Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies _An institution for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world_
Audited Accounts
2024 / 25
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended
31st March 2025
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
Charity number 293072
**Trustees during the year** HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal (Chairman) HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah (Vice-Chair) HE Dr Abdullah Gul HH Dr Shaikh Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al-Sabah HE Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al - Thani HE Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC Tan Sri Datuk Zarinah Anwar Professor Catherine Swales Mr Khalid Alireza Professor Rashid Naim Sir Martin Donnelly KCB CMG HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman (from 20[th] March 2025) Mr Robert Hannigan (from 31[st] May 2025) **Secretary to the Board of Trustees** Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami
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OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Registered Office**
**Charity registration number Solicitors Bankers**
**Auditors Investment advisors/brokers**
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Marston Road Oxford OX3 0EE 293072 Blake Morgan LLP Seacourt Tower West Way Oxford OX2 0FB Barclays Bank Plc P.O. Box 858 Oxford OX2 0XP NatWest Bank Plc 43 Cornmarket Street Oxford OX1 3HA Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants 30 St Giles Oxford OX1 3LE Allianz Global Investors Europe 155 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3AD Julius Baer International Ltd. 1 St Martin’s Le Grand London EC1A 4AS CCLA Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET Cazenove Capital Schroder & Co Limited 1 London Wall Place London EC2Y 5AU
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the report and the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
Details of the Trustees, Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Director, registered office address, and particulars of the charity's professional advisers are given on the previous two pages.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Organisational structure**
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the work of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, its academic, financial, investment policy and strategic direction. They have delegated the dayto-day management of the Centre to its Director, who operates through his departmental heads. The coordination of the work of the Centre is the responsibility of the Director.
The Trustees maintain contact with the Charity through the Director and the system of committees detailed in the Annual Report.
The Centre’s relationship with its subsidiaries is also detailed in the Annual Report.
## **Key Management Personnel**
The Charity's Trustees and the senior management team comprises the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing, controlling and running of the charity on a day-to-day basis. All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustees received remuneration for their role in the year. The pay of the senior staff made up of the Director, Centre Coordinator, Home Bursar, Investment Bursar and Deputy Registrar is reviewed annually and increased in accordance with the cost of living increment agreed more widely in Oxford.
## **Governing Document**
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is governed in accordance with the Royal Charter granted on 20th April 2012 and the Statutes made under the Charter. It is registered as a charity number 293072, and is considered to have no liability to taxation on its income.
## **Trustees Induction and Training**
Trustees are appointed by election in accordance with the Royal Charter and Statutes, serve for a term of five years and are eligible for re-election at the end of that period. The University of Oxford may nominate for election two of the Trustees (out of the maximum total of fourteen) and Trustees thus appointed also serve for a five-year term.
The election of Trustees is preceded by consultation to ensure they are aware of the aims and objectives of the charity and their responsibilities.
## **Principal Risks and Uncertainties**
The Trustees have assessed and continue to reassess the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the charity's exposure to the major risks. Professional advice has been taken on all aspects of security, fire, and health and safety at the Centre's building. The Security, Fire, Health and
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025**
Safety Policies are documented and reviewed annually. Training is provided as required. The Lodge is permanently manned. Staff are aware of safety procedures and a serious incident reporting procedure and register is in place. The Centre's IT system is managed securely and with necessary infrastructure safeguards in place. Insurances and preventative maintenance contracts are appropriate and fully up to date.
## **Related Parties**
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies owns four subsidiary companies namely Oxcis Limited, Oxford Endeavours Limited, Oxford Real Estate Limited and Oxford Islamic Finance Limited.
## **Consolidated accounts**
For the financial period under review, consolidated accounts have been prepared to include the results of the wholly owned subsidiary companies of the Charity.
## **OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE CHARITY**
The sole purpose of the charity is to promote an understanding of Islam and the Islamic World, in accordance with the Royal Charter. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an academic institution which, by means of the pursuit of excellence in its teaching, research and publication, aims to promote a more informed understanding of the Islamic World. During the year under review the Centre maintained its teaching, research, publishing and outreach activities. The charity will continue to invest in assets that maximise capital growth and yield satisfactory income to fund development of the Centre. A more in-depth review of the above is covered in the main Annual Report.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
The financial position of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is set out on pages 11 to 30 and the Trustees consider that satisfactory progress is being made towards the attainment of the charity's objectives. The performance of the investments portfolio and the results of the subsidiary companies are regarded as satisfactory.
## **Fund raising standards information**
During the year under review the charity did not raise any funds directly from the public nor did it use professional fundraisers or involve commercial participants for the purposes of fund raising.
## **Investment powers and policy**
The investment objective, as agreed by the Trustees, is to achieve sufficient capital and income growth, which over the long term will maintain the real value of the assets. The Trustees continue to review their Investment Policy which holds separate portfolios for the Investment and Reserves Funds. On completion of the building project, the funds were rebalanced to reflect the level of reserves the Trustees felt were necessary to protect the Charity’s ongoing commitments. There are no specific restrictions on investments other than that they should be suitable for the Charity.
The Trustees appoint professional managers to manage investments on behalf of the charity. The activities of the investment managers are appraised periodically in terms of performance and compliance
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025**
with their respective mandates which include social, environmental and ethical considerations. A list of investment managers in place are included on the information page.
## **Reserves policy**
The policy of the Trustees is to use income funds to support the objects of the charity and also to accumulate the operating surpluses and necessary fixed assets, to build up a financial reserve of a sum equivalent to not more than nine months of general fund operating costs. The level of all reserves is monitored and reviewed by the Trustees at least once a year.
Total consolidated funds held at the year end were £215,606,870 (2024: £217,544,236). This included endowed funds of £105,392,622, and restricted funds of £106,335,371. After deducting these from the total, unrestricted funds held were thus in surplus at the year-end by £3,878,877. Of this £2,068,166 was held as fixed assets, and £1,100,032 designated for specific future use as detailed in note 14, leaving c£700k as free reserves in the general fund at the year-end date. The Trustees aim to maintain reserves of not more than nine months expenditure c £3.8m. The trustees remain mindful that further substantial funds will therefore need to be raised in the future to attain sufficient free reserves and operating surplus position in the general fund.
## **FUTURE PLANS**
The immediate goal of the charity is to mobilise benefactions in order to endow its operational costs and expand its academic activities in support of its overall objectives.
## **Trustees' responsibilities statement**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
6
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025**
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Auditors**
A resolution will be proposed to re-appoint the auditors at the forthcoming Annual Trustees meeting.
**Signed on behalf of the Trustees on: 17[th] July 2025**
**Trustee Trustee**
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Independent Auditors’ Report for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Charity (the ‘parent charity’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31st March 2025 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Charity Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and parent charity’s affairs as at 31st March 2025, and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s or parent charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material
8
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Independent Auditors’ Report for the year ended 31st March 2025**
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves.
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees’ report; or
- sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
- the parent charity’s financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 6, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and parent charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- Enquiry of management, those charged with governance and the entity’s solicitors around actual and potential litigation and claims;
- Enquiry of entity staff in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations;
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Independent Auditors’ Report for the year ended 31st March 2025**
- Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
- Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## **Wenn Townsend, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 30 St Giles Oxford**
## **17[th] July 2025**
Wenn Townsend is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|**Note**
**Income From:**
Donations and gifts
**Charitable Activities**
**5**
**Investment income**
**6**
**Total income**
**Expenditure as:**
**Cost of raising funds**
Costs of raising voluntary income
Investment management fees
Development
Trust administration
**Charitable**Activities
Centre
Fellowships &
Scholarships
Publications
Conferences & Events
**Total expenditure**
**7**
**Net income / (expenses)**
**for the year before transfers**
Transfer between funds
**14**
**( Losses ) / Gains on**
**investment assets:**
**9**
**Net movement in funds in year**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
**14**|**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
655,801
2,500,000
2,275,300
5,431,101
1,239,870
430,931
-
-
430,931
428,103
10,953
914
2,368,364
2,380,231
2,412,389
1,097,685
2,500,914
4,643,664
8,242,263
4,080,362
1,668
-
-
1,668
1,815
-
-
190,771
190,771
211,314
91,550
-
-
91,550
58,449
49,335
-
-
49,335
28,231
142,553
-
190,771
333,324
299,809
3,591,170
2,067,145
-
5,658,315
4,426,977
1,919,255
-
-
1,919,255
1,551,396
121,436
-
-
121,436
91,005
84,681
-
-
84,681
41,472
5,716,542
2,067,145
-
7,783,687
6,110,850
5,859,095
2,067,145
190,771
8,117,011
6,410,660
(4,761,410)
433,769
4,452,893
125,252
(2,330,298)
2,368,364
-
(2,368,364)
-
-
-
-
(2,062,618)
(2,062,618)
11,697,971
(2,393,046)
433,769
21,911
(1,937,366)
9,367,673
6,271,923
105,901,602 105,370,711
217,544,236
208,176,563
3,878,877
106,335,371 105,392,622
215,606,870
217,544,236|
|---|---|
Detailed comparative information is shown in Note 19. None of the trust's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above financial year. There are no other recognised gains or losses in the above financial year.
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31st March 2025**
||**Note**|**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**|**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**|**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**|**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fixed assets**|||||||
|Tangible assets|**8**|2,068,166|103,659,715|5,618,393|111,346,274|114,053,064|
|Investments|**9**|1,438,793|2,500,000|98,809,341|102,748,134|102,042,766|
|||3,506,959|106,159,715|104,427,734|214,094,408|216,095,830|
|**Current assets**|||||||
|Debtors|**10**|
365,093|17,723|250,606|633,422|970,739|
|Cash at bank||616,169|202,647|964,575|1,783,391|1,336,430|
|||981,262|220,370|1,215,181|2,416,813|2,307,169|
|**Creditors**|||||||
|Amounts falling due
within one year|**11**|
(609,344)|(44,714)|(250,293)|(904,351)|(858,763)|
|**Net current assets / (liabilities)**||371,918|175,656|964,888|1,512,462|1,448,406|
|**Provision for liabilities &**|**charges**||||||
|Pension scheme liability|**12**|
-|-|-|-|-|
|**Net assets**||3,878,877|106,335,371|105,392,622|215,606,870|217,544,236|
|**Funds**|**14**|
3,878,877|106,335,371|105,392,622|215,606,870|217,544,236|
**Approved by the Board of Trustees on :** 17[th] July 2025
**Signed on its behalf by:**
**Trustee Trustee**
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## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Charity Balance Sheet at 31st March 2025**
|||**General and**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**designated**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
||**Note**|
**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**|||||||
|Tangible assets|**8**|1,900,346|104,336,645|5,618,393|111,855,384|114,590,671|
|Investments|**9**|1,707,368|2,600,000|91,219,931|95,527,299|94,552,848|
|||3,607,714|106,936,645|96,838,324|207,382,683|209,143,519|
|**Current assets**|||||||
|Debtors|**10**|360,826|7,317|3,543,835|3,911,978|4,270,633|
|Cash at bank||288,974|-|-|288,974|850,012|
|||649,800|7,317|3,543,835|4,200,952|5,120,645|
|**Creditors**|||||||
|Amounts falling due|||||||
|within one year|**11**|(609,344)|-|-|(609,344)|(649,459)|
|**Net current assets**||40,456|7,317|3,543,835|3,591,608|4,471,186|
|**Provision for liabilities and**|**charges**||||||
|Pension scheme liability|
**12**|-|-|-|-|-|
|**Net assets**||3,648,170|106,943,962|100,382,159|210,974,291|213,614,705|
|**Funds**||3,648,170|106,943,962|100,382,159|210,974,291|213,614,705|
|**Approved by the Board of**|**Trustees on :**||17thJuly 2025||||
**Signed on its behalf by:**
**Trustee Trustee**
13
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Consolidated Cashflow statement for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|||**2025**|||**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**||**£**|**£**|
|**Net cash flow from operating activities**||308,482|||(3,858,250)|
|**Returns on investments and servicing of finance**||2,380,231|||2,412,389|
|**Capital expenditure and financial investment**||||||
|Payments to acquire investments|(5,345,640)||(2,641,638)|||
|Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets|(1,946,112)|||(704,006)||
|Receipts from sale of investments|5,050,000|||4,178,992||
|Net movement in cashflows attributable to||||||
|endowment fund investments|190,771|||211,314||
|||(2,050,981)|||1,044,662|
|Net cash flow before financing||637,732|||(401,199)|
|**Financing**||||||
|Net movement in cashflows attributable to|(190,771)|||(211,314)||
|to endowment fund assets||||||
|||(190,771)|||(211,314)|
|Increase / (Decrease) in cash in the year||446,961|||(612,514)|
|**Reconciliation of net incoming resources to net cashflow from operating activities**||||||
|||**2025**|||**2024**|
|Net Incoming resources||125,252|||(2,330,298)|
|Decrease / (Increase) in debtors||337,317|||(241,931)|
|(Decrease) / Increase in creditors||45,588|||(1,080,895)|
|Depreciation||2,180,556|||2,207,262|
|Investment income||(2,380,231)|||(2,412,389)|
|**Net cash flow from operating activities**||308,482|||(3,858,250)|
|**Analysis of changes in net cash resources**||||||
||**At 1st April**|**Cashflow**||
**At**|**31st March**|
||**2024**||||**2025**|
|Cash at bank and net cash|£1,336,430||446,961||£1,783,391|
14
**1 Accounting policies**
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
The Centre is a Charitable Trust registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information page of these financial statements.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
## **a) Accounting convention**
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
## **b) Income recognition**
- All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example, the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.
No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. Further detail is given in the Trustees' Annual Report.
For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed. Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares and property. It includes dividends, interest and rent. Where it is not practicable to identify investment management costs incurred within a scheme with reasonable accuracy the investment income is reported net of these costs. It is included when the amount can be measured reliably.
Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend and rent income is recognised as the charity's right to receive payment is established.
15
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Accounting policies (continued)**
## **c) Donations**
Benefactions for endowment, research grants and donations for earmarked purposes are allocated to appropriate funds and similarly related expenditure is charged directly to these funds. Donated goods and services are included at cost or fair value at the time of donation. All donations are taken into account when receivable.
## **d) Depreciation**
Depreciation of buildings and fixed assets is calculated using rates and bases which are appropriate to the useful lives of the assets and their residual values and were as follows:
Freehold land and buildings Nil Centre building 2% Straight line Furniture and equipment 15% Reducing balance Computers 33.33% Straight line
Freehold property is shown at cost less depreciation.
The Trustees carry out an annual assessment of the properties to consider any indication of impairment.
The leasehold property used in the charity's operations is depreciated evenly over the remaining life of the lease. Leasehold property held for investment is not depreciated, but included at market value.
## **e) Taxation**
As a registered charity, the Charity is exempt within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
## **f) Tangible Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets costing over £500 are capitalised.
Leasing rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.
## **g) Realised and unrealised gains and losses**
On the sale of investments, realised gains and losses are accounted for in the appropriate funds. At the year end all investments held are valued at fair value and unrealised gains and losses on revaluation are recognised in the appropriate funds.
## **h) Foreign currencies**
Assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange gains and losses are written off to revenue in the year and arise purely from normal currency conversion transactions.
16
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Accounting policies (continued)**
## **i) Investments**
Quoted investments are valued at their fair value.
Investment properties are valued at fair value. Any aggregate surplus is recognised in the appropriate Funds.
No depreciation is provided in respect of the freehold investment property; the trustees consider the accounting policy results in the accounts giving a true and fair view.
## **j) Investment income**
Dividend income is accounted for on the basis of the dividends received.
## **k) Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred at the transaction price.
Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. The Trustees consider that all the expenditure is charitable expenditure in accordance with the objects of the charity as laid down within the Trust Deed. All costs have been directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **l) Grants payable or receivable**
Grants payable or receivable are recognised in the accounts as and when they become due for payment or receipt. Income is deferred when sums are received in advance for the accounting period to which they relate. Where they are recognised in the financial statements, gifts in kind or donated services are included at fair value on the date of receipt.
## **m) Group Financial Statements**
These financial statements consolidate the results of the Charity and its subsidiary undertakings on a line by line basis. A separate statement of financial activities for the charity is not presented because the Charity has taken advantage of the provisions of paragraph 397 of the SORP. The charity balance sheet is presented as part of the financial statements.
## **n) Pension costs**
The Centre participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme ("the USS") and the University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme ("the OSPS") on behalf of its staff. Both schemes are contributory defined benefit schemes (i.e. they provide benefits based on length of service and pensionable salary). The assets of USS and OSPS are each held in separate trustee administered funds.
Both schemes are multi-employer schemes and the Centre is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of each scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis. Therefore, as required by FRS 102, the Centre accounts for the schemes as if they were defined contribution schemes.
17
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Accounting policies (continued)**
Both schemes have in previous years put in place agreements for additional contributions to fund their past service deficits. In accordance with the provisions of FRS 102, when required, the Centre has recognised a liability for the future contributions that it estimates will be payable as a result of these deficit funding agreements, although as at the 2025 year end any liability for any such contributions is deemed trivial and thus reduced to nil.
## **o) Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the benefactor. Endowment funds represent capital donations held by the charity. Income derived from these funds is credited to the general and designated funds.
## **p) Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the Centre to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **q) Critical accounting judgements**
FRS 102 makes the distinction between a group plan and a multi-employer scheme. A group plan consists of a collection of entities under common control typically with a sponsoring employer.
