Muhammad Bilal studied Islamic sciences (Dars-i Nizami) at Madrasa (institute of traditional Islamic sciences), graduating from Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan. He holds a master's degree in comparative History from Central European University Budapest. His research focus at CEU revolved around 19th-century Sufi Jihad movements in North Africa, specifically exploring the concept of jihad in Abd al-Qadir’s (1808–1883) thought.

He completed "Madrasa Discourses"(a three-year online course designed for Madrasa students) at University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. From 2016 to 2018, he worked as a project manager at the International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA), where he actively engaged in capacity-building workshops, training, and seminars among community leaders, particularly Imams, to address the issues of sectarianism, obscurantism, and violent extremism within the context of Pakistan.

Drawing upon the theory of Habitus by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, Bilal intends to explore the process of identity transformation within the Madrasas in Pakistan. By employing discourse analysis and participant observation, he seeks to explore the intricate interplay between the syllabus and the social milieu of madrasa in shaping the identities of the students of madrasas. Drawing from his personal experience as a madrasa graduate, he aspires to provide an insider's perspective and amplify the voices of students of Madrasas within contemporary academic discourse.

Bilal prevailed in a competitive application process against 30 applicants and we are happy to welcome him to the VDTR and wish him all the best for his research endeavour!