Ashraf AboArafe
CAIRO — In a celebration honoring centuries of sacred knowledge and artistic mastery, the Al-Halqa Foundation for Heritage Revival and Local Development held a graduation ceremony in Cairo to award academic authorizations (ijazat) and certificates to 240 male and female students across a wide array of traditional sciences and arts.
The ceremony opened with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a welcoming address from Dr. Seymur Nasirov Al-Azhari, Director of the Foundation. Welcoming the distinguished guests, Dr. Nasirov reflected on the foundation’s 23-year journey, emphasizing its steadfast commitment to preserving traditional knowledge, honoring classical heritage, and nurturing future scholars.
Dr. Nasirov highlighted that the foundation offers a rich educational spectrum. At its heart is the study of Qur’anic recitations (Qira’at) with unbroken chains of transmission (Isnad) tracing directly back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The curriculum also features deep study in Arabic linguistics—including grammar, morphology, and rhetoric—alongside Arabic calligraphy, biomorphic and geometric illumination, vocal scales (maqamat), and the philosophy and jurisprudence of Islamic architecture (Fiqh al-Umran).
“The Al-Halqa family firmly believes that education is a fundamental human right,” Dr. Nasirov stated. “Serving knowledge, supporting its students, and spreading wisdom is a noble mission and a profound honor we have carried for over two decades—preparing generations who bridge classical authenticity with creative contemporary contribution.”
Sheikh Zayed Mahmoud, Master of Qur’anic Recitations at the foundation, spoke on the spiritual and intellectual weight of receiving an ijazah. He emphasized that the certificate is far more than a degree; it is a sacred trust (amanah), binding the student to a continuous lineage of scholars throughout history. He urged the graduates to act upon their knowledge with sincerity and to spread it with wisdom.
Addressing the cultural significance of the occasion, Dr. Khaled Azab, Director of the foundation’s House of Architecture and Urbanism, spoke on heritage preservation as the bedrock of cultural identity. He noted that the house was established as a beacon to bring together scholars, architects, and artists, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary application.
A Legacy Open to All
Today, Al-Halqa serves over 1,000 students from diverse nationalities, with Egyptian students comprising roughly half of the student body.
Beyond core linguistic and Qur’anic studies, the foundation provides hands-on training in traditional arts and crafts, including:
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Traditional Bookbinding and Gypsum Carving
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Stained Glass Work and Khayamiya (traditional Egyptian tentmaking)
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Kashani Ceramics, tile painting, and Mosaic Art
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Coppersmithing and Metalwork
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Heritage and Environmental Agriculture
In addition to its educational initiatives, Al-Halqa plays an active role in supporting international students studying at Al-Azhar University, providing them with suitable housing and a stable environment to focus on their studies.
True to its foundational vision, all programs, housing, and services are provided completely free of charge—a testament to the foundation’s belief that true knowledge should be accessible to all without barrier.