A multi-employer scheme is a scheme for entities not under common control and represents (typically) an industry-wide scheme such as that provided by USS and OSPS. The accounting for a multi-employer scheme where the employer has entered into an agreement with the scheme that determines how the employer will fund a deficit results in the recognition of a liability for the contributions payable that arise from the agreement (to the extent that they relate to the deficit) and the resulting expense is recognised in income or expenditure. The Trustees are satisfied that the schemes provided by USS and OSPS meet the definition of a multi-employer scheme and has therefore recognised the discounted fair value of the contractual contributions under the funding plan in existence at the date of approving the financial statements, albeit this liability figure is deemed nil at the 2025 year end. Full details are provided in note 15 to the accounts.
## **r) Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year include:
i) property valuations - with professional valuations obtained periodically, in the interim periods management and trustees review and consider whether any impairment is required to functional property, or revaluation to investment property. Total property assets at the year end were c£136m (2024: £136m).
18
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Accounting policies (continued)**
- **s) Maintenance of premises**
The cost of routine corrective maintenance is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period it is incurred.
## **t) Provisions**
Provisions are recognised when the Centre has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the obligation.
- **u) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year** Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
## **v) Impairment**
- Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease.
## **w) Leases**
Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|2,082,191|1,951,102|
|Social security costs|208,860|194,028|
|Pension costs|224,927|261,161|
|Defined benefit schemes - Pension provision|-|(857,000)|
|Consultancy, Recruitment and agency costs etc.|181,982|129,165|
||2,697,960|1,678,456|
There were no outstanding or prepaid pension contributions at 31st March 2025 (2024: Nil).
The trustees received no remuneration during the year. A professional indemnity insurance of £7,130 (2024: £6,366) was paid in respect of the Trustees.
During the year no trustees were reimbursed for travel related costs (2024: £4,624).
Under the University scale A20 two employees are paid the professorial rate of £79,245 (2024: three at £77,312).
**2 Staff costs comprise**
19
**3 Average number of employees**
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
Another employee was paid at this rate from April-June 2024 inclusive during the current financial year.
In addition one employee also receives a distinction award £93,962 (2024: £91,670), Schedule I allowance £26,730 (2024 £26,078) and contributions to the pension fund of £29,084 (2024: £37,822).
The total remuneration paid to the key management personnel in the year was £547,468 (2024: £562,714).
The average number of employees of the Centre excluding Trustees on a full time equivalent basis was as follows.
|ws.|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2025**||**2024**||
|Centre||46||34|
|Teaching and research||13||13|
|Projects||2||2|
|Publications||2||2|
|Development||3||2|
|||66||53|
## **4**
## **Net income**
This is stated after charging
|Auditors remuneration:
Audit services
Other services
Depreciation|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
35,500
34,050
54,122
10,462
2,180,556
2,207,262|
|---|---|
**5 Charitable Activities**
|Centre
Rental income
Other|**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
237,963
176,797
192,968
251,306|
|---|---|
||430,931
428,103|
## **Investment income**
|Listed securities
Bank deposits
Rental Income|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
1,240,220
1,346,599
26,665
27,225
1,113,346
1,038,565|
|---|---|
||2,380,231
2,412,389|
**6**
20
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **7 Total expenditure**
|Centre:
Staff costs
Travel and communications
Properties & equipment running costs
Depreciation and amortisation
Legal Fees and charges
Guest expenses and common table
Administrative costs
Investment portfolio management fees:
Fellowships, scholarships and teaching:
Fellowships and Scholarships
Library costs
Seminars expenses
Publication:
Staff costs
Other costs
Cost of generating voluntary income
Video, newsletters and brochures
Conferences and special events:
Venues, travel and other costs
Development:
Staff costs
Travel
Administrative costs
Calendar
Trust administration:
Travel
Administrative costs
Total|**2025**
**2024**
**General and**
**designated**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
1,534,413
-
-
1,534,413
555,460
27,192
-
-
27,192
27,376
1,459,952
-
-
1,459,952
1,345,468
113,411
2,067,145
-
2,180,556
2,207,262
315,246
-
315,246
117,082
107,779
-
-
107,779
97,587
33,177
-
-
33,177
76,743
3,591,170
2,067,145
-
5,658,315
4,426,977
-
-
190,771
190,771
211,314
-
-
190,771
190,771
211,314
1,780,212
-
-
1,780,212
1,384,628
136,046
-
-
136,046
164,859
2,997
-
-
2,997
1,909
1,919,255
-
-
1,919,255
1,551,396
110,830
-
-
110,830
84,685
10,606
-
-
10,606
6,320
121,436
-
-
121,436
91,005
1,668
-
-
1,668
1,815
84,681
-
-
84,681
41,472
84,681
-
-
84,681
41,472
63,522
-
-
63,522
38,520
19,257
-
-
19,257
10,305
2,219
-
-
2,219
4,547
6,552
-
-
6,552
5,077
91,550
-
-
91,550
58,449
-
-
-
-
-
49,335
-
-
49,335
28,231
49,335
-
-
49,335
28,231
5,859,095
2,067,145
190,771
8,117,011
6,410,660|
|---|---|
21
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **Total expenditure (continued)**
||Total
£||||||1,668||190,771|91,550|283,989||5,658,315|||1,919,255|121,436|84,681|7,783,687||49,335|49,335||8,117,011||6,410,660|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Other
costs||||||1,668||190,771|-|192,439||140,956|||-|10,606|84,681|236,243||49,335|49,335||478,017||463,482|
||Fellowships
and
Scholarsips||||||-||-|-|-||-|||1,919,255|-|-|1,919,255||-|-||1,919,255||1,551,396|
||Professional
fees and
charges||||||-||-|-|-||315,246|||-|-|-|315,246||-|-||315,246||117,082|
||Depreciation||||||-||-|-|-||2,180,556|||-|-|-|2,180,556||-|-||2,180,556||2,207,262|
|Properties|&
Equipment
running|costs|||||-||-|-|-||1,459,952|||-|-|-|1,459,952||-|-||1,459,952||1,345,468|
||Travel &
communications||||||-||-|-|-||27,192|||-|-|-|27,192||-|-||27,192||27,376|
||Staff
Costs||||||-||-|91,550|91,550||1,534,413|||-|110,830|-|1,645,243||-|-||1,736,793||698,594|
||||Expenditure|analysis|Cost of raising funds|Cost of raising|voluntary income|Investment portfolio|management fees|Development||Charitable activities|Centre|Fellowships and|Scholarships (to|individuals)|Publications|Conferences||Governance costs|Trust administration||**Total expenditure year**|**ended 31st March 2025**|**Total expenditure year**|**ended 31st March 2024**|
22
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **8 Fixed assets**
|**Group cost:**
At 1st April 2024
Additions
Transfers to investment
property
At 31st March 2025
**Depreciation & Amortisation:**
At 1st April 2024
Charge for year
At 31st March 2025
**Net book value**
At 31st March 2025
At 31st March 2024|**Freehold**
**Land and**
**Buildings**
**Assets**
**Under**
**Construction**
**Residential**
**Properties**
**Furniture**
**and**
**Equipment**
**Total**
**£**
2,207,977
4,454,851
120,041,878
112,746,058
632,992
-
1,839,354
-
106,758
1,946,112
-
(2,472,346)
-
-
(2,472,346)|
|---|---|
||112,746,058
-
2,207,977
4,561,609
119,515,644|
||-
(3,921,669)
(5,988,814)
(2,067,145)
-
(2,067,145)
-
-
(113,411)
(2,180,556)|
||(4,134,290)
-
-
(4,035,080)
(8,169,370)|
||108,611,768
-
2,207,977
526,529
111,346,274|
||110,678,913
632,992
2,207,977
533,182
114,053,064|
|**Charity cost:**
At 1st April 2024
Additions
Transfers to investment
property
At 31st March 2025
**Depreciation & Amortisation:**
At 1st April 2024
Charge for year
At 31st March 2025
**Net book value**
At 31st March 2025
At 31st March 2024|**Freehold**
**Land and**
**Buildings**
**Assets**
**Under**
**Construction**
**Residential**
**Properties**
**Furniture**
**and**
**Equipment**
**Total**
**£**
2,209,314
4,441,605
120,585,474
113,273,066
661,489
-
2,079,940
-
106,758
2,186,698
-
(2,741,429)
-
-
(2,741,429)|
|---|---|
||113,273,066
-
2,209,314
4,548,363
120,030,743|
||-
(3,927,658)
(5,994,803)
(2,067,145)
-
(2,067,145)
-
-
(113,411)
(2,180,556)|
||(4,134,290)
-
-
(4,041,069)
(8,175,359)|
||109,138,776
-
2,209,314
507,294
111,855,384|
||111,205,921
661,489
2,209,314
513,947
114,590,671|
23
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **9 Investments**
|**Group**
**Market value**
As at 1st April 2024
Additions and transfers in
Disposals
Increase in market value
As at 31st March 2025|**Investment Portfolio**
**Investment**
**Cash reserves**
**Quoted**
**Investments**
**Total**
**£**
**Investment**
**Properties**
**Total**
**£**
1,040,755
78,604,584
79,645,339
22,397,427
102,042,766
757,670
4,569,970
5,327,640
2,490,346
7,817,986
-
(5,050,000)
(5,050,000)
-
(5,050,000)
-
(2,062,618)
(2,062,618)
-
(2,062,618)
1,798,425
76,061,936
77,860,361
24,887,773
102,748,134|
|---|---|
## **Market value of :**
UK quoted investments as at 31st March 2025 26,032,344 Overseas quoted investments as at 31st March 2025 50,029,592
Investment properties was valued at 31st March, 2025 on the basis of an Open Market Valuation by the Trustees. The cost of the Investment properties was £21,468,098.
|**Charity**
**Market value**
As at 1st April 2024
Additions and transfers in
Disposals
Increase in market value
As at 31st March 2025|**Investment Portfolio**
**Investment**
**Cash**
**reserves**
**Quoted**
**Investments**
**Unquoted**
**Investments**
**(Subsidiary**
**Companies)**
**Total**
**£**
**Investment**
**Properties**
**Total**
**£**
1,040,755
78,604,584
1,726,434
81,371,773
13,181,074
94,552,847
757,671
4,569,970
-
5,327,641
2,759,429
8,087,070
-
(5,050,000)
-
(5,050,000)
-
(5,050,000)
-
(2,062,618)
-
(2,062,618)
-
(2,062,618)|
|---|---|
||1,798,426
76,061,936
1,726,434
79,586,796
15,940,503
95,527,299|
For details concerning the subsidiary companies see note 17.
## **Market value of :**
|**value of :**||
|---|---|
|UK quoted investments as at 31st March 2025|26,032,344|
|Overseas quoted investments as at 31st March 2025|50,029,592|
Investment properties was valued at 31st March, 2025 on the basis of an Open Market Valuation by the Trustees. The cost of the Investment properties was £12,875,338.
24
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|**10**
**Debtors**
**Group**
**Charity**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
Accounts receivable
402,239
444,314
149,440
244,533
Prepayments and accrued income
213,460
505,622
213,460
505,622
Other taxes and social security
17,723
20,803
-
-
Amounts due from subsidiary
undertakings
-
-
3,549,078
3,520,478
633,422
970,739
3,911,978
4,270,633
**11**
**Liabilities**
**Amounts falling due within one year**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
Accounts payable
356,866
395,070
308,944
392,842
Accruals and deferred income
371,912
306,350
198,071
161,813
Other taxes and social security
175,573
157,343
102,329
94,804
904,351
858,763
609,344
649,459
**12**
**Provision for liabilities and charges**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
At start of year
-
-
-
-
(Credit)/Charged in the Statement of
Financial Activities
-
-
-
-
At end of year
-
-
-
-|**Group**
**Charity**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
402,239
444,314
149,440
244,533
213,460
505,622
213,460
505,622
17,723
20,803
-
-
-
-
3,549,078
3,520,478|**Group**
**Charity**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
402,239
444,314
149,440
244,533
213,460
505,622
213,460
505,622
17,723
20,803
-
-
-
-
3,549,078
3,520,478|
|---|---|---|
||633,422
970,739
3,911,978|4,270,633|
||**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
356,866
395,070
308,944
371,912
306,350
198,071
175,573
157,343
102,329|**2024**
**£**
392,842
161,813
94,804|
||904,351
858,763
609,344|649,459|
|||**2024**
**£**
-
-|
||-
-
-|-|
The above provision previously related to USS and OSPS Pension deficits - see note 15.
|**13**
**Deferred income**
Balance as at 1stApril 2023
Amount realised to incoming resources
Amount deferred in year
Balance as at 31stMarch 2024|**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
179,729
172,818
(179,729)
(172,818)
167,541
179,729|
|---|---|
||167,541
179,729|
Deferred income relates to property rental income received in advance at the year end date.
25
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|**14**|**Movements in Trust Funds**|**Movements in Trust Funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Balance at**|||||**Balance at**|
|||**1st April**
**2024**|**Incoming**
**Resources**|**Expenditure**|**Gains &**
**Losses**|**Transfers**|**31st March**
**2025**|
|||**£**|||||**£**|
|**Endowment**funds||||||||
||Fellowship & Scholarship funds 105,370,711||4,643,664|
(190,771)|(2,062,618)|(2,368,364)|105,392,622|
|||105,370,711|4,643,664|
(190,771)|(2,062,618)|(2,368,364)|105,392,622|
|**General and designated funds**||||||||
||General funds|483,797|1,097,685|
(5,859,095)|-|4,988,292|
710,679|
||Designated Fixed asset fund|2,608,154|-|
-|-|(539,988)|
2,068,166|
||Designated Marston road|||||||
||development fund|3,179,972|-|
-|-|(2,079,940)|1,100,032|
|||6,271,923|1,097,685|
(5,859,095)|-|2,368,364|
3,878,877|
|**Restricted funds**||||||||
||Building fund|105,901,602|914|
(2,067,145)|-|-|103,835,371|
||Other restricted funds|-|2,500,000|
-|-|-|
2,500,000|
|||105,901,602|2,500,914|
(2,067,145)|-|-|106,335,371|
|||||||||
|**Total funds**||217,544,234|8,242,263|
(8,117,011)|(2,062,618)|-|215,606,870|
Total funds of the charity at the balance sheet date are £210,974,291 (2024: £213,614,705). The difference in the consolidated funds is due to the effect of the subsidiary undertakings results and is reflected in the General Funds. The general funds were in surplus at the year-end by £3,648,170.
## **Comparative Movement in Trust funds for the year ended 31st March 2024**
|Endowment funds
Fellowship & Scholarship funds
General and designated funds
General funds
Designated Fixed asset fund
Designated Building
maintenance fund
Designated Marston road
development fund
Restricted funds
Building fund
Total funds|**Balance at**
**1st April**
**2023**
**£**
**Incoming**
**ResourcesExpenditure Gains &**
**Losses**
**Transfers**
**Balance at**
**31st March**
**2024**
**£**
93,858,677
2,424,933
(211,314) 11,697,971 (2,399,557) 105,370,711
93,858,677
2,424,933
(211,314) 11,697,971 (2,399,557) 105,370,711
12,444
1,453,998
(4,132,200)
-
3,149,557
483,799
1,988,126
620,028
2,608,154
750,000
-
-
-
(750,000)
-
3,600,000
200,000
-
-
(620,028)
3,179,972
6,350,570
1,653,998
(4,132,200)
-
2,399,557
6,271,925
107,967,316
1,431
(2,067,145)
-
- 105,901,602
107,967,316
1,431
(2,067,145)
-
- 105,901,602
208,176,563
4,080,362
(6,410,660) 11,697,971
- 217,544,236|
|---|---|
26
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **15 Pension commitments**
## **Universities Superannuation Scheme (“USS”)**
The pension charge for the year includes a charge of £104,162 (2024: credit of £365,722) in relation to the USS. This represents contributions of £104,162 payable to the USS, with no change in the deficit funding liability between the opening and closing balance sheet dates in the current year (2024: decreased by £500,000).
The 2023 actuarial valuation was finalised in December 2023, reporting assets of £73.1bn and liabilities of £65.7bn leaving a technical surplus of £7.4bn. As of 1st January 2024 therefore, reduced contribution rates were agreed and announced for the scheme. As a result, from this date contribution rates were reduced from 9.8% to 6.1% for employees, and from 21.1% to 14.5% for employers – which also included a substantial reduction in the level of deficit funding contributions required.
In line with FRS 102 paragraph 28.11A, the Centre no longer requires a provision at the March 2025 balance sheet date (2024: £nil) for the present value of the estimated future deficit funding element of the contributions payable under the agreement in place at year end. In determining the level of this provision it has been assumed that the Charity will continue to have a constant level of employee participation in this scheme and that the relevant earnings of these employees will increase in line with the actuary’s projected long-term salary rate increases.
A copy of the full actuarial valuation report and other further details on the scheme are available on the USS website www.uss.co.uk.
## **Oxford Staff Pension Scheme ("OSPS”)**
The pension charge for the year includes a charge of £114,543 (2024 credit of £240,449) in relation to the OSPS. This represents contributions of £114,543 payable to the OSPS with no change in the deficit funding liability between the opening and closing balance sheet dates in the current year (2023: decrease of £357,000).
The 2022 actuarial valuation of the scheme was finalised during the prior accounting year, and reported that the total assets of the scheme were £961mn, with total liabilities of £914mn – meaning a funding surplus of £47mn and a funding level of 105%. As a result of this, the level of deficit funding contributions has been substantially reduced. The next triennial valuation is due with an effective date of 31 March 2025.
In line with FRS 102 paragraph 28.11A, the Centre no longer requires a provision at the March 2025 balance sheet date for the present value of the estimated future deficit funding element of the contributions payable under this agreement. In determining the level of this provision it has been assumed that the Centre will continue to have a constant level of employee participation in this scheme and that the relevant earnings of these employees will increase in line with the actuary’s projected long-term salary rate increases.
