Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies building, operational from 2016.

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OXCIS) was founded in 1985 as an independent centre affiliated with the University of Oxford, mainly interested in the advanced study of Islam and Muslim societies.[1] Its patron is the Prince of Wales. In 2012 it was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth II. The governance of the Centre is managed by a board of trustees made up of scholars and statesmen from around the world, and representatives of the University of Oxford.[2][3][4]

The front courtyard inside the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford.

The Centre is dedicated to the study, from a multi-disciplinary perspective, of all aspects of Islamic culture and civilization and of contemporary Muslim societies. The Centre's Fellows are active in different departments, faculties and colleges across the university. Many students and senior academics come to Oxford, over the years, through the Centre's Scholarships and Visiting Fellowships programmes. The Centre arranges lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences, exhibitions and other academic events throughout the academic year.[citation needed]

Many distinguished statesmen and scholars have lectured at the Centre in a programme that began in 1993 with the Prince of Wales' inaugural lecture, 'Islam and the West'. Lecturers in this series have included heads of state and government; internationally renowned scholars from the Muslim world and beyond; and secretaries general of international organisations, including the UN, OIC, Arab League, UNESCO, and the Commonwealth.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

The Centre started out in a wooden hut on St Cross Road. It then moved to office accommodation in George Street in 1990.[12] It moved into a new building, designed by the Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil,[13] during the academic year of 2016/2017.[14]

  1. ^ "£60m Islamic studies centre to open at last". Oxford Mail. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. ^ "A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales". princeofwales.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  3. ^ "About OCIS". Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.
  4. ^ "HRH visits the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies new building". The Prince of Wales. 9 February 2005. Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Palestinian Ambassador Afif Safieh at OXCIS Palestinian-Israeli Relations: History is Still Undecided". The Muslim Weekly. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Prince 'Abdul Mateen graces Sultan of Brunei Prize presentation ceremony | Borneo Bulletin Online". Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  7. ^ Binyon, Michael (3 March 2018). "Catholic Church sets out a vision for closer ties with Islam". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Dr Wan Azizah visits Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies". Malay Mail. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  9. ^ OTHMAN, ZAHARAH (23 September 2018). "Dr M to deliver major lecture on Islam at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies". NST.
  10. ^ Devenport, Mark (13 September 2018). "Seeing the human side of a UN chief". Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  11. ^ "A royal relationship: Prince Andrew honours Sheikh Zayed at centenary event". The National. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Prince Charles urges population to 'rediscover unity' as he opens Islamic centre". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  13. ^ "Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil or the Triumph of the Islamic Architectural Style". Muslim Heritage. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. ^ "£60m Islamic studies centre to open at last". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 18 February 2019.