A leading interfaith ambassador said he was “humbled and honoured” to be awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, imam and scholar in Leicester, received the accolade in recognition of the work he has done to build bridges between communities across the country and globally.
Dr Mogra – whose two sons are also DMU graduates - said: “I am very proud to join the international alumni of DMU, and my two sons who are both graduates of the university.
“It is a proud moment for Muslims, for me as a human being and a Muslim to be recognised for the work I have been doing for interfaith relations.
“I am proud of the fact that DMU is a shining example of how a secular institution can do good and does it very well. I can see how happy Muslim students are to work for their degree while also developing spiritually.
“I am humbled and honoured at the same time. To become an alumni is an incredible privilege and honour.”
In the UK, Dr Mogra has worked with the Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace and the Christian-Muslim Forum, and with archbishops of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Westminster and chief rabbis, prime ministers, police chiefs, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Office and the Royal Courts of Justice.
He was awarded his honorary degree alongside graduates from DMU’s Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities who celebrated in style at the university’s stunning new The Venue@DMU events venue.
Daniel Wallage and Chris Walford
(pictured below) are past masters at graduations – as Architecture students, this was their third ceremony in their seven-year course. “We’ve done De Montfort Hall, Curve and now the Venue so although I’m very proud there’s a great feeling that finally I’m qualified!” said Daniel. “Architecture has been a brilliant course,” added Chris.
Kinga Bochemska and Sharon Noseley were celebrating passing their Masters in English Language Teaching with a merit and distinction respectively. The pair not only studied together but work together as part of the team at Leicester International Pathway College, the pathway college for international students at DMU.
Earlier in the day, students from DMU’s Faculty of Technology collected their degrees. Jigar Bhandari graduated from the MSc Cyber Security after joining DMU from Pune University in India in software engineering. He said: “It has been hard work but I have enjoyed the course, the staff are all really helpful as well.”
Faheem Parkar, of Highfields, Leicester,
(pictured above) has just started an internship after graduating in electronic engineering: “It’s been a great day, really proud to be graduating today!”
Rob Graveley, BSc Audio Recording Technology graduate, has already landed a role with a telecoms company. He said: “DMU has been great, I’ve enjoyed it a lot and to be leaving with a job, is the icing on the cake.”
Posted on Tuesday 26 January 2016