A copy of the full actuarial valuation report and other further details on the scheme are available on the University of Oxford website http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/epp/pensions/schemes/osps/
27
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **16 Financial commitments**
At 31st March 2025, the charity had total commitments under non cancellable operating leases as detailed below:
|Operating leases which expire after more than 5 years
Operating leases which expire between 2 to 5 years
Capital Commitments at 31st March, 2025 were:
Approved and Contracted|**Land and buildings**
**2025**
**2024**
-
-|
|---|---|
||-
-|
||-
-|
## **17 Subsidiary undertakings**
The unlisted investments are two wholly owned subsidiaries, Oxcis Limited and Oxford Endeavours Limited. Oxford Endeavours Limited wholly owns two subsidiaries Oxford Real Estate Limited and Oxford Islamic Finance Limited. All of these companies are registered in England.
At the start of the year a loan of £3.42m was outstanding from Oxford Real Estate Limited, a Gift Aid donation of distributable profits is to be made to the Trust post year end. The outstanding loan at 31st March 2025 was £3,543,834. This amount is unsecured, repayable on demand and carries interest at 2%.
The results, net assets and principal activity of the companies are as follows:
||||**Profit /**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Income**|**Expenditure**|
**(Loss)**
**for the**|**Assets**|**Liabilities**|**Funds**|
||||**year**||||
|Oxcis Limited|2,047,616|(1,854,626)|
192,990|220,370|(52,031)|
168,339|
|Design & build services|||||||
|Oxford Endeavours Limited|2,179|(1,902)|
277|1,408,622|(2,222)|
1,406,400|
|Holding company|||||||
|Oxford Real Estate Limited|865,840|(116,292)|
749,548|10,747,586|(3,792,327)|6,955,259|
|Property investment &|||||||
|management|||||||
|Oxford Islamic Finance Ltd|The|company had|no financial|activity during|the year and|was dormant.|
## **18 The Charity’s own financial information**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Gross Income|7,443,803|4,009,682|
|Net incoming resources|(577,796)|(2,302,203)|
|Gains / ( Losses ) on investments|(2,062,618)|11,697,971|
28
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **19 Comparative Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2024**
|||**General and**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**designated**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total Funds**|
||**Note**|**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income From:**||||||
|Donations and gifts||1,214,494|-|25,376|1,239,870|
|**Charitable Activities**|**5**|428,103|-|-|428,103|
|**Investment income**|**6**|11,401|1,431|2,399,557|2,412,389|
|**Total income**||1,653,998|1,431|2,424,933|4,080,362|
|**Expenditure as:**||||||
|**Cost of raising funds**||||||
|Costs of raising voluntary income||1,815|-|-|1,815|
|Investment management fees||-|-|211,314|211,314|
|Development||58,449|-|-|58,449|
|Trust administration||28,231|-|-|28,231|
|||88,495|-|211,314|299,809|
|**Charitable Activities**||||||
|Centre||2,359,832|2,067,145|-|4,426,977|
|Fellowships and Scholarships||1,551,396|-|-|1,551,396|
|Publications||91,005|-|-|91,005|
|Conferences & Events||41,472|-|-|41,472|
|||4,043,705|2,067,145|-|6,110,850|
|||||||
|**Total expenditure**|**7**|4,132,200|2,067,145|211,314|6,410,660|
|**Net income / (expenses)**||(2,478,202)|(2,065,714)|2,213,619|(2,330,298)|
|**for the year before transfers**||||||
|Transfer between funds||2,399,557|-|(2,399,557)|-|
|**Gains / ( Losses ) on investment**|**assets:**|-|-|11,697,971|11,697,971|
|**Net movement in funds in year**||(78,645)|(2,065,714)|11,512,034|9,367,673|
|Total funds brought forward||6,350,570|107,967,316|93,858,677|208,176,563|
|**Total funds carried forward**|**14**|6,271,925|105,901,602|105,370,711|217,544,236|
29
## OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **for the year ended 31st March 2025**
## **20 Comparative Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st March 2024**
|||**General and**||**Endowment**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**designated**
**funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**|**funds**
**£**|**2024**
**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||
|Tangible assets|**8**|2,608,154|105,826,517|5,618,393|114,053,064|
|Investments|**9**|2,845,079|-|99,197,687|102,042,766|
|||5,453,233|105,826,517|104,816,080|216,095,830|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Debtors|**10**|577,064|20,804|372,871|970,739|
|Cash at bank||850,014|57,081|429,335|1,336,430|
|||1,427,078|77,885|802,206|2,307,169|
|**Creditors**||||||
|Amounts||||||
|falling due
within one year|**11**|(608,387)|(2,800)|(247,576)|(858,763)|
|**Net current assets /**||818,691|75,085|554,630|1,448,406|
|**(liabilities)**||||||
|**Provision for liabilities and charges**||||||
|Pension scheme|**12**|-|-|-|-|
|liability||||||
|**Net assets**||6,271,925|105,901,602|105,370,711|217,544,236|
|||||||
|**Funds**|**14**|6,271,925|105,901,602|105,370,711|217,544,236|
## **21 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions except those with Charity's subsidiaries which are covered in note 17.
## **22 Approval of accounts**
These accounts were approved at a meeting of the Trustees on the 17[th] July 2025.
30
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Marston Road, Oxford OX3 0EE, United Kingdom Telephone: 44 1865 278730 Fax: 44 1865 248942 Email: islamic.studies@oxcis.ac.uk Incorporated by Royal Charter Registered Charity No: 293072
## Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
_An institution for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world_
Annual Report 2024/25
## CONTENTS
|_Introduction_|_5_|
|---|---|
|_Chapter 1: Teaching_|_8_|
|_Chapter 2: Seminars_|_13_|
|_Chapter 4: Lectures & Roundtables_|_18_|
|_Chapter 5: Publications_|_25_|
|_Chapter 6: Research_|_28_|
|_Chapter 7: Visiting Fellowships_|_38_|
|_Chapter 8: Scholarships & Exhibitions_|_45_|
|_Chapter 9: The Young Muslim Leadership Programme_|_50_|
|_Chapter 10: External Relations_|_52_|
|_Chapter 11: Outreach_|_54_|
|_Chapter 12: The Mosque_|_57_|
|_Chapter 13: The Library_|_59_|
|_Chapter 14: The Gardens_|_63_|
|_Chapter 15: Governance_|_65_|
|_Chapter 16: Membership of the Centre_|_72_|
## INTRODUCTION
The coming year marks the 40[th] anniversary of the Centre – an occasion for reflection, celebration and renewed commitment. As I write these lines, I am reminded of the very first report that I had penned in the summer of 1986 in much modest surroundings. From the early days in a wooden hut on St Cross Road to its present permanent home on Marston Road, the Centre has benefitted immensely from the steadfast support, friendship and generosity of many well-wishers. It is with profound gratitude that I pay tribute to each and every one of them – the founding trustees, benefactors, and colleagues – who, over these four decades, have shaped the Centre into a respected academic institution at Oxford.
The Centre stands as a testament to those ideals upon which it was founded: the advancement of learning and scholarship about Islam and the Muslim world, and the promotion of dialogue and understanding between cultures and civilisations. These principles have guided our path thus far and will continue to inspire our work in the future.
During the year under review, the Centre’s academic life has continued to flourish. New colleagues have joined the Fellowship, expanding the Centre’s multi-disciplinary range: Dr Mohammed Ali Allehbi in early Islamic history and Dr Fouzia Farooq in the history of medieval South Asia. In the coming year, Professor Sir Paul Collier and Professor Robert Hillenbrand will join us as Anniversary Fellows. We are on course to making appointments that will further strengthen our scholarly capacities: a Curator to join the Library team and expedite the cataloguing of our manuscript collections; a Fellow in the History of Islamic Art and Material Culture to oversee the Exhibition Gallery; and a Fellow in Islamic Financial Markets to broaden our research and teaching in an area of increasing global significance.
The Centre’s Visiting Fellowship Programme continues to flourish. Since its inception, it has hosted over 430 scholars from more than 60 countries. This past year alone, we welcomed 24 Visiting Fellows, who greatly valued the opportunity to carry out research at a multidisciplinary institution.
The Centre’s _Journal of Islamic Studies_ , now in its 35th year of publication by Oxford University Press, is internationally recognised as a leading forum for inter-disciplinary research on Islamic civilisation. We record our sincere appreciation to Dr Jamil Qureshi who retired this summer for decades of dedicated editorial service. Dr Maria Shmygol, from the National University of Ireland Galway, has joined us as our new Publications and Special Projects Officer.
5
The year saw the publication by World Scientific Publishing of an edited volume on _Disruptive Technologies and Muslim Societies_ , co-edited by Professor Shahid Jameel and Sir David Clary of the Centre. The volume contains contributions from a wide range of authors, including several former Visiting Fellows. The publication of Dr Moin Nizami’s monograph, on _Haji Imdadullah_ (Oxford University Press) is imminent. It promises to shed fresh light on a central figure in nineteenth-century South Asian Islamic thought.
The Centre’s contribution to teaching across the University has grown. Centre Fellows were associated with Faculties of History; Theology and Religion; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Department of International Development; and the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies. Arabic language instruction continued and short courses on _Islam, Faith, and Culture_ , _Islamic Finance_ , and _Economic Development_ were also offered.
The Centre’s distinguished lecture series and seminars continue to attract eminent speakers across disciplines from around the world. This year we welcomed Sheikh Mohammed Maamoun El Kacimi (Rector of the Great Mosque of Algiers), Dr Tawfig Al-Rabiah (Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Mr Miguel Moratinos (United Nations UnderSecretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations), and Professor Philippe Sands KC (University College, London). The annual _Keith Griffin Lecture_ was delivered by Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, on _A New Economics for Neglected Places_ . The _Sultan Azlan Shah Lecture_ was delivered by the Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, former President of the Supreme Court, on _Threats to the Rule of Law_ . The Centre’s seminar series continues to cover a range of disciplines, featuring distinguished speakers such as Sir John Jenkins (Former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia), Sir Peter Gross (former Lord Justice of Appeal), and Dame Rosalind Marsden (former European Union Special Representative for Sudan). The Centre was honoured to receive visits from The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, and Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
The Centre’s project on _Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies_ has developed a partnership with the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at Boston University, United States. This collaboration explores the moral dimensions of climate action and the role of faith-based values in promoting positive environmental behaviour. Under the auspices of this partnership, a second roundtable was organised at Boston University on 19–20 September 2024 (the first having taken place earlier in the year). British Academy funding has been secured for a conference on _Faith and Climate Change_ . It will bring to the Centre leading scholars, policymakers, and faith leaders.
The Centre’s Young Muslim Leadership Programme, now in its twentieth year, once again gathered a talented and diverse group of participants from across the UK and from a variety of career backgrounds, including the civil service, medicine, law and business. We are grateful to the speakers at the Programme who generously shared their insights and experience. They
6
included, among others, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Michael Binyon OBE, Professor Sariya Cheruvallill-Contractor, Mr Kawsar Zaman, Alderman of the City of London, and Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC.
The Centre’s Library collection has grown and it attracts an increasing number of readers. Significant progress has been made in cataloguing special holdings.
A major highlight of the year has been the launch of an exhibition on _Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World_ , developed in partnership with Oxford’s History of Science Museum. The exhibition has been accompanied by public lectures, workshops, and guided tours, bringing the wonders of Islamic scientific heritage to new audiences. The appeal of the exhibition has been significantly enhanced by the addition of several valuable manuscripts on astrolabes, which have been loaned to the Centre by the Qatar National Library.
The Centre’s Mosque attracts worshippers from across Oxford and beyond. For Ramadan and Eid prayers it operated at full capacity. Its educational and outreach activities have also continued to grow.
The Centre has established new pathways for future local, national, and international cooperation. It has signed memoranda of understanding with The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH), the Center for Islamic Civilization (Tashkent, Uzbekistan), and the Islamic University of Madina Munawwara (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Discussions for institutional collaboration continue with Umm al-Qura University, Makka Mukarrama.
To mark the 40[th] Anniversary a number of commemorative activities are underway. In addition to the establishment of two Anniversary Fellowships, the Chevening Fellowships programme has been enhanced and some special events are planned in the Gulf and Southeast Asia. Our coat of arms, recently granted by the College of Arms in London, has also been unveiled.
The 40[th] anniversary celebrations will begin with a Royal visit from our Patron. For over three decades His Majesty King Charles III has provided great encouragement and support to the Centre. To honour his longstanding patronage, the Centre is establishing the King Charles III Programme for Inter-civilizational Understanding and Dialogue. The programme will be housed in a dedicated part of our building which has been named after the Patron.
The Centre's progress over the past four decades is a cause for optimism and hope for the future. I am confident that, with the guidance of its Trustees and the dedication of its Fellows and staff, the Centre will long continue to promote good scholarship and foster mutual understanding at home and abroad.
Farhan Nizami Director
7
_Chapter One_
## TEACHING
T he and contemporary Muslim societies through the following Fellowships: Centre continues to promote multi-disciplinary study of the culture and civilisation of Islam
The King Charles III Fellowship The Nelson Mandela Fellowship The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Fellowship The King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Fellowship
The Kuwait Fellowship The King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Fellowship The Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Fellowship The Albukhary Foundation Fellowship The Sultan Qaboos bin Said Fellowship The Globe Fellowship The Tun Abdul Razak Fellowship The Mohamed Noah Fellowship The Sultan Azlan Shah Fellowship The Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellowship The Hamad bin Jassim Research Fellowship The Azman Hashim Fellowship The Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Fellowship The Salahuddin Abdul Jawad Research Fellowship The Tun Mahathir Mohamad Research Fellowship The Xenel (Turkey) Research Fellowship
8
The following held Fellowships at the Centre during the year:
- Dr Afifi al-Akiti, Kuwait Fellow in Islamic Studies; Islamic Centre Lecturer in the Faculty of Theology and Religion; Member, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Fellow, Worcester College, Oxford
- Dr Mohammed Ali Allehbi, Mohammed Noah Research Fellow
- Dr Fouzia Farooq Ahmed, Atlas Research Fellow
- Maulana Ibrahim Amin, Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Fellow; Muslim Chaplain, University of Oxford
- Professor Sir David Clary, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Fellow; Honorary Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford
- Professor Shahid Jameel, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Fellow; Fellow, Green Templeton College, Oxford
- Professor Adeel Malik, Globe Fellow in the Economies of Muslim Societies; Associate Professor and Islamic Centre Lecturer, Department of International Development; Senior Research Fellow, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
- Professor Muhammad Meki, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Fellow in Islamic Finance; Associate Professor and Islamic Centre Lecturer in Islamic Finance, Department of International Development, University of Oxford
- Dr Asma Mustafa, Salahuddin Abdul Jawad Fellow; Senior Research Fellow, Linacre College, Oxford
- Dr Adil Najam, Tun Mahathir Mohamad Fellow; President WWF-International; Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth and the Environment, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
- Dr Farhan Nizami CBE, The King Charles III Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford
- Dr Moin Nizami, Tun Abdul Razak Fellow; Associate Member, Faculty of History, University of Oxford
- Baroness Hale of Richmond, Sultan Azlan Shah Fellow; Honorary Fellow, Mansfield College, Oxford
- Dr Muhammad Sami, Albukhary Foundation Fellow; Islamic Studies Lector, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford
9
## ARABIC LECTOR
Mrs Sara Youssef, BA (Al-Azhar), MA (AUC) _Kuwait Lector in Arabic_
## TEACHING IN OXFORD UNIVERSITY FACULTIES
Fellows have been associated with the following Faculties and Departments of the University of Oxford:
Faculty of History Faculty of Theology and Religion Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Oxford Department of International Development (QEH) Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA)
THE CENTRE AND OXFORD COLLEGES
Fellows have membership of the following Colleges:
Green Templeton Professor Shahid Jameel Lady Margaret Hall Professor Adeel Malik Linacre Dr Asma Mustafa Magdalen Sir David Clary; Dr Farhan Nizami Mansfield Baroness Hale of Richmond Pembroke Professor Muhammad Meki Worcester Dr Afifi al-Akiti
## CENTRE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNIVERSITY
During the year under review the Centre maintained and extended its contribution to the academic life of the University in the following ways:
1. Teaching: Centre Fellows lectured and gave tutorials to students studying for MPhil, MSc, MSt and DPhil degrees at the University. From October 2024, an optional course for MPhil studies on _Themes in Contemporary Muslim Societies_ was offered through Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) by Professor Adeel Malik. A core module on _Microeconomic Theory_ for MSc in Economics for Development was taught by Professor Muhammad Meki. In the Faculty of Theology and Religion, Dr Afifi Al-Akiti and Dr Muhammad Sami continued to teach at graduate and undergraduate levels.
2. Seminars and conferences: Oxford academics participated in the Centre’s termly seminar series and conferences.
3. Visiting Fellowships: Resident Visiting Fellows of the Centre contributed to the academic life at Oxford.
10
4. Scholarships and Exhibitions: During the year under review, the Centre provided 20 full scholarships and 10 exhibitions to students studying for Oxford degrees. At the time of writing, 9 scholarships and 7 exhibitions have been offered for the next academic year.
5. Library: The Library remained open throughout the academic year and was accessed by over a thousand Bodleian card holders.
6. Mosque: The Centre’s Mosque regularly welcomed Muslim members of the University. The Mosque also organises an annual Freshers’ Dinner. As a member of the University’s Chaplaincy Forum, the Imam met termly with other chaplains to discuss student pastoral care and welfare needs.
