodoxy in the Muslim world.

He also shared his hopes for his fellow graduates. “Today we close one chapter of our lives, but a new one begins. Each of you will shine as scholars, leaders, and contributors to society. I believe that one day, in your countries and in your fields, you will serve not only your people but also humanity as a whole.”

As the hall echoed with applause, Hasan’s story stood as a reminder that behind every academic achievement lies untold sacrifices, resilience, and faith. His journey embodied the spirit of UIII: a place where knowledge is not only pursued, but where dreams are tested, refined, and ultimately realized against the backdrop of life’s deepest challenges.