Chancellor’s Formal Address
As Founder and Chancellor of the International Open University, it is my distinct honor and privilege to congratulate the graduating class of 2022! Throughout your years of study with us, I have proudly observed a continuous display of tremendous and commendable dedication, patience, and a commitment to excellence by both you and your colleagues. These noble attributes have been in keeping with the finest traditions and teachings of Islam and reflect great credit upon yourselves, your families, the I.O.U., and the Ummah as a whole!
Praise be to Allah; the time has come when all of your hard work and perseverance has finally paid off. So, cherish this momentous occasion and enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, as you do so, bear in mind that your greatest and most fulfilling work still lies ahead. As you go forth from the virtual halls and classrooms of the IOU into the world, we hope that you will contribute to the betterment of human society as a whole, not only by implementing the knowledge you have inherited in your own lives, but also that you would convey that knowledge to those around you. Armed with the Islamized knowledge that you have gained from IOU, it is very important that you continuously strive to correct the misconceptions which exist in the world today concerning Islam and its teachings. Likewise, it is also important to correct the innovations, distortions, and changes which have taken place in the practice of Islam in many of our Muslim countries and communities around the world. Know that the legacy of Pure Islam left by Prophet Muhammad (saw), has been placed firmly in your hands at IOU and we all have a duty to share it with the world around us.
In closing, I would like to congratulate you again on your monumental achievement and hope that you would take full advantage of the knowledge with which Allah has blessed you. I believe personally that the vast majority of you will make the best of it, realizing that it is a great trust from Allah, and I further believe that you will use it wisely throughout your future lives. May Allah put all of this effort and academic success on our scale of good deeds, when we will need it the most. Aameen.