## COURSES AT THE CENTRE
Beyond the regular teaching by Fellows in the different Faculties and Departments of the University of Oxford, the following courses, open to all, were organised at the Centre.
Qur’anic Arabic
Regular classes for the study of Qur’anic recitation _(tajwid)_ were provided by Shaykh Muhammad Sahil.
Essentials of Islamic Worship
Regular classes for practical introductions to Islamic worship were provided by Shaykh Muhammad Sahil.
Modern Standard Arabic
Regular classes at beginner and intermediate levels were taught by Mrs Sara Youssef.
Astrolabe Study Day
This study day with Dr Taha Arslan, Dr Stephen Johnston and Dr Silke Ackermann was a hands-on accompaniment to the exhibition on _Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of Astrolabe in the Islamic World_ . It provided an opportunity to learn how the astrolabe embodies science, religion, art and craft in one exquisite object.
The Abjad Numerals
In association with the _Lines of Faith_ exhibition, artist and scholar Joumana Medlej led a workshop on the _abjad_ numeral system.
Islam: Faith and Culture
An introductory course on Islam as a way of life, religion and culture, and its impact on Muslim individuals and societies was taught by Dr Afifi al-Akiti and Dr Muhammad Sami.
11
Islamic Finance and Economic Development
This two-day course, taught by Professor Muhammad Meki, focused on the role of Islamic finance in fostering financial inclusion and economic development.
12
## _Chapter Two_
## SEMINARS
The following Centre Seminars and Fellows’ Seminars were delivered during the academic year 2024–25.
## Michaelmas Term 2024
Centre Seminars
Dr Timothy Cooper (Cambridge University)
_Moral Atmospheres: Islam and Media in a Marketplace_
Sir John Jenkins (Formerly UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia)
_History and the Modern Middle East: Do Policy Makers need a Sense of the Past?_
## Sir Peter Gross (Former Lord Justice of Appeal)
_English Judges in Muslim Countries: Synergies and Sensitivities in Promoting the Rule of Law_
Professor Tomáš Halik (Charles University, Prague)
_Engaging with the Contemporary World: A Multi-Religious Perspective_
Fellows’ Seminars
Professor Adil Najam (Boston University)
_Islam and Climate Change: Can Faith Influence Better Climate Behaviour?_
Professor Lu Xia (Xiamen University)
_Reunification Road: A Comparative Study on Vietnam, Germany and Yemen_
Dr Hakime Yasar (Izmir Katip Celebi University)
_Majaz (Figurative Language) in Action: Exploring Majaz in Islamic Law Through Practical Examples_
Dr Ziyaad Mahomed (INCEIF)
_Sustainable and Responsible Investment Sukuk: Lessons from Khazanah Sukuk Ihsan_
Dr Marion Breteau (American University of Kuwait)
_Connectivity and Migration in the Gulf States: A Study of TikTok Affordances among Foreign Domestic Workers_
## Dr Sarah Hopkyns (University of St Andrews)
_Muslim Students’ Identities and Belonging in English-Medium Multilingual University Settings_
13
Dr Zilola Khalilova (Institute of Oriental Studies, Uzbek Academy of the Sciences) _The Landscape of Islamic Education in 20th Century Uzbekistan_
Economics & Human Development Stream
Dr Ali Cheema (LUMS)
_Norms and Gender Inequality: Pathways and Limitations to Change in a Muslim Context_
Professor Dominic Rohner (HEC Lausanne)
_The Peace Formula: Breaking the Conflict Trap_
Project on Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies
Dr Murad Banaji (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford) _COVID-19 in India: Epidemic, Inequality and Propaganda_
Dr Suzanne Bartington (University of Birmingham) _Air Quality in Oxford: Past, Present and Future_
Hilary Term 2025
Centre Seminars
Professor Scott Williamson (University of Oxford) _Monarchy and Mass Politics in the Middle East_
Mr Simon Anholt (Anholt & Co.) _The Sun Sets in the West: The Battle for Soft Power in a Multipolar World_
Dr Taha Arslan (Istanbul Medeniyet University) _Mirror of the Universe: The Evolution of the Astrolabe_
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui (University of Oxford) _Social, Cultural and Political Determinants of Riots_
Dr Adnan Khan (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) _Economic Diversification, State Fragility, and Development in Muslim Societies_
Professor Azfar Moin (University of Texas, Austin) _Coinage of Mughal South Asia and the Muslim Chain of Being_
Professor Frank Griffel (University of Oxford) _How to Study Arabic and Islamic Philosophy? Once Again about al-Ghazali and Descartes_
Dame Rosalind Marsden (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) _Reflections on the War in Sudan_
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Fellows’ Seminars
Dr Adelbert Finch (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies) _Exploring Shaikh Ibrāhīm Niasse’s Bestowal as an Alternative Theory of Knowledge and Being and the Possibility of a New ‘Phenomenology’ of Religion_
Professor Maged Shebaita (Tashkent State University of Law) _The Interaction between General Principles of Islamic Law and Transnational Law in Contractual Dispute Resolution_
Dr Hayati Ismail (Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia) _Enhancing Holistic Development: A Framework for Nurturing Gifted and Talented Muslim Students_
Dr Imran Hashmi (University of Oxford) _Building Digital Twins of the Two Holy Mosques for Complex Problem Solving and Sustainable Development_
Dr Tahir Yildiz (Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı)
_The Logic of Founding Authority in Islamic Political Thought: Islamic Understanding of Sovereignty_
Dr Fatima Kadic (University of Sarajevo) _Neither of the East nor of the West: Tree Motif on the Prayer Rug/Sajjada_
Dr Mohammed Allehbi (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies) (with contributions from Dr Ziyaad Mahomed, Professor Maged Shebaita and Dr Tahir Yildiz)
_Reforming Justice in Early Islamic History — Reflections from Text and Context Perspectives_
Dr Idris Bedirhanoglu (Dicle University)
_The Hidden Key Reasons Behind the Failure of Historical Masonry Structures in the Recent February 6 Earthquake in East Turkey_
Chevening Alumni Seminar
Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma (University of Edinburgh)
_Mecca in Morocco: Studying the Socio-Cultural Embeddedness of Pilgrimage in Muslim Everyday Life_
Humanities Stream
Dr Abbas Panakkal (University of St Andrews) _Musaliar King: Decolonial Historiography of Malabar Resistance_
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Trinity Term 2025
Centre Seminars
Professor Sevket Pamuk (Bogaziçi University)
_Political Economy and Economic Institutions of the Ottoman Empire in Comparative Perspective_
Professor Christophe Jaffrelot (Kings College London) _Beyond Castes and Regions: The Socio-Economic Decline of Muslims in Contemporary India_
Mr Jon Wilks (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies) _The State of the World and the UK’s Place in It_
Dr Michael Callen (London School of Economics) _Building State Capacity in Fragile States_
Professor Blain Auer (University of Lausanne) _The Origins of Perso-Islamic Courts and Empires in India_
Professor Anoush Ehteshami (Durham University) _Iran’s Crisis of Governance_
Professor Chouki El Hamel (Arizona State University) _Black Morocco: The Silenced Ancestry_
Fellows’ Seminars
Dr Yusuf Oldac (Hong Kong Lingnan University) _Global Knowledge Production and the Muslim World: A Focus on Social Sciences and Humanities_
Dr Sabba Mirza (University of South Denmark) _The Danish Criminal Code: Criminalising Retention in Muslim-only Marriages: Symbolic Policy or a Legal Reality?_
Dr Alexandra Cotofana (Zayed University) _Atmospheric Epistemologies: Competing Knowledge-making Practices and Cloud Seeding in the UAE_
Dr Muhammad Naseem (Zayed University) _Decarbonization, Eudaimonia, and Faith: Emerging Trends in Pro-Climate Behavioural Design_
Dr Nagihan Dogan (Hacettepe University) _‘Ahd Ardashīr’: A ‘Bestseller’ of Medieval Arabic Literature_
Dr Ayesha AlKetbi (Zayed University)
_The Humanities of Donating Human Organs and Tissues in Islamic Jurisprudence_
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Dr Chouki El Hamel (Arizona State University) _Unshackling the Past: Slavery, Marronage, and the Fight for Freedom in Morocco (18[th] and 20[th] Centuries)_
Dr Vincent Biondo (California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt) _Islam, Charity, and the State_
Economics & Human Development Stream
Professor Mushfiq Mobarak (Yale University) _Unpacking the 2024 Student Revolution in Bangladesh_
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## _Chapter Three_
## LECTURES & ROUNDTABLES
The Centre’s Distinguished Visiting Lecturer Programme continues to bring leading public figures to Oxford to speak on major issues of current concern. During the year under review, the following lectures were given:
Mr Miguel Ángel Moratinos (Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations)
_The Role of the UNAOC in a Multipolar World_
Professor Philippe Sands (University College, London)
_On Genocide: Then and Now_
Lord Neuberger (Former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom) _Threats to the Rule of Law_ Sultan Azlan Shah Lecture
Professor Sir Paul Collier (University of Oxford) _Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places_ Keith Griffin Lecture
During the year under review, the Centre organised a number of roundtables:
1. Roundtable with the Securities Commission Malaysia on _Restoring Humanity in Finance_
The 15[th] annual SC–OCIS Roundtable on Islamic Finance took place on 7–8 September 2024 at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), co-hosted by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). This year’s theme, _Restoring Humanity in Finance_ , brought together academics, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how finance can be reoriented to better serve society and its moral foundations.
The opening session featured remarks by Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia, and Dr Farhan Nizami. A special address was delivered by HRH Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Sultan of Perak, who underscored the critical need for businesses to take responsibility for their societal and environmental impacts.
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The keynote presentation was delivered by Professor Mihir A Desai of the Harvard Business School, who argued that restoring a human dimension to finance requires a return to its moral and philosophical roots. Drawing from his book, _The Wisdom of Finance_ , Professor Desai made the case that finance—defined as the management of resources over time—has always involved trust, uncertainty and stewardship, and therefore already carries an inherent moral character. He cautioned against viewing finance purely through spreadsheets and models, advocating instead for the reintroduction of the humanities—especially storytelling and ethical reasoning—into financial thought and education.
In a compelling critique of the current financial system, Professor Desai urged greater attention to demand-side issues, highlighting how public misunderstanding and short-term thinking drive unhealthy financial behaviours. He called for better financial education that fosters long-term thinking and responsible savings and investment practices. The session also included responses by Dr Azrul Azlan Iskandar Mirza (Securities Commission Malaysia) and Mr Omar Shaikh (Global Ethical Finance Initiative), who reflected on the practical implications of Professor Desai’s arguments for Islamic finance and ethical financial reform.
Later sessions explored a range of timely topics, including the integration of _Maqasid al-Shariah_ (the higher objectives of Islamic law) in financial institution practices, the role of Islamic social finance in addressing global equity challenges, and the need to develop robust methodologies for measuring outcomes of sustainable and impact-driven finance. Presentations highlighted practical efforts to embed values-based frameworks in finance, featuring speakers from institutions such as CIMB Islamic, Standard Chartered Saadiq, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
The conference concluded with a synthesis of recommendations by the session rapporteurs and closing remarks by Professor Muhammad Meki, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Fellow in Islamic Finance at the Centre, who chaired the final session. The discussions throughout reaffirmed the conference’s central message: for finance to truly serve humanity, it must be grounded in ethics, long-term stewardship, and a deep sense of shared responsibility.
## 2. Roundtable with Boston University on _Faith and Climate Change_
The Centre and the Pardee Center for the Longer-Range Future at Boston University, USA, are collaborating in a future-oriented, interdisciplinary, and structured research initiative to explore the moral dimensions of climate action and the possible role of faith-based values in encouraging positive environmental and climate behaviours, particularly in the context of Islam and Muslim societies. As part of this initiative, the first roundtable was held on 27–28 May 2024 at the Centre and was reported in the 2023–24 Annual Report. The second roundtable was held in Boston, USA on 19–20 September 2024.
The roundtables explored dimensions of a possible research agenda on faith and climate change, with particular reference to Islam and Muslim societies. They brought together scholars, environmentalists and policy experts from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds to discuss the theme with focus on science, policy and behaviour. They identified a set of key research questions that will form the core of a research inquiry into faith and climate change.
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The ideas emerging from during these roundtables formed the basis of a successful funding bid to the British Academy for a conference on _Climate, Health and Faith – Understanding Science, Building Trust_ , which is scheduled to take place at the Centre on 18–19 October 2025.
3. Roundtable on _Sacred Spaces, Seamless Journeys: Transforming the Pilgrim Experience_
The Centre hosted a visit from His Excellency Dr Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for a roundtable on _Sacred Spaces, Seamless Journeys: Transforming the Pilgrim Experience_ . The keynote focused on Saudi Arabia’s enduring commitment to upholding faith, innovation, and service, with the aim of enriching the experiences of pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah.
In his address, His Excellency reflected on the challenges and opportunities presented by a fastchanging world, highlighting the importance of harnessing modern technology and digital innovation in support of the Ministry’s mission. He shared insights into the Ministry’s extensive international cooperation with over 80 countries in the development of the Electronic Hajj Pathway, designed to coordinate the pilgrimage process more efficiently. He also highlighted the role of the Nusuk Hajj Platform, which enables pilgrims from 126 countries to book and manage their journeys, alongside the use of artificial intelligence and smart cards to enhance and streamline the pilgrim experience.
The roundtable took place in the context of ongoing discussions about a potential collaborative research programme, focused on exploring possibilities for an increasingly ‘greener’ Hajj, between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Islamic University of Madina Munawwara, and the Centre. The President of the Islamic University was also present on this occasion. Discussions focused on a wide range of pressing issues such as healthcare provision, disease control, the adoption of renewable energy sources during Hajj, and educational initiatives for pilgrims. The roundtable was attended by Centre Fellows and Visiting Academics, alongside senior academics from the University as well as policymakers.
4. Roundtable on _Emir Abd El-Kader_
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Maamoun El Kacimi, Rector of the Great Mosque of Algiers, led a roundtable on the life and legacy of Emir Abd El-Kader, the nineteenth-century Algerian leader who led the struggle against the French colonial invasion of Algiers. His Excellency gave a graphic account of Emir Abd El-Kader’s life, highlighting his qualities as a fearless and tireless leader.
He emphasised Emir Abd El-Kader’s unwavering commitment to shared human values, particularly his protection of people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Equally notable was the Emir’s dedication to the pursuit of peace. The discussion following the lecture underscored that, for Emir Abd El-Kader, peace remained a deeply personal and continually renewed commitment throughout his life.
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## 5. GRADUATE COLLOQUIA
The Centre continued its programme of Graduate Colloquia designed to encourage students reading for degrees at Oxford to share their ideas and directions of research with colleagues.
During Michaelmas Term, the following presentations were made at the Colloquium:
Mr Jacob Williams, _Exhibitioner_ , Green Templeton College, reading for DPhil in Politics _Has Liberalism Failed? Religious Freedom and the Post-Liberal Challenge_
Mr Irfan Sarhindi, _Exhibitioner_ , Wolfson College, reading for DPhil in Education _Learning Islam in a Digitalised Indonesia: Making Sense of Diverse Conception and Heterogenous Space_
Ms Tabina Manzoor, Somerville College, reading for MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management
_Freshwater Springs in Kashmir: From Inventory to Water Quality Analysis_
Mr Muhammed Zeyn, _Exhibitioner_ , Somerville College, reading for DPhil in Migration Studies
_Exploring the Role of Social Media on Migrant Communities_
Ms Nosheen Basharat, Lady Margaret Hall, reading for DPhil in Education _Religion and Education in the Middle East: A Comparative and International Study_
During Hilary Term, the following presentations were made at the Colloquium:
Mr Yusuf Ahmed, Wolfson College, reading for DPhil in Education
_Tadabbur (Qur’anic Contemplation): Towards a Primordial Pedagogy to Rediscover the ‘Moral Seriousness’ of Education_
Ms Rawan Alfuraih, Keble College, reading for DPhil in Anthropology
_The Epic of Najd: Rebirth of Bodies in the New Environment of Saudi Arabian Urbanisation_
Ms Joana C McCloy, Wadham College, reading for DPhil in Politics
_How Civil Resistance Fails: The Trajectories of Resistance in the Syrian Arab Spring_
Ms Zuhaira Islam, _OCIS Scholar_ , St Antony’s College, reading for MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies
_Deoband in Transit: Exploring the Influence of the Darul-Uloom on British Muslim Communities_
Ms Sefika Trampa, _OCIS Academic Visitor_ , Istanbul University, reading for PhD in Islamic History
_From Antiquity to Islam: The Socio-Cultural Heritage of the Nabataeans_
Mr Bilal Moin, Reuben College, reading for MPhil in Economics _State Splitting and Economic Development_
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Mr Ata Adam, _OCIS Scholar_ , Somerville College, reading for DPhil in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures
_Advancing Wind Power by Understanding Wind Turbine Wake Dynamics_
6. CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS ATTENDED BY CENTRE FELLOWS
Dr Asma Mustafa
- Delivered a lecture on _Next Gen Leaders: Development and Challenges_ at the Contemporary Leadership International Summit 2025 (CLIS 2025), Sarawak, Malaysia, 11 February 2025.
- Presented a webinar on _The Role of Leadership in Fostering Inclusive Participation_ MyREF Contemporary Leadership Development Series, 9 December 2024.
Dr Mohammed Allehbi
- Presented a Paper on _Early Islamic Sovereignty in the Face of Ahl-al-Bayt_ , Institute of Ismail Studies, 20 May 2025.
Professor Adeel Malik
- Delivered the MENA Chief Economist’s Research Seminar on _Navigating Trade and Politics in the Middle East_ , Middle and Central Asia Department, International Monetary Fund, Washington DC, 8 September 2024.
- Presented a paper on _The Politics of Trade Reform in the Middle East_ , 18[th] Annual Conference on the Arab Society for Economic Research, Rabat, 28–29 November 2024.
- Delivered a Distinguished Lecture on _Navigating Trade and Politics in the Middle East_ Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, Doha, 22 October 2024.
- Delivered a lecture on _Middle East’s Crisis of Integration_ , Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Doha, 23 October 2024.
- Participated in a Panel Discussion at the conference on _Rethinking Economics in the Contemporary World_ , Institute of Business Administration, University of Karachi, 9–10 December 2024.
- Presented a paper on _Irrigation and Inequality_ , at the Pathways to Development Conference, Lahore University of Management Science, 16–18 December 2024.
- Delivered a keynote speech on _Pakistan’s Political Economy of Reform_ , at the Civil Services Academy, Lahore, 17 December 2024.
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- Delivered a lecture on _Frontier Rule and Conflict_ , at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, 24 December 2024.
- Presented a paper on _Irrigation and Inequality_ , Political Economy Seminar Series, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 12 February 2025.
- Attended the Inaugural IMF-MENA Annual Research Conference, Cairo, 18–19 May 2025.
## Professor Shahid Jameel
- Delivered a lecture on _Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies_ , at the Annual Saudi Student Research Conference, 30 July 2024.
- Participated in an online meeting of the World Health Organization’s ‘Trust Initiative’ and the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), 22 August 2024.
- Participated in the Annual Meeting of Ignite Life Science Foundation, Mumbai, India, 11– 12 September 2024.
- Participated in the Roundtable on _Faith and Climate Change_ , Boston University, USA, 19– 20 September 2024.
- Participated in the Guha Research Conference, Kaziranga, India,5–9 November 2024.
- Participated in a Panel Discussion on _Litigate, Innovate, Economise or Pray? Climate Action from Multiple Angles_ , Oxfordshire Greentech Climate Solutions Conference – Ashes to Action, Oxford, 10 June 2025.
Dr Muhammad Meki
- Presented a paper on _Small Firm Investment under Uncertainty: The Role of Equity Finance_ , at the
- University of Chicago, April 2025;
- IFC Washington DC, April 2025;
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, April 2025;
- British International Investment, September 2024;
- World Bank, September 2024;
- Georgetown University, September 2024; and
- HEC Paris September 2024.
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- Presented a paper on _Finance and Mutuality: Experimental Evidence on Credit with Performance-contingent Repayment_ , American Finance Association (AFA) Annual meeting, San Francisco, January 2025.
- Presented literature review on _Microfinance_ , UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), November 2024.
Dr Muhammad Sami
- Presented a paper on _Justified Differentiation in Islamic Legal Philosophy_ , Variants of Justice in the Ancient World, Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge, September 2024.
- Presented a paper on _Pictorial Demonstration in Jami_ , Philosophy and Poetics Conference, All Souls College, Oxford, November 2024.
- Presented a paper on _Sufism and the Humane Approach to Philosophy_ , Interdisciplinary Seminar in the Study of Religions, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford, March 2025.
- Presented a paper on _AI and the Necessity of Philosophy_ , Tabah Foundation, Abu Dhabi, April 2025.
- Participated in a conference on _Philosophy of Mind in Islamic Thought_ , Pembroke College, Cambridge, May 2025.
- Presented a paper on _A Philosophical lingua franca Among Other Things: an Islamic Response to a Christian Vision of Participation in God_ , Modern Theology Seminar, Campion Hall, University of Oxford, June 2025.
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## _Chapter Four_
## PUBLICATIONS
The _Civilization_ Centre’s publications include 1) series; and 3) publications by individual Centre Fellows and members. _Journal of Islamic Studies_ ; 2) the _Makers of Muslim_
1 THE JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC STUDIES
The _Journal_ , published for the Centre by Oxford University Press since 1990, places the study of Islam and Muslim societies in global context.
Volume 35, Number 3, September 2024
Articles:
Pedro Jiménez-Castillo, with José L. Simón García and José Mª Moreno Narganes, _The Rural Mosque Uncovered in the Andalusi Village of La Graja (Eleventh Century CE)_
Arjun Nair, _Poetry and Sufi Commentary: A Case of/for Religious Reading in Premodern Sufism_
Gianni Izzo, _Grief and Loss in Shīʿī Thought: Zayn al-Dīn al-ʿĀmilī’s (d. 1559)_ Musakkin al-Fuʾād
The Book Review section contained 17 reviews.
Volume 36, Number 1, January 2025
Articles:
Tareq Moqbel, _The Apodotic_ Wāw _in Qurʾānic Arabic_
Han Hsien Liew, _‘The Caliphate will last for thirty years’: Polemic and Political Thought in the Afterlife of a Prophetic Ḥadīth_
Joas Wagemakers, _How do you Solve a Problem like_ Jāhiliyya _? The Struggle over Sayyid Quṭb’s Legacy among Jordanian Muslim Brothers_
The Book Review section contained 15 reviews.
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Volume 36, Number 2, May 2025
Articles:
Nurullah Ardıç and Mustafa Macit Karagözoğlu, _Genre Analysis and Religious Texts: A Methodological Model of Ḥadīth Commentary_
Ali Ahmad Hussein, _An Ancient Arabian War (Ḥarb al-Basūs) as Reflected in Classical Arabic Poetry_
Marc Czarnuszewicz, _New Insights into Sistani Intellectual Culture under the Saffarids_
The Book Review section contained 15 reviews.
- 2 THE MAKERS OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Moin Ahmad Nizami, _Haji Imdadullah_ , Oxford University Press, (2025).
Forthcoming titles
Mustansir Mir, _Mawdudi_
- 3 PUBLICATIONS BY CENTRE MEMBERS
Shahid Jameel and David C. Clary, (eds.), _Disruptive Technologies and Muslim Societies – From AI and Education to Food and Fintech_ , World Scientific Publishing (2025).
Articles
Mohammed Allehbi and Caferro William, ‘‘They are like your Arabs’: Giovanni Villani on Ibn Khaldun’s Tunis (The Ḥafṣid Civil War)’, _Renaissance Quarterly_ (2025)
Adeel Malik and Maya Tudor, ‘Pakistan's Coming Crisis’, _Journal of Democracy_ , 35(3): 69-83 (2024)
Adeel Malik, Rinchan Ali Mirza, and Faiz-ur-Rehman, ‘Frontier Rule and Conflict’, CSAE Working Paper 2025/1, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 2025.
Adeel Malik, Ali Al-Saffar and Abeer Elshennawy, ‘The Political Economy of Energy Transitions in MENA’, Policy Research Report 60, Economic Research Forum, Cairo, Egypt, (2025).
Moin A. Nizami, ‘Connecting Law and Sufism: Religious Discourse in Pre-modern South Asia’, in S. Pahuja, Shaun McVeigh, and Adil H. Khan (eds.), _Law, Culture and the Humanities_ (forthcoming).
Muhammad Meki, Jing Cai, Simon Quinn, Erica Field, Cynthia Kinnan, Jonathan Morduch, Jonathan de Quidt, and Farah Said, ‘Dynamic Literature Review: Microfinance’, _VoxDevLit_ , (2025).
Muhammad Meki, Simon Quinn, Francesco Cordaro, Marcel Fafchamps, Colin Mayer and Kate Roll, ‘Better Financial Contracts Can Unlock Business Growth in Kenya’, _VoxDevLit_ , (2025).
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Muhammad Meki, ‘Finance for Small-form Growth: Towards Flexibility and Innovation,’ _Ideas for India_ , (2025).
Muhammad Sami, ‘Muṣṭafā Ṣabrī on _Waḥdat al-Wuǧūd_ and its Philosophical Origins’, _Arabica_ , 71, 4–5, (2024).
Muhammad Sami, ‘Human Understanding and God-talk in Jāmī and Beyond’, _Open Theology_ (forthcoming).
Muhammad Sami, ‘One Being, Simple Essence, _Very_ Personal God’, in Zoheir Esmail (ed.), _Waḥdat al-Wujūd_ , AMI Press, Birmingham. (forthcoming)
Shahid Jameel, ‘India must show leadership on the pandemic accord’, _Nature India_ , 3 May 2024.
Book reviews and Encyclopaedia entries
Moin A. Nizami, ‘Saiyid Ahmad of Rae Bareli’ in Natana DeLong-Bas (ed.), _Oxford Bibliographies_ , New York: Oxford University Press, 2025.
Moin A. Nizami, review of _Regional History of Medieval India: Society, Culture, and Economy_ , (ed.) Yaqub Ali Khan, _English Historical Review_ (forthcoming).
Muhammad Sami, review of Janne Mattila (ed.), _The Eudaimonist Ethics of Alfarabi and Avicenna,_ Brill. (forthcoming)
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## _Chapter Five_
## RESEARCH
- The Centre has been focusing on four priority areas of research:
- the social and intellectual history of the Muslim world;
- the social and economic development of Muslim societies (incorporating the Centre’s longstanding interest in Islamic finance); and
- Science, technology and environment in Muslim societies;
- Muslims in Britain.
The aim has been to develop a more strategic approach within and between different streams of research. The following five live projects represent the Centre’s ongoing contributions through these streams.
- 1 THE ATLAS PROJECT: THE SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH ASIA
The Atlas documents and offers a visual representation of the spread of social and intellectual movements across the Muslim world. It highlights connections, continuities and discontinuities across regions and time periods, and explains how individuals and ideas moved between Muslim societies, and the scholarly and religious movements they inspired. This information is presented using maps, charts and tables, accompanied by textual commentary. Maps illustrate the geographical and spatial diffusion of intellectual networks, revealing their expansion or contraction across regions; charts and tables trace these patterns over time and across generations; while the accompanying text highlights key themes and explains the main findings revealed through these visual representations.
The Project intends to examine the Muslim world in five volumes, with each volume focused on a different region. These include: i) The Arabian Peninsula, Southwest Asia, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea; ii) West-Central Asia, Inner Eurasia, Western China; iii) North Africa, the Western Mediterranean, Saharan and West Africa; iv) South Asia; and v) Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. The Atlas project is under the direction of Dr Farhan Nizami.
The volume on South Asia, which is nearing completion, has been supported by the Leverhulme Trust (UK), the Faisal Islamic Bank, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). It sets the template
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for other volumes and defines the method, procedures, and analyses that can be applied to the historical geography of Islam in other major regions.
The _South Asia_ volume describes the region’s first contacts with Islam through trade and military incursions. It maps out the settlement patterns, overlapping pilgrimage and trade routes, and the eventual establishment and growth of Muslim polities such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Against this political and economic backdrop, it charts the spread of Sufi and scholarly networks, emergence of teaching centres, development of curricula, migration patterns, and the different means for the transmission of learning. The volume comprises 23 chapters consisting of 162 maps, 142 charts, and 109 tables, for which data has been drawn from a variety of historical sources (such as local histories, biographical dictionaries, chronicles, and other materials) that have been verified, collated, and interpreted. The accompanying text of about 180,000 words aims to tie the themes together and explain the key findings.
The _South Asia_ volume is currently being supported by a grant from KFAS, which has enabled the Centre to build a dedicated research team. The primary focus remains on the completion of the written text. Dr Moin Ahmad Nizami is leading the identification of key themes emerging from the maps and charts and is developing the accompanying narrative. He is supported in this process by Dr David Damrel (University of South Carolina Upstate), who serves as a consultant on the Project.
Concurrently, work is underway to verify and standardise endnotes, ensuring they accurately reflect the numerous revisions made to maps and charts over time. Dr Fouzia Farooq Ahmed (Quaid-i Azam University), who joined the team as a Research Fellow in January 2025, is focusing on the last chapters and ensuring that the data is accurately represented on the maps and charts. In May 2025, Dr Ikramul Haque (MANU University, Hyderabad) joined the project as a Visiting Fellow. Dr Alex Kent remains involved as a cartographer.
## 2 ISLAMIC FINANCE
The Islamic Finance Unit at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) advances a distinctive programme of research and engagement at the intersection of theory and practice in contemporary Islamic finance. Through its hybrid-format seminar series, the Unit has convened scholars and practitioners from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and North America, facilitating critical dialogue on both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of Islamic financial practice.
The Unit operates within the Centre’s broader research agenda, which seeks to promote a deeper understanding of Islamic economics as a vehicle for socio-economic development within Muslim and wider communities globally. This work is supported through sustained collaboration with international financial institutions, notably the Securities Commission Malaysia. Since 2012, the Unit’s Visiting Fellowship programme has provided a platform for one or two specialist scholars each year to pursue advanced research at Oxford.
The 15[th] SC–OCIS Roundtable, convened at the Centre on 7–8 September 2024, examined finance as a field inherently concerned with the ethical stewardship of capital. The proceedings highlighted
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the need to restore finance’s moral foundations through the reintegration of the humanities and the reassertion of ethical frameworks. Discussions addressed the incorporation of _maqāṣid al-sharīʿah_ in financial practice, the evaluation of sustainable finance outcomes, and the role of Islamic social finance in responding to pressing global challenges—reflecting the Unit’s sustained interest in the normative development of the field.
This year’s seminar series showcased a diverse range of research-led contributions. Dr Ziyaad Mahomed (SC–OCIS Visiting Fellow) reflected on Malaysia’s inaugural social impact bond for education, addressing challenges in instrument design, simplifying key performance indicators, and aligning investment structures with mission-oriented capital, drawing on his extensive advisory experience within the Islamic financial sector, including his role at HSBC Amanah.
Dr Kashif Malik presented findings from a microfinance initiative providing rickshaw financing to female entrepreneurs in Pakistan, highlighting early evidence of enhanced economic mobility and the critical importance of gender-sensitive programme design in Islamic microfinance.
Dr Maged Shebaita examined the limited recognition of Islamic legal principles within English financial jurisprudence, arguing that prevalent mischaracterisations of Sharia as solely religious have hindered its integration, and proposed codifying Islamic commercial law to facilitate application in transnational dispute resolution frameworks.
Dr Mohd Edil Abd El Shakor analysed dividend policy anomalies among _Shariah_ -compliant firms in the United States, assessing the effectiveness of dividend-based investment strategies for Islamic investors.
Lastly, Abdulkader Thomas conducted a macro-level exploration of zakat allocation, reconsidering classical beneficiary categories in light of contemporary socio-economic realities. Drawing on Malaysian practice and models used by Islamic Relief, his discussion emphasised the need for _maqāṣid_ -oriented flexibility in structuring zakat frameworks.
The Unit’s work is anchored by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Fellowship in Islamic Finance and the Globe Fellowship in the Economies of Muslim Societies. It has been further enhanced by the recent establishment of the Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellowship in Islamic Finance, with the inaugural selection process currently underway. The SC–OCIS Visiting Fellowship continues to attract scholars of distinction for advanced research residencies at Oxford. Current and future work seeks to advance both quantitative and qualitative assessments of social finance instruments. The seminar series remains integral to the Unit’s objectives: to provide a global forum for critical engagement with Islamic finance, to contribute to the development of the field in the UK and Europe, and to promote innovative approaches that enhance the role of finance in serving the public good.
## 3 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN MUSLIM SOCIETIES
Muslims comprise roughly a quarter of the world population and account for a similar share of global GDP. However, countries with significant Muslim populations are situated in geographic regions that make them particularly vulnerable to disrupted weather patterns and persistent
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insecurity of water and food resources. Their economic realities and potential vary widely: the poorest peoples are also the most vulnerable to environmental degradation, climate unpredictability, and their effects on public health and political stability. At the same time, technological advances such as those in information-processing applications, the manipulation of plant and animal genomes, and others are disrupting, partly even uprooting, traditional socioeconomic relations. However, the values and responsibilities embedded in those relations are the essential resources humans use to anticipate and adapt to the challenges they face.
The project on ‘Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies’ studies the ongoing efforts in a range of Muslim-majority countries to meet the challenges, covering several areas of science and its technological applications. The project gathers information and promotes research that recognises the challenges and proposes practicable steps to meet them in ways that are sustainable, equitable and socially acceptable. This goal requires understanding the religious and cultural norms in play, with an appreciation of their power to inform and motivate efforts to adapt and, beyond mere survival, effectively negotiate challenges and opportunities.
The long-term goal of the project is to facilitate the establishment of a collaborative network across Islamic countries that uses science to address local and global challenges, and as a vehicle to unite people. At the same time, it hopes to provide key tools for the necessary exploration of the philosophies and values that identify permitted social adjustments and underpin the engagement of societies with existing and new technologies.
In the past year, the programme has pursued its aims through a range of collaborative activities, research outputs, and public engagement.
A significant initiative has been the Centre’s partnership with the Pardee Center for the LongerRange Future at Boston University. This joint endeavour focuses on exploring the moral dimensions of climate action, with particular attention to the role of faith-based values in promoting positive environmental behaviours in Muslim societies. Two roundtables were convened as part of this initiative: the first at Oxford (27–28 May 2024) and the second at Boston University (19–20 September 2024). Each roundtable brought together around 15 invited scholars and practitioners for in-depth, interactive discussions, alongside public panel sessions exploring the contours of a future research agenda on faith, ethics, and climate action.
The seminar programme addressed diverse themes at the intersection of science, technology, and society. On 22 October 2024, Dr Murad Banaji (University of Oxford) delivered a seminar titled _COVID-19 in India: Epidemic, Inequality, and Propaganda_ . Drawing on critical analysis of official statistics, survey data, and epidemiological models, Dr Banaji examined the interplay of uneven disease surveillance, structural inequality, and disinformation in shaping the pandemic’s course and public understanding in India.
