AKU Establishes Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

Dr. Abdou Filali-Ansary, Director of the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, London.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Chancellor's Commission Report, and based on a detailed study undertaken by a Task Force of international scholars and experts, AKU established its Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) in London in 2002.

AKU-ISMC is not a school of divinity or theology. It focuses instead on the exploration of Muslim civilisations in a broad sense, through the study of the arts, philosophy, culture, sciences, architecture and other fields, with a view to encouraging increased understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. It will undertake research and scholarly activities, with contributions from scholars from the east and the west, and from developed and developing regions. The Institute has the opportunity to make a distinctive contribution to the understanding of Muslim civilisations and the emergence of new attitudes among Muslims and non-Muslims towards the concerns of contemporary societies.ic activity of AKU-ISMC will be a bibliographical indexing and abstracting project on works concerning Muslim civilisations, published in various languages. The index and abstracts will be made available worldwide via the Internet and other means. The Institute will also launch a programme on thematic research and related publications, utilising advances in communications technology to support international participation and dissemination in areas such as economic development and bio-medical ethics.

Educational programmes at the Institute will include an interdisciplinary master’s degree as well as a range of specialist short courses in areas such as ethical values in business, medical ethics, perceptions of Muslim societies, and the role of culture in creating sustainable development. The Institute's educational focus will also include development of curricula on Muslim civilisations for use by other educational institutions including schools and AKU's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which is now under planning.

Dr. Filali-Ansary, recently appointed as Director of AKU-ISMC, affirms that "The Institute is intended to engender a qualitative shift within the study of Muslim civilisations. It should be able to give an impetus to new approaches to subjects related to what Muslims have experienced in the past and are experiencing at present. Qualities which will be needed most are creativity, dialogue and continuity."

A PhD from the Faculty of Letters, University of Dijon, France, Dr. Filali-Ansary has been closely associated with the planning and development of AKU-ISMC. He is a scholar of Islamic studies and philosophy from Morocco, and previously was the Director of the King Abdul-Aziz Foundation in Casablanca, which he helped develop in the mid eighties. The Foundation is recognised today as a highly-reputed library and research centre in the Maghreb.

The Institute's location at 3 Bedford Square, in the academic heart of London, will facilitate its future expansion and development. London is at a geographical and intellectual crossroad, offering a conducive environment for the scholarship and dialogue required to pursue the mission of the Institute, and accessible to significant areas of the Muslim world. Its central location also facilitates collaboration with universities and other centres of learning in the UK, Europe and North America.

AKU-ISMC aims to make a difference in the understanding of Muslim civilisations through multidisciplinary approaches and research in the broader sense, and by mobilising scholars from across the world. While promoting insights and knowledge of the heritage of Muslim civilizations, it hopes to be a catalyst for positive inter-faith dialogue.