Quran Recitation Opens Harvard Baccalaureate Ceremony, Video Gains Global Attention

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: A Quran recitation by a Muslim student during the annual Baccalaureate ceremony at Harvard University has attracted widespread attention online, with a video of the event going viral across social media platforms.
During the ceremony held on May 26, student Suhaila Mukhtar recited the opening verses of Quran’s Surah Al-Alaq, the chapter containing the first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). An English translation of the verses was read by another student.
The event took place at Harvard’s historic Tercentenary Theatre as part of the university’s traditional graduation-week activities. The annual Baccalaureate ceremony is designed to celebrate the diverse religious and cultural traditions represented within the Harvard community.
This year’s ceremony coincided with the period of Eid al-Adha 1447 AH, adding special significance for Muslim students and attendees. Readings and reflections from Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faith traditions were also included in the program.
The opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq begin with the command “Read” (Iqra), emphasizing the importance of knowledge, learning, and intellectual inquiry. Observers noted that the message was particularly fitting for a graduation-related ceremony at one of the world’s leading academic institutions.
Following the event, the video circulated widely on social media, where many users praised it as a powerful example of religious diversity, interfaith respect, and the inclusion of Islamic traditions within a global academic setting.
Harvard’s Baccalaureate ceremony is a long-standing tradition that highlights the spiritual and ethical dimensions of education, encouraging graduates to carry forward values of knowledge, service, and shared humanity as they enter professional life.