On 26 November 2024, Dr Suzanne Bartington (University of Birmingham) presented _Air Quality in Oxford: Past, Present and Future_ . Reporting on the OxAria study—a multidisciplinary collaboration involving the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford, Oxfordshire local authorities,
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and Ricardo Plc—Dr Bartington reviewed trends in air pollution, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban air quality, and the potential for policy interventions to mitigate health risks.
The Programme’s research outputs included the publication of an edited volume, _Disruptive Technologies and Muslim Societies_ , which examines the complex impacts of technological innovation on social structures, ethical norms, and economic realities in Muslim-majority contexts.
These activities reflect the programme’s commitment to fostering dialogue, advancing research, and promoting collaboration on issues of shared global significance.
## 4 ECONOMIC AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Muslim societies today face a complex array of economic and social challenges. Many grapple with poverty and low literacy, while others have suffered severe setbacks in human development due to conflict. Even relatively wealthier Muslim nations face the ongoing challenge of sustaining high levels of social entitlements for their populations. A pronounced youth bulge and demographic shifts are reshaping these societies, contributing to rising unemployment and the risk of social unrest. Many Muslim economies struggle with low productivity and limited integration into the global economy. Resource-rich countries, in particular, confront the urgent need to diversify away from heavy dependence on hydrocarbons. Compounding these challenges, several Muslim countries remain among the most conflict-prone in the world.
In response to these pressing issues, the Centre’s Economic and Human Development (EHD) research cluster aims to support innovative, empirically grounded, and holistic research across a broad spectrum of relevant topics. Serving as a key platform for academic and policy-oriented initiatives, the EHD Cluster brings together complementary expertise through two distinguished fellowships: the Globe Fellowship in Economies of Muslim Societies, held by Professor Adeel Malik, and the Sultan Hassan Bolkiah Fellowship in Islamic Finance, held by Professor Muhammad Meki.
The EHD Research Stream supports a vibrant teaching and research agenda. It offers two flagship graduate-level courses—‘The Political Economy of the Middle East’ and ‘Microfinance, Entrepreneurship, and Development’—which attract students from a range of faculties across Oxford. Coordinators of this research stream are also supervising a diverse cohort of M.Phil. and D.Phil. students conducting advanced research on topics including: Sovereign Wealth Funds in the GCC; Institutional constraints to industrial upgrading in Bangladesh and Turkey; Foreign aid and inequality in post-conflict societies; The political economy of irrigation in British Punjab; Business-state relations in Lebanon; Agriculture and civil conflict in Sudan; The Gulf’s evolving economic diplomacy; Islam and economic development in Nigeria; and Determinants of technology adoption in Asia.
To foster academic dialogue, the EHD Cluster regularly hosts seminars and roundtables open to both the university community and the wider public. These events highlight the Centre’s expanding research footprint in the field of Muslim economic studies, encourage interdisciplinary
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collaboration with other institutions in Oxford and beyond, and broaden the Centre’s professional network.
The following events were organised during the last academic year:
On Algeria’s 70 years of independence, a two-day international conference on ‘Challenges of Economic Reform and Development’ was jointly organised with Sciences-Po, Lille, France. Thirty esteemed scholars participated in the conference. Scholars presented papers on a variety of themes, including economic diversification, energy transition, prospects for private sector development, industrial policy, and management of natural resources. Dr Rabah Arezki, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, delivered the keynote speech.
A roundtable on ‘The Peace Formula: Breaking the Conflict Trap’ discussed latest research on conflict resolution and its relevance for Muslim societies. It was led by Professor Dominic Rohner, co-director of the Department of Economics and professor of economics at HEC Lausanne on Wednesday 2 October. This well-attended roundtable fostered constructive discussion on the different pathways out of conflict. The discussion drew on global experiences and explored their relevance for conflict-prone Muslim societies.
The EHD organised a special seminar by Professor Ali Cheema, Vice-Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan on ‘Norms and Gender Inequality: Pathways and Limitations to Change in a Muslim Context’. Professor Cheema offered a synthesis of a portfolio of research projects focusing on gender and development in the context of Pakistan. Based on experimental evidence from the field, Professor Cheema discussed how policy interventions can change gender attitudes towards female participation in economic, civic, and political activities. A robust discussion ensued on how the evidence from Pakistan might or might not be relevant for other Muslim contexts.
Professor Mushfiq Mobarak of Yale University’s Department of Economics delivered an engaging talk on ‘Unpacking the 2024 Student Revolution in Bangladesh’. Drawing on his research on natural disasters and political change, Professor Cheema highlighted how major ecological shocks (e.g. floods) can trigger grievances especially in the face of weak public policy response. He also discussed the role of youth demographics and civic activism in Bangladesh. The discussion also focused on broader relevance for understanding youth and political engagement in Muslim societies. The lecture was co-hosted with the Department of Economics at Oxford University.
## 5 MUSLIMS IN BRITAIN
Muslims represent the largest and fastest-growing minority community in Britain, with significant potential to contribute positively across all areas of national life. Yet, public discourse and media narratives too often remain shaped by negative portrayals that focus disproportionately on extremism and radicalisation, rather than the goodwill, civic engagement, and achievements of the vast majority.
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The _Muslims in Britain_ programme at the Centre builds on a longstanding record of research, dialogue, and public engagement. Its aspiration remains to extend this legacy by generating research that informs policy, fosters intercultural understanding, and supports the full and equal participation of Muslims in British society. The programme has historically prioritised research that advances understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing British Muslims, while also addressing broader European contexts. Notable outputs include Dr Asma Mustafa’s publications on identity, political participation, and Muslims in the military; Professor Mark Halstead’s work on ‘Muslim futures’ and its policy implications in Western Europe; and Professor Alison Shaw’s study of cousin marriage in the British Pakistani community. Several projects have benefited from funding by the UK Housing Corporation and the British Academy.
Alongside its research, the programme has convened seminars, workshops, and roundtables on key issues—from integration and citizenship to education and community cohesion, such as a roundtable in partnership with ISESCO that explored religious education curricula and the experiences of Muslim children in state schools.
Looking ahead, the programme is developing new research proposals and funding bids that reflect both the Centre’s strategic priorities and growing interest from partners and funders. The aim is to shape a coordinated research agenda that not only addresses the realities of Muslim communities today but also contributes to the wider strengthening of Britain’s social fabric.
## 6 RESEARCH BY CENTRE MEMBERS
DR AFIFI AL-AKITI has initiated a two-year collaborative research project titled _Human Dignity Across the Islamic and Christian Traditions_ , in partnership with the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice, University of Oxford. Funded by the Spalding Memorial Educational Trust and the International Center for Law and Religious Studies, this project examines core theological concepts—such as divine nature, cosmology, and psychology—that shape understandings of human dignity in both faith traditions. The research aims to uncover how these shared theological foundations can inform contemporary ethical debates surrounding society and environmental responsibility.
Dr Al-Akiti curated rare Islamic scientific manuscripts for the exhibition on _Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World_ with Dr Stephen Johnston. The exhibition, organised in partnership with the History of Science Museum at Oxford, showcases medieval Islamic contributions to astronomy and scientific instrumentation, highlighting the ways in which religious observance and scientific knowledge coalesced in Islamic intellectual history. Manuscripts on display, including the earliest known copy of Rukn al-Din al-Amuli’s treatise on the astrolabe, are valuable primary sources for understanding how cosmological knowledge informed both religious practice and broader social structures.
DR MOHAMMAD ALI ALLEHBI examines the formation of criminal justice in late antiquity and medieval Islamic societies, focusing on how premodern criminal justice systems developed. His forthcoming book, _The Making of Islamic Criminal Justice_ , builds on his doctoral dissertation and
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considers the broader implications of this legal evolution on early Islamic law, governance, and society. The study explores the institution of the _shurṭa_ , the elite military corps responsible for criminal justice and policing in cities such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba between the eighth and twelfth centuries.
In addition to his monograph, Dr Allehbi is preparing a research article reviewing the current state of historical studies on the administration of criminal justice during the formative and classical Islamic periods. He has been invited to contribute a chapter to the forthcoming _Cambridge Companion to Islamic Law_ , which will further disseminate his expertise in the field. Dr Allehbi is also co-authoring and co-editing a collaborative translation project of the ninth-century Arabic text _Ādāb al-falāsifa_ (Ethics of the Philosophers), bringing this important work of Islamic intellectual history to wider audiences.
PROFESSOR SHAHID JAMEEL continues to lead research at the Centre on _Science, Technology, and Environment in Muslim Societies_ , with a current focus on the intersection of climate change, public health, and food security. His work examines Muslim perceptions of climate change and the societal implications of environmental degradation, employing interdisciplinary methodologies to bridge scientific and socio-cultural analyses. A key strand of this project investigates the role of food systems in global greenhouse gas emissions, with particular attention to the technological feasibility, ethical dimensions, and cultural receptivity of alternative proteins as sustainable food sources. To ground this inquiry in empirical data, he is conducting an online survey to map Muslim attitudes toward climate change and dietary transitions.
Professor Jameel’s scholarly contributions extend to collaborative knowledge production, most notably as co-editor (with _Professor Sir David Clary_ ) of the volume _Disruptive Technologies and Muslim Societies_ (World Scientific Publishing, April 2025). This publication synthesises cuttingedge research on technology’s role in shaping Muslim-majority contexts, including a chapter by Professor Jameel analysing the impact of COVID-19 on education systems in Islamic countries. His work underscores the urgency of integrating scientific innovation with culturally attuned policy frameworks to address pressing global challenges.
PROFESSOR ADEEL MALIK is pursuing several research programmes on the political economy of Muslim societies, with a focus on historical institutional legacies and contemporary development challenges. His current work includes a major study, Irrigation and Inequality—funded by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) under its STEG Programme—which investigates the long-term developmental consequences of British-era Punjab’s vast irrigation infrastructure, the largest of its kind in the world. Employing granular settlement-level data and advanced empirical methods, the project analyses how differential exposure to canal irrigation shaped trajectories of agricultural productivity and land inequality. Preliminary findings, presented at an international conference at Harvard University, have generated significant scholarly engagement and are being refined for publication.
Alongside this, Professor Malik is preparing a journal article on frontier governance and conflict, informed by presentations at leading academic fora. His broader research portfolio
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extends to structural issues in Middle Eastern economies, where he examines themes such as trade and globalization, the resilience of infrastructure projects to economic and political shocks (with a regional focus on Saudi Arabia), and the dynamics of business-state relations. This interdisciplinary work underscores his commitment to bridging historical analysis with policy-relevant insights into the developmental constraints facing Muslim-majority societies.
PROFESSOR MUHAMMAD MEKI remains engaged in interdisciplinary research at the nexus of development economics, financial inclusion, and Islamic finance. His recent work foregrounds the potential of _musharaka_ -based contracts to enhance economic outcomes for low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries, situating ethical risk-sharing principles within contemporary financial innovation. These efforts form part of a broad collaborative research agenda involving multiple international partners across diverse socioeconomic contexts.
In Iraq, a UN-funded initiative supporting over 700 SMEs through grants and business training has made significant progress. In Pakistan, with funding from the Gates Foundation, he is designing a study on asset-based financing aimed at empowering women in the transport sector, with implementation forthcoming. In India, a World Bank-backed project he leads uses big data to analyze how digital footprints are reshaping lending practices in low- and middle-income countries, with potential to expand financial access and develop innovative risk-sharing instruments for SMEs. Additionally, in Kenya, he has secured funding to investigate demand-side barriers to electric vehicle adoption, focusing on financial and infrastructure challenges.
DR ASMA MUSTAFA continues to engage in interdisciplinary research addressing social challenges related to racial inequality, public health, and identity, with a focus on the experiences of minority communities in Britain. She is co-investigator alongside Professor Anthony Heath (Centre for Social Investigation, Nuffield College) on the proposed project _Understanding and Tackling Racial Discrimination in the Labour Market_ , which seeks to identify whether Black and Muslim groups face disproportionate bias in recruitment and to inform policy and employer interventions promoting racial equity.
Additionally, Dr Mustafa is a co-applicant on a multi-institutional grant proposal examining _FaithBased Interventions and Health Inequalities_ , exploring the role of mosques as centres for community health promotion aimed at improving outcomes in deprived Muslim populations. She is also developing a new research proposal with Dr Lindsay Richards (University of Oxford) titled _Exploring Cultural and Social Code-Switching Among Visibly Ethnic and Religious Minorities in the UK_ , which investigates how Black and Muslim individuals navigate professional and social environments requiring behavioural adaptation, and how visibility through religious and racial markers impacts belonging, recognition, exclusion, and wellbeing.
DR MOIN AHMAD NIZAMI continues to make significant contributions to the study of the social and intellectual history of Muslims in South Asia. His recent monograph, _Haji Imdadullah_ , soonto-be-published by Oxford University Press as part of the _Makers of Islamic Civilization Series_ , offers a nuanced exploration of how Islamic learning, expressed through deep personal piety and broader collective reform efforts, shaped Haji Imdadullah’s role as a pivotal religious and
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intellectual figure of his time. The work also highlights the crucial influence of migrant scholars in establishing and sustaining trans-Asian networks of knowledge, connecting diverse Muslim communities across regions through their extensive student circles.
Currently, Dr Nizami is focused on the _Atlas Project_ , for which he is preparing the textual commentary, ensuring that the historical narratives align closely with the visual and quantitative elements presented. His scholarship in this area aims to deepen understanding of the spatial and social dynamics that have shaped Muslim societies in the region, providing a richer, more integrated perspective on their historical evolution.
DR MUHAMMAD SAMI specialises in Islamic philosophy, theology, and Sufism, with a focus on Sufi engagement with speculative philosophy and theology, particularly the works of Mulla ʿAbd al-Rahman Jami. His forthcoming contributions include a chapter on Sufism for the _Oxford Handbook of Concepts in Indian Traditions_ , and his dissertation has been invited for review by Oxford University Press’s _Theology and Religion Monograph Series_ .
Alongside these, Dr Sami is preparing several articles on the thought of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and is developing an Islamic philosophical framework to engage critically with the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, exploring how classical theological insights can inform contemporary ethical debates in emerging technologies.
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## _Chapter Six_
## VISITING FELLOWSHIPS
T he Visiting Fellowships programme is a crucial element of the Centre’s commitment to establishing and sustaining external contacts with scholars and institutions, at national and international levels. These Fellowships enable scholars to undertake a period of independent study and research at Oxford.
Since its inception the programme has brought over 430 scholars from over 60 different countries to Oxford.
The academic specialisations of the Visiting Fellows span a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, politics and international relations.
