On May 24, 2013, the PhD dissertation by Ara G. Margaryan 'Qitab al-mahasin' by Ahmad al-Barki as a Source of History of Shi'ite Islam [«Китаб ал-махасин» Ахмада ал-Барки как источник по истории шиитского ислама] was successfully defended.

The PhD Dissertation suprvisor - Dr S.M. Prozorov.

The official opponents - Dr. M.A. Rodionov, the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, RAS, Dr. V.A. Drozdov, St Petersburg State University.

The neutral organization - the Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS.