The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) commemorated its 40th anniversary last Thursday in a grand ceremony graced by King Charles III, who also serves as the Centre’s Grand Patron.
The event, held in the historic university town of Oxford, featured a keynote address by the King, the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Trustees, and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in the Centre’s gardens.
Among the high-profile attendees was the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who lauded the Centre’s four decades of intellectual contributions, interfaith dialogue, and academic excellence.
Speaking at the event, the Sultan praised OCIS for its global reputation and commended its leadership for fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that promotes understanding across cultures and religions.
“The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies has become a beacon of learning and a model for intellectual and cultural collaboration,” Sultan Sa’ad stated, referencing the Centre’s track record of hosting world-renowned figures such as former South African President Nelson Mandela and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Founded in 1986 in a modest wooden hut on St Cross Road, the Centre has grown into a prominent institution located on a purpose-built campus on Marston Road.
Today, OCIS boasts a diverse student body and faculty, with research and teaching spanning topics such as the intellectual and social history of the Muslim world, economic development, and the role of Muslims in Britain.
The Board of Trustees reflects the Centre’s global outlook, featuring notable figures from both Muslim and non-Muslim backgrounds. Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal chairs the board, with Sultan Nazrin Shah of Malaysia as Vice Chairman and Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah of Kuwait as a longstanding member. British members include Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve KC, former UK Attorney General, Sir Martin Donnelly KCB, and Dr. Catherine Swales from the University of Oxford. Sultan Sa’ad remains the only African leader on the board.
Director Dr. Farhan Nizami highlighted recent milestones, including the launch of the “Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World” exhibition, and two prestigious lectures by Lord Neuberger and Professor Philippe Sands on topics ranging from the rule of law to genocide.
OCIS has also expanded its academic reach through its flagship publications, The Journal of Islamic Studies and Makers of Muslim Civilization, and fellowships such as the King Charles Fellowship, Nelson Mandela Fellowship, and Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Fellowship.
As the Centre looks ahead, Sultan Sa’ad expressed confidence that OCIS will continue to thrive under the leadership of King Charles III and its diverse board, projecting even greater achievements in the decades to come.
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