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## VISITING FELLOWSHIPS
During the year under review, the following Visting Fellows were in residence:
Dr Idris Bedirhanoglu, MSc (Harran University), PhD (Istanbul Technical University) Dicle University _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Vincent Biondo, BA (UC San Diego), MA (San Diego State University), PhD (UC Santa Barbara)
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
Dr Nagihan Dogan, MA, PhD (Hacettepe University) Hacettepe University _Visiting Fellow_
Professor Chouki El Hamel, PhD (Sorbonne) Arizona State University _Abdul Aziz al-Mutawa Visiting Fellow_
Dr Imran Hashmi, BCS (UMT), MS, PhD (KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm) Computer Science Department, University of Oxford _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Hayati Ismail, B.Ed. TESL, M.Ed. TESL (UPM), PhD (Warwick) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Abubakr Muhammad, BSc (UET), MS, MS, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology) Lahore University of Management Sciences _STEMS Visiting Fellow_
Dr Muhammad Naseem, BS (Agricultural University, Peshawar), MPhil (Punjab University), PhD (Wuerzburg) Zayed University _Visiting Fellow_
Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, ACCA, ICAEW, MIA _Sultan bin Abdulaziz Visiting Fellow_
Dr Hakim Yasar, MA (Dokuz Eylul University), PhD (Heythrop College, University of London) Izmir Katip Celebi University _Visiting Fellow_
The following elections have been made to date to Visiting Fellowships for 2025/26:
Dr Husamettin Simsir, BA (Bogazici), MA (Sanbanci), MA, PhD (University of Notre Dame) University of Notre Dame _Visiting Fellow_
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Dr Abdul Raoof Mir, MPhil (University of Hyderabad), PhD (JNU) Alliance University _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Raida Chbib, MA (Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn), DPhil (Ruhr University Bochum) Goethe - University Frankfurt _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Aaron Ponce, BA (University of Miami), MA (University of Texas), JD (University of Wisconsin-Madison), PhD (Indiana University) Indiana University _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Ikramul Haque, BA, MA, MPhil (Jamia Millia Islamia), MPhil, PhD (JNU) Maulana Azad National Urdu University _Atlas Visiting Fellow_
Professor Sakariyau Alabi Aliyu, MA (University of Ilorin), PhD (Universiteit Leiden) Bayero University _Visiting Fellow_
Professor Hassan Khalilieh, BA (University of Haifa), MA, PhD (Princeton University) University of Haifa _Visiting Fellow_
Dr Elmoubashar Farag, MBBS (University of Gezira), PhD (Blue Nile Institute), PhD (Erasmus University) University of Gezira _Visiting Fellow_
A new category of Anniversary Fellowships has been created to mark the 40[th] Anniversary of the Centre, to which the following have been elected:
Professor Sir Paul Collier, DPhil (Oxon) University of Oxford _Anniversary Fellow_
Professor Robert Hillenbrand, DPhil (Oxon) University of Edinburgh _Anniversary Fellow_
OCIS–SC VISITING FELLOWSHIP IN ISLAMIC FINANCE
The following Visting Fellows were in residence during 2024/25:
Dr Ziyaad Mahomed, MBA (MANCOSA), CIFP (INCEIF), BBA (Anglia Ruskin), PhD (INCEIF) INCEIF University _SC–OCIS Visiting Fellow in Islamic Finance_
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Dr Nur Ain Shahrier, BSc (UIOWA), MEng, MSc, PhD (Cornell) Sunway University _SC–OCIS Visiting Fellow in Islamic Finance_
The following election has been made to the SC–OCIS Visiting Fellowship for 2025/26:
Dr Nazrul Hazizi Noordin, BCom (Lincoln, Christchurch), MSc (IIUM), PhD (INCEIF) IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance _SC-OCIS Visiting Fellow in Islamic Finance_
## CHEVENING VISITING FELLOWSHIPS
During the year under review, the following Chevening Visiting Fellows were in residence at the Centre:
Ms Haironesah Domado, BSBA (Mindanao State), MA (Brandeis) Relief International _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Philippines_ )
Dr Alisher Jumagulov, BA (Tashkent Islamic University), MA, PhD (Tashkent State University of Law) Tashkent State University of Law & Tashkent State University of Economics _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Uzbekistan_ )
Dr Murat Kayalik, BA (Ankara), MA (Ankara), PhD (Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt) Ankara Sosyal Bilimler University _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Türkiye_ )
Dr Agus Salim, BA, MA (UIN Jakarta), Mag. (Monash), PhD (Melbourne) State Islamic University of Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Indonesia_ )
The following elections have been made to Chevening Visiting Fellowships for 2025/26:
Ms Alaa Alshurafa, BA, MBA (Al Azhar, Gaza) _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Palestine_ )
Ms Nouhad Ghazi Awwad, BSc, MSc (AUB) Greenpeace MENA _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Lebanon_ )
Professor Dr Jülide Karakoç Bakiş, BA (Marmara), MA (Galatasaray), PhD (Ankara) Altinbas University _Abdullah Gül Chevening Visiting Fellowship_ ( _Türkiye_ )
Mr Cheong Say Lim, MBA (INSEAD Fontainebleau), MFP (Sunshine Coast) Saudi Venture Capital Investment Company _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Malaysia_ )
Mr Tijjani Mohammed Mukaddas, BSc Ed., M.Ed, PhD (Abuja) _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Nigeria_ )
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Mr Dilmurod Rajaboev, BA, LLM (TSUL) Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan _Chevening Visiting Fellow_ ( _Uzbekistan_ )
## VISITING RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
During the year under review, the following Visiting Research Fellows were in residence at the Centre:
Dr Ayesha Alketbi, MJur (Sharjah), PhD (Sharjah) Zayed University, UAE _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Marion Breteau, PhD (Aix-Marseille) American University, Kuwait _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Alexandra Cotofana, PhD (Indiana-Bloomington) Zayed University, UAE _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Adelbert Finch, BA (Zaytuna College), MA (Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology), PhD (Exeter) _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Sarah Hopkyns, BA, MA (Leicester), PhD (Leicester) University of St Andrews _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Fatima Kadic, BA, MA, PhD (Sarajevo) University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Imam Bukhari Visiting Research Fellow
Dr Zilola Khalilova, BSc (Tashkent), MA (TSPU), MA (Adama Mickiewicza), PhD (Institute for Oriental Studies Uzbekistan), MPhil (IIUM) Uzbek Academy of the Sciences, Uzbekistan _Imam Tirmizi Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Kashif Malik, MSc (Quaid-i-Azam), MS (LUMS), MA (Florida State), PhD (Florida State) LUMS, Pakistan _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Yusuf Oldac, BA (Bogazici), MSc (METU), DPhil (Oxon) Hong Kong Lingnan University _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Lu Xia, BA, MA (Wuhan), PhD (Fudan) Xiamen University, China _Visiting Research Fellow_
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The following elections have been made to date to Visiting Research Fellowships for 2025/26:
Dr Shakhzod Islamov, BA (Tashkent Islamic University), MA (Tashkent State Institute of Law) Imam Maturidi International Research Centre, Uzbekistan _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Mohammad Mozahidul Islam, MA (Jahangirnagar University), MA (University of Tsukuba), PhD (University of New South Wales) Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh _Visiting Research Fellow_
Dr Noha Hussein, MSc (Cairo University), DPhil (Nottingham Trent University) _Visiting Research Fellow_
## ACADEMIC VISITORS
During the year under review, the following Academic Visitors were in residence:
Dr Erdal Harunoğulları, MSc, PhD (Sakarya University) _Academic Visitor_
Dr Beata Polok, LLM, PhD (Silesia) Dar Al Hekma University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia _Academic Visitor_
Dr Sabba Mirza University of Southern Denmark _Academic Visitor_
Professor Maged Shebaita, PhD (TSUL), PhD (SOAS), LLM (UCL), PhD, LLM, LLB (Cairo) Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan _Academic Visitor_
Ms Sefika Trampa, BA, MA (Istanbul) Istanbul University, Turkiye _Academic Visitor_
Dr Tahir Yıldız, MA, PhD (Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt) TDV İLKSAY, Turkiye _Academic Visitor_
The following will be in residence as Academic Visitor during 2025/26:
Dr Hasan Baig, MSc (Punjab), MA (Sargodha), MPhil, PhD (GC University, Faisalabad) Allama Iqbal Open University
_Academic Visitor_
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SARAWAK SABBATICAL PROGRAMME
Under an agreement with the Government of Sarawak, the Centre hosts one civil servant per term on a career development attachment. In the year under review, the following Academic Visitors were in residence under this programme:
Mr Wan Adzman b. Wan Abdul Rahman Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Malaysia _Sarawak Academic Visitor_
Mr Zamri b. Mohamad Sarawak Government Communications Department, Malaysia _Sarawak Academic Visitor_
Mr Wan Jamaludin b. Wan Abdul Wahap _Sarawak Academic Visitor_
Selection of Sarawak Academic Visitors for the coming year will be in August.
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## _Chapter Seven_
## SCHOLARSHIPS
& EXHIBITIONS
Centre Scholarships serve those reading for a degree at the University of Oxford, and are administered in accordance with an Agreement with the University. The Programme’s primary purpose is to widen access to the university for students from Britain and overseas, and to encourage and support them to undertake studies that will be of benefit to Muslim communities and the wider societies to which they belong.
Scholarships are available to students reading for graduate and undergraduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and those areas of the mathematical, physical, and life sciences relevant to the needs of Muslim societies. Some scholarships are restricted to citizens of countries in Asia and Africa, as well as to British citizens from Muslim communities.
During the year under review, 20 Centre Scholarships were held by students reading for Oxford degrees in chemistry, economics, education, engineering, history, international relations, Islamic studies, law, materials science, philosophy and PPE.
The following Centre Scholars, resident during the year under review, expect to have completed their degree courses during the coming months:
Ms Tharanya Arumugam, reading for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) _Merdeka Scholar_ St Anne’s College
Miss Salma Farah, reading for a BA in PPE _Qatar Scholar_ Worcester College
Mr Syed Nadeem Hussain, reading for a DPhil in International Development _JEF Scholar_ Wolfson College
Ms Itrisyia Dayini binti Kamarul, reading for an MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies _Merdeka Scholar_ St Antony’s College
Mrs Zuhaira Islam, reading for an MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies _Saif Al Nahayan Scholar_
St Antony’s College
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Ms Darshini Nadarajan, reading for a DPhil in Education _Merdeka Scholar_ Kellogg College
Mr Muhamad Danial Nashri, reading for an MSc in Pharmacology _Merdeka Scholar_ Green Templeton College
Ms Rola Sohob, reading for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) _JEF Scholar_ Balliol College
Mr Yusuf Tayara, reading for a DPhil in History _Noon Scholar_ Wolfson College
The following Centre Scholars were in residence in the year under review and will continue their studies during the coming academic year:
Mr Ali Ata Adam, reading for a DPhil in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures
_JEF Scholar_ Somerville College
Ms Audrey Au Yong, reading for a DPhil in Surgical Sciences _Merdeka Scholar_ Reuben College
Mr Ahmed Dayyan, reading for a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) _Khalid Al Ibrahim Scholar_ New College
Miss Zaynah Alisha Hussain, reading for a BA in History _Qatar Scholar_ Oriel College
Miss Hasina Ibrahim, reading for a BA in Geography _Qatar Scholar_ St John’s College
Miss Mahnoor Kamran, reading for a BA in Geography _Noon Scholar_ St John’s College
Mr Meng Lip Lim, reading for a DPhil in Engineering Science _Merdeka Scholar_ St Hugh’s College
Mr Abdur-Rahman Mahmood, reading for a BA in History _Noon Scholar_ Trinity College
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Ms Rabeah Adawiyah Abdul Razak, reading for a DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics
_Merdeka Scholar_ Green Templeton College
Mr Imtiaz Rahman, reading for an MChem in Chemistry _Easa al Gurg Scholar_ Hertford College
Miss Suleqa Warsame, reading for a BA in Law (Jurisprudence) _Qatar Scholar_ Trinity College
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED FOR THE COMING YEAR
At the time of writing, the following graduate scholarships have been awarded to students beginning their studies in academic year 2025/26:
Dr Loay Kanou, reading for an MSc in Health Service Improvement and Evaluation St Hilda’s College
_JEF Scholar_
Ms Sara Alisha bt Mohd Afandi, reading for an MPhil in Global Area Studies St Antony’s College _Merdeka Scholar_
Mr Nurul Izzah, reading for a DPhil in Education Lady Margaret Hall _Merdeka Scholar_
Mr Qi Chwen Ong, reading for a DPhil in Medical Sciences Green Templeton College _Merdeka Scholar_
Ms Irdina Syahirah Mohd Nadziruddin, reading for a DPhil in Clinical Medicine Magdalen College _Merdeka Scholar_
Mr Dhipan Raj Sundram, reading for an MBA in Business Administration St Hugh’s College _Merdeka Scholar_
Two undergraduate scholarships have been awarded to date, subject to satisfactory exam results:
Mr Mohammed Tanzil Ali, reading for a BA in Economics and Management St Hugh’s College _Easa Al Gurg Scholar_
Ms Aisha Hasan, reading for a BA in History Christ Church _Saif Al Nahayyan Scholar_
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## EXHIBITIONERS
The following exhibitioners were in residence at the Centre in 2024/25:
Mr Motasem Abuzaid, reading for a DPhil in Politics St Antony’s College
Mr Saoud Al-Khuzaei, reading for a DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences Wadham College
Ms Alaa Baazaoui, reading for a DTP in Interdisciplinary Bioscience St John’s College
Mr Ahmed El-Wakil, reading for a DPhil in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies Regents Park
Ms Kayla Fraser, reading for a DPhil in Geography Christ Church
Mr Md Abir Hasan, reading for a DPhil in International Development Wolfson College
Mr Irfan Sarhindi, reading for a DPhil in Education Lady Margaret Hall
Mr Ahmed Azim Wazeer, reading for a DPhil in Politics St Antony’s College
Mr Jacob Williams, reading for a DPhil in Politics Green Templeton College
Mr Muhammad Zeyn, reading for a DPhil in Migration Studies Somerville College
At the time of writing, the following exhibitions have been awarded for 2025/26:
Ms Bana Alamad, reading for a DPhil in Genomic Studies & Statistics New College
Ms Yomna Gaafar, reading for a DPhil in International Development Kellogg College
Mr Ali Ahmed Khan, reading for an MPhil in Modern Middle East Studies Mansfield College
Ms Mariam Hibah Khayata, reading for an MPhil in Modern Middle East Studies St Antony’s College
Mr Kareem Mohamed, reading for a DPhil in Primary Health Care Green Templeton College
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Mr Ahmed Azim Wazeer, reading for a DPhil in Politics St Antony’s College
Mr Irfan Sarhindi, reading for a DPhil in Education Lady Margaret Hall
_Subject areas of Centre Scholars and Exhibitioners 2024/25 and 2025/26_
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## _Chapter Eighth_
## THE YOUNG MUSLIM LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
The 19[th] Young Muslim Leadership Programme took place from 13–22 September 2024. This annual residential Programme was initially established as a joint initiative of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and the then Prince’s Charities. The Programme is designed with three principal aims. First, to provide participants with a well-informed understanding of British social and political institutions and values, and to encourage active, positive contributions to public life. Second, to foster a confident sense of identity among participants in being both British and Muslim. Third, to strengthen the Centre’s growing network of YMLP alumni by connecting each new cohort with past participants.
The Programme is open to British Muslims aged between 21 and 30 who have demonstrated leadership potential in fields such as local or national government, commerce, media, the voluntary sector, and the arts.
This was another successful year of cultivating future leaders from across the UK through this Programme. This year’s cohort brought together an exceptional group of participants from various professional fields, including the Civil Service, medicine, law, management consultancy, and business.
Throughout the programme, participants engaged in thought-provoking seminars and discussions led by a distinguished roster of speakers from politics, academia, journalism, and public service. Notable contributors included The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP; Michael Binyon OBE, Editorial Writer at The Times; Professor Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Coventry University; Mr Kawsar Zaman, Alderman of the City of London; Mr Iqbal Khan, CEO of Fajr Capital; Professor Ron Geaves, Visiting Chair, Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, Cardiff University; Professor Avi Shlaim FBA, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford; Professor Robert Hillenbrand FBA, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh; Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC, former Attorney General of the UK; and Mr Ibrahim Khan, co-founder of Islamicfinanceguru.com & Cure8 Capital.
Specialist sessions further enriched the programme. Professor Najib Rahman (Oxford Nuffield Department of Medicine) offered critical insights into leadership within the NHS. Jeffery Beere (Procurement Director at AkzoNobel) shared perspectives on ethics and values in management consultancy. Ehsan Masood (Editorials Editor and Bureau Chief for Africa & the Middle East at Nature) led a compelling session on _Science, Innovation, and Sustainability_ .
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Centre Fellows played a central role in delivering core components of the programme. Jon Wilks CMG (former British Ambassador to Qatar, Yemen, Oman, and Iraq) addressed the complexities of foreign policy. Dr Basil Mustafa (Senior Associate Member of the Centre) led a workshop on values-based leadership. Dr Afifi al-Akiti (Kuwait Fellow in Islamic Studies) delivered a reflective seminar on _The Mind, Body, and Soul of Islam_ , while Dr Asma Mustafa (Salahuddin Abdul Jawad Fellow in the Study of Muslims in Britain) led an in-depth session examining the challenges and policy landscape facing Muslims in Britain.
A highlight of the Programme was a curated day visit to London, where participants toured St Paul’s Cathedral, enjoyed lunch at the historic Guildhall, and visited the Supreme Court. The day offered participants first-hand exposure to the UK's institutional heritage and the values underpinning public service.
The programme continues to offer a unique platform for aspiring leaders to deepen their knowledge, broaden their networks, and engage meaningfully with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslim communities in contemporary Britain.
The following participants successfully completed the YMLP 2024:
Mr Khalid Abdullah, Miss Nusaiba Al-Azami, Mr Sam Alselwi, Mr Munsoor Ayub, Mr Hussain Azami, Miss Faryaal Aziz, Miss Sumayyah Barre, Miss Safiyah Bobat, Miss Naffisa Cham, Mr Ayoub El Azrak, Dr Siraj Farid, Mr Ahmed El-Mehdi Gueffaf, Mr Gen Kawasaki, Dr Mashuda Khandokar, Miss Rufa'a Masoud, Ms Tasnim Masuma, Mr Kareem Mohamed, Mr Ammar Qayyum, Miss Saima Rasool, Ms Maryah Saeed, Miss Zahra Shaikh, Miss Hannah Tayab, Miss Nabeeha Toufiq, Mr Jamil Tuki, Mr Ahmed Youssouf.
Held on Saturday, 21 September, the Alumni Day was a resounding success. Designed to inspire reflection and renew the commitment to leadership, the day brought together alumni from across the Programme’s history for a high-impact event featuring a distinguished line-up of speakers, including Zuber Issa CBE (businessman and former Co-CEO of EG Group); Lord Wajid Khan (Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement); Henrietta Szovati (Writer and Leadership Consultant); David Gleghorn (Sport and Business Mindset Expert); Iqbal Khan (CEO of Fajr Capital and former CEO of HSBC Amanah); Tasleema Alam (Artist, Designer, and Educator specialising in Islamic geometric and ornamental design); and Shakoor Ahmed (Businessman and CEO of MyLahore).
Their insights, drawn from diverse fields and personal leadership journeys, sparked dynamic discussions and provided participants with strategic and deeply personal perspectives on navigating leadership in complex, evolving environments. The day reaffirmed the strength of the alumni network and its potential to be a catalyst for positive change across sectors.
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## _Chapter Ten_
## EXTERNAL RELATIONS
T he Centre has continued to consolidate and enhance its extensive network of international links. During the year under review, distinguished visitors from many countries and international institutions were received at the Centre and briefed on its activities, with discussion of potential future collaboration high on the agenda. The Centre’s participation in international conferences and forums further deepened these links.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
The Centre hosted diplomatic representatives from a wide range of countries during the year, reflecting its broad international engagement. These included Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.
The Director of the Centre was invited to serve as an international observer at Uzbekistan’s parliamentary elections held in October 2024.
ACADEMIC COLLABORATION WITH OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS
The Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and formalised the partnerships with the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Centre, the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Centre, and the International Scientific Research Center of Imam Termizi. A delegation from these institutions, headed by Dr Firdavs Abdukhalikov visited the Centre to discuss collaborative research. The delegation presented the Centre’s Library with fifty volumes from the _Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the West Project_ , further enriching the Centre’s resources.
A senior delegation from the Islamic University of Madina Munawwara, led by its President, HE Dr Saleh Bin Ali Alagla, visited the Centre. The visit culminated with the establishment of a steering committee to oversee cooperative initiatives. In addition, Professor Wardah Alasmari and Dr Suhad Sonbul of Umm al-Qura University, Makka Mukarrama, visited the Centre, to explore potential areas for partnership.
The Centre’s _Science, Technology and Environment in Muslim Societies Project_ has further expanded international collaboration. A partnership with the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at Boston University has enabled a joint research initiative exploring the moral dimensions of climate action and the role of faith-based values in encouraging positive environmental behaviours, particularly within Muslim societies.
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## ACADEMIC CONTACTS WITH OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS
The Visiting Fellowship and Scholarship Programmes remain central to the Centre’s international outreach. Since their inception, these programmes have enabled researchers and scholars from over sixty countries to spend time at the Centre, contributing to a rich and diverse intellectual environment.
Among the year’s highlights was a lecture by HE Mr Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Mr Moratinos reflected on the founding of the UNAOC in 2005 and its ongoing mission to promote dialogue and mutual respect among nations. He emphasised the need to address the root causes of international tension and to prioritise the pursuit of peace as the foundation for true security.
The Centre also had the honour of hosting, among many eminent guests, HE Sheikh Mohammed Maamoun El Kacimi, Minister of State and Rector of the Great Mosque of Algiers, and Dr Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Centre was represented at the Doha Forum, an influential platform that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and scholars to address pressing challenges in international affairs. This year’s forum focused on themes of diplomacy, development, and security, with particular emphasis on innovative solutions to complex global issues.
The Director participated in the Bahrain Conference for Islamic Dialogue, which convened leading scholars, religious figures, and policymakers from across the Muslim world. The conference aimed to strengthen interfaith and intrafaith understanding, promote the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence, and address contemporary challenges facing Muslim communities.
## ACADEMIC CONTACTS WITH UK INSTITUTIONS
Scholars from different UK universities, foundations and research institutions participated in the Centre’s activities and presented papers at seminars, conferences and workshops (see Chapters 2 and 4).
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## _Chapter Eleven_
## OUTREACH
The Centre plays an active role locally, nationally and internationally, in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.
## OUTREACH TO LOCAL PUBLIC: OPEN DOORS
Oxford Open Doors, organised by the Oxford Preservation Trust on 13–14 September 2024, is well-established feature in the Centre’s calendar. As in previous years, the tours were fully booked, and hundreds of visitors availed themselves of the opportunity to explore the Centre’s building and gardens. Fellows and staff served as guides, introducing visitors to the Centre’s architectural design and its academic role. Visitors greatly appreciated learning about the Centre’s academic and outreach work.
In addition to this annual event, the King Charles III Garden remains open to the public every Tuesday afternoon during the spring and summer months, offering a serene space for reflection and enjoyment. The garden continues to draw local residents and tourists alike, who value the opportunity to experience one of Oxford’s most peaceful and beautifully designed green spaces.
## OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL
The Centre continues as a patron of the Oxford Literary Festival, reaffirming its support for public engagement with literature and culture.
## OUTREACH TO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS
The Centre contributes actively to the University’s ongoing initiatives to widen access for students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented at Oxford. In the year under review, the Centre ran four Access Day events, offering prospective Oxford students of diverse Muslim heritages the chance to sample academic and collegiate life at Oxford and learn about the support provided through the Centre’s undergraduate scholarships.
In cooperation with Trinity College and Jesus College, the Centre hosted an access day for state school students of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage. Another event, led by a Centre Scholar, focused on Year 12 British students of Somali heritage. These events were well-attended and offered tailored information sessions and opportunity for informal discussions with current students. Positive feedback highlighted the value of these initiatives in helping to demystify Oxford.
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The educational outreach programme run by the Centre’s Mosque has continued to welcome large numbers of school children. Over 175 school groups, from both primary and secondary levels, have visited the Mosque to date. Each visit offers structured and informative sessions. Pupil are introduced to Islamic faith, practice and culture in an accessible and engaging manner. The programme continues to generate enthusiastic feedback, with many teachers commenting on its positive contribution to pupils’ understanding of religious identity.
The Mosque also hosts annual visits by trainee teachers from the University’s Department of Education. These visits provide valuable first-hand learning opportunities for those preparing to teach Religious Education in schools.
## OUTREACH TO THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
The Centre’s Mosque remains open to all for the daily prayers, the weekly Friday prayer, and two Eid prayers, which draw large congregations. The Mosque has also welcomed visits and tours by national and international Muslim educational institutions, civic society organisations, and community groups, enabling shared reflection on faith, community service, and educational initiatives.
The Imam serves as a chaplain to Muslim students of the University of Oxford offering pastoral care, advice and support. He often hosts student societies at the Centre.
## OUTREACH TO PARLIAMENTARIANS
The Centre has continued to foster strong and constructive engagement with members of both Houses of Parliament. Many parliamentarians have taken part in the Centre’s major lectures, conferences and, in particular, the Young Muslim Leadership Programme, where they shared insights from their experience and engaged in meaningful dialogue.
## OUTREACH TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Centre has actively worked with local civic leaders. The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, the Lord Mayor of Oxford, as well as several County and City Councillors participated in Centre events and discussions. Further, the Centre has also hosted meetings of local civic societies, and sought other ways to positively contribute to the social and cultural life of the neighbourhood and City.
## INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
The Centre has continued to engage in interfaith dialogue. In July last year, the Rt Revd Stephen Croft, Bishop of Oxford, visited the Centre for discussions on areas of shared concern and collaboration. In September, a number of vicars of local parish churches and other faith leaders convened at the Centre for a discussion on mutual cooperation and community engagement.
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The Centre was also pleased to serve as a venue for an international workshop of multifaith partnerships, held in collaboration with Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN) and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS). This event brought together lead practitioners and eminent scholars from different faith traditions to explore effective models for interfaith cooperation in addressing shared social and global challenges.
OUTREACH TO CIVIL SERVANTS AND POLICY MAKERS
The Centre has maintained close links with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other departments across Whitehall. Senior civil servants and policymakers have participated in Centre activities, contributing to dialogue on issues at the intersection of policy, diplomacy and faith. The Centre remains committed to supporting informed and constructive engagement between policymakers and the academic community.
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## _Chapter Twelve_
## THE MOSQUE
O pen throughout the day for Centre members, the Mosque extends a warm welcome to students and members of the public for the five daily prayers. Friday congregational prayers draw a large and diverse gathering, often reaching full capacity. With the steady rise in attendance over recent years—further boosted by the phased introduction of residential facilities at the Centre—the number of regular worshippers is expected to continue to grow.
The Mosque life is guided by a dedicated team. Imam Ibrahim Mohammad Amin leads the daily prayers and oversees general affairs, supported by Imam Muhammad Sahil, who serves as the Mosque Assistant. Oversight and planning are conducted by the Mosque Committee, which meets quarterly to ensure the smooth running of services.
During the month of Ramadan, the Centre invites accomplished reciters of the Qur’an to lead the _tarawih_ prayers. This year, Qari Muhammad Badrul Amin Bin Derome, from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in Perak, Malaysia, came for the month. _Tarawih_ prayers remain consistently well-attended, drawing people from across Oxford. The Eid al-Fitr congregation filled the Mosque and all available associated spaces. The Mosque team worked closely with the Oxfordshire County Council to ensure smooth management of traffic.
The Mosque organises various educational courses. The long-running Qur’anic Arabic course, held over three terms, remains a firm favourite, complemented by a well-subscribed introductory course in Qur’anic recitation. A new addition this year, the modular course on Essentials of Islamic Worship, was well received. Covering core acts of Islamic worship— _ṭahāra_ , _ṣalāh_ , _ṣawm_ , _zakāh_ , and _ḥajj_ —the course offers practical guidance. All course are taught by Imam Muhammad Sahil.
The Mosque’s engagement with schools through its educational outreach initiative continues to make a strong impact. Over 175 school visits have been hosted to date, offering primary and secondary students informative encounters with Islamic beliefs and practices. Led by Mrs Caroline O’Connor, an expert in school management, the programme has received consistently positive feedback. This year’s offering was enriched by the Centre’s astrolabe exhibition, particularly enhancing the experience for secondary school groups.
Beyond his duties within the Mosque, Imam Ibrahim is actively involved in university-wide outreach. He contributes to access programmes that encourage students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds to consider applying to Oxford. His tours for visiting prospective students and their families are frequently noted as a highlight. He also hosts interactive sessions for Religious Studies and Philosophy teacher trainees.
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As part of the University’s Chaplaincy Forum, the Imam engages in termly discussions on student welfare alongside chaplains of other faiths. In this capacity, he has led numerous tours and interfaith discussions with student groups and chaplaincy colleagues. Additionally, he serves on the University’s Muslim Prayer Room Committee, which oversees the provision and management of this important facility.
Local residents and visitors to the Centre are regularly welcomed for guided tours of the Mosque. These offer insight into Islamic belief and practice and are an important part of the Centre’s commitment to open engagement and public understanding.
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## _Chapter Thirteen_
## THE LIBRARY
T he Centre’s Kuwait Library has continued to expand over the past academic year. Both the collection and number of readers has grown. Collaboration with partners from within Oxford and overseas has also increased.
## The Collection
The Library’s collection stands at 53,178 catalogued items, of which over 60% are unique to the Centre and not available elsewhere in Oxford. It consists of 20,066 items in English, 17,606 in Arabic and 2,128 in Persian. The Urdu collection has also grown over the past year and now stands at 9,723 volumes.
Private collections continue to constitute a major part of the holdings. The Professor K. A. Nizami Collection with 11,235 items is fully searchable on SOLO, the University’s online catalogue. Since the inauguration of the Collection on 4 March 2024, requests of material in the Collection have significantly increased.
The cataloguing work on Shaikh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah Collection continues, and 5,369 items have been catalogued to date. The collection is housed as a discrete collection in the Special Collections Room, and the catalogued items are available to readers upon request. Special attention is being paid to the many hand-written notes accompanying the collection, which are now being separately listed and annotated.
The work on the Library’s Urdu holdings has been completed. Nearly 10,000 catalogued titles are organised thematically according to the Library of Congress classification system and are now housed in a designated section of the Special Collections Room.
The Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, Dr Firdavs Abdukhalikov, presented the Library with a full set of the 50-volume publication titled _Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections_ , and a facsimile of the Katta-Langar Qur’an. The donation included material on Uzbek art, history and culture, as well as publications of Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmizi and Imam Maturidi Centers.
## Staffing
Ms Wassilena Sekulova continues in her role as the Centre’s Librarian. Over the past year, in addition to her responsibilities overseeing the day-to-day management of the Library, she has focused on promoting the collection and enhancing the Library’s profile both within Oxford and internationally.
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Dr Nouri Muhammad serves as Library Assistant, with primary responsibility for the general upkeep of the Library space and the cataloguing of its collections.
Mr. Huzaifah Ismail, Library Assistant, successfully completed the cataloguing of the Library’s Urdu collection. He is currently the principal cataloguer for the Shaikh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah Collection, including the associated ephemera.
Dr Moin Ahmad Nizami continues in his role as Fellow Librarian and Fellow Archivist.
## Committees
The Library Management Committee meets once a Term to discuss management of the collections and reader services. The Library team also meets every Tuesday to discuss any outstanding issues and to report on the week’s work.
The Fellow Archivist and the Librarian are members of the Archive Committee which meets once every term. The Librarian continues to liaise with the Fellow Librarian and Archivist in managing the Library Archives, Private Papers, Manuscripts and Special Collections.
The Librarian attends committees run by the Bodleian Libraries including CLiPS-AMES (Committee on Library Provision and Strategy in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies), MELIBOX (Middle East Librarians Oxford), and the once-a-Term Cataloguers’ Forum. She is also an active member of the national branch of MELCom (Middle East Librarians Committee) and serves as the Secretary of MELCom International.
Cataloguing
From May 2024 to May 2025, 1,534 items have been catalogued. The Library continues its deduplication and weeding out exercise in order to free up space.
Special collections
The Library has received a generous donation from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) for the preservation of Special Collections. This donation will support the cataloguing and detailed description of the Library’s manuscript holdings, as well as its private papers. A laboratory is being developed within the Library for the digitisation of manuscripts, archival materials, and selected rare books.
To inform the planning of the digitisation lab, the Librarian and the Fellow Librarian visited the digitisation units at Christ Church and St John’s College, as well as the Bodleian Libraries Digitization Centre. A suitable scanning machine and supplier has been identified. The evaluation and selection of the appropriate software infrastructure to support the lab’s functions is currently in progress.
To address the growing preservation and conservation needs of its Special Collections, particularly in preparation for forthcoming digitisation efforts, the Library is planning to extend
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its membership with the Oxford Conservation Consortium (OCC). Over recent years, the OCC has played an essential role in providing expert conservation work, ensuring the proper care and handling of the Library’s manuscript collection, and assisting with the preparation and installation of exhibitions.
## Infrastructure
The Manuscript Room, known as the Timbuktu Room, houses 360 manuscripts in Arabic and Persian belonging to the Nizami Collection, and another six boxes of Arabic manuscripts from the Sheikh Abu Ghuddah collection, which are still to be processed. Work on the conservation of manuscripts is ongoing under the auspices of the Oxford Conservation Consortium (OCC). The manuscript collection is complemented by over 7,000 digital manuscripts donated to the Library by Professor Abdullah Al-Ghunaim, which are stored on a dedicated PC in the Timbuktu Room and are available for consultation by prior appointment.
The Nizami Collection also includes 260 coins. An initial identification of the coins and a handlist of the collection has been completed in cooperation with the Ashmolean Museum.
The Special Collections Reading Room has been equipped with reading spaces and will be open to researchers as a third reading room upon completion of the cataloguing of the Special Collections.
## Readers
Reader numbers continue to grow steadily. The Library is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm during Term and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at other times. The number of Library readers has grown steadily with an average of 450 visits per Term.
## Knowledge exchange and outreach
In January 2025, the Library hosted the 105[th] meeting of MELCom UK, which is the key forum for collaboration among librarians working with Middle Eastern and Islamic Collections. Librarians and curators from the British Library, British Museum, the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter and Edinburgh, the Aga Khan Library and Al Furqan Foundation were in attendance. The discussions centred on strategic expansion of collections in times of technological advancements.
The Library is organising an exhibition in cooperation with the Qatar National Library, which runs from 15 June to 15 October 2025. It complements the _Lines of Faith_ exhibition, organised in collaboration with the History of Science Museum, Oxford. The exhibition includes a curated selection of Islamic manuscripts focusing on the significance of the astrolabe and its legacy in the Islamic world. The displayed manuscripts from QNL’s Heritage Library shed light on the development and application of astronomical instruments in medieval Islamic societies. The works of scholars such as Abd al-Raḥman al-Sufi, Abu Ali al-Ḥasan al-Marrakushi, and Muwaqqit alMizzi, are on display. They demonstrate the precise calculations and astronomical observations used to determine prayer times and _qibla_ direction.
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For a second consecutive year, in March 2025, the Library hosted the Oxford Architecture Study Day for students at the Oxford Brookes University Art History programme. During the session, the Librarian and the students engaged in discussions about the history, diversity and complexity of Islamic architecture, using selected architectural features within the Centre as case studies.
In May and June 2025, the Library was pleased to welcome several visits from The Arts Society Oxford (TASO), a local chapter of the international Arts Society network, which brings together over 90,000 members worldwide. During their visits, members explored the Centre’s architecture and engaged with the Library’s holdings on Islamic art and architecture.
The Library was represented at the 46[th] MELCom International Annual Conference held from 20 to 23 May 2025 at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris. The Centre’s Librarian has been confirmed as a Secretary of MELCom International for the three-year term between 2026 and 2029. MELCom International is the largest and oldest organisation for librarians specialising in Middle Eastern and Islamic collections.
Library Lecture
The Library Lecture for the coming year is being planned to align with the Centre’s 40[th] anniversary.
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## _Chapter Thirteen_
## THE GARDENS
The gardens of the Centre comprise the _King Charles III Garden_ , which reflects traditional Islamic Garden design, and incorporates a wildflower meadow, a Rose Garden and a Banked Knot Garden, all overlooked by a raised viewing platform. There are also Trustees’ and Fellows’ Gardens, accompanied by a number of planted courtyards, including the Yemen, Istanbul, and King Fahd Courtyards.
## Garden Highlights
The walled Fellows’ Garden was at its most spectacular during spring and summer, with vibrant displays of roses, white lilies, red montbretias _(Crocosmia_ sp.), hydrangeas, and a rich variety of variegated underplanting. As this garden is compact, the density of planting had begun to feel overwhelming. Over the winter, the Gardens Team successfully reduced this bulk while maintaining colour, form and seasonal interest.
Enhancing the Trustees’ Garden has been a priority. This year, the highly fragrant star jasmine ( _Trachelospermum jasminoides_ ) flanking the entrance was at its peak, drawing frequent praise from visitors. In the borders, _Acanthus spinosus_ (bear’s breeches) brought vertical structure, while _Leycesteria formosa_ (Himalayan honeysuckle) added dramatic flowering among the backdrop shrubs. Summer saw the addition of more colour to the foreground with purple _Salvia ‘Amistad’_ (friendship sage) and yellow _Rudbeckia fulgida_