Oxford Centre Builds Bridges of Understanding with the Muslim World
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London-Islamic Tourism. A design which combines the best of Oxford and Islamic architectural traditions has been selected for the new Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, currently under construction on the site provided by Magdalen College.
According to the centre’s registrar, Dr David Browning, the concept of the Oxford College came from the Islamic madrasas of the 12th and 13th century – the circle is now coming together. “I was in a madrasa in Samarkand and I felt like I had stepped into one of Oxford’s collegesâ€Â.
In the 1980s the centre was an idea in the minds of geographer Dr Browning and historian Farhan Nizami who were concerned about the growing lack of understanding and trust between the Muslim and Western worlds. The institution started to take shape, first in one room, then in a wooden hut. It is presently housed in temporary premises in George Street, Oxford town centre. These premises permit a restricted amount of office and teaching space and a modest library but cannot be altered or enlarged to provide residential accommodation.
In 2007 the centre will relocated to a new, £60 million, purpose built collegiate-style complex to house a residential and international community of scholars. Dr Browning, cannot contain his enthusiasm as he speaks of the Islamic garden and fountain envisaged for the site. But it will be a British Islamic garden with holly, rosemary, grass and meadow flowers. “It has to look good all year round in the British climateâ€Â, he insists.
The dome of the mosque is almost finished. Dr Browning emphasises that anyone who wants to pray in the mosque will be welcome. The public will be able to borrow books from the 60 thousand volume library and will be invited to lectures at the new centre – a reflection of the diversity of the Muslim world. The Kuwaitis are supporting the library, the Malaysians will probably provide hardwood for the lecture theatre and auditorium and the Saudis have been generous contributors to the project.
“We want to attract funding from the widest possible base so the centre is not associated with any one country in the Muslim worldâ€Â, Dr Browning emphasised.
The centre is the first institution to be associated to Oxford University during its 700 year history. It is trying to encourage the participation of scholars from Muslim societies and to foster a partnership of learning between the Islamic world and Oxford. Its activities are centred around teaching, research, publications and encouragement of international academic corporation through links with scholars and a visiting fellowships and scholarships programme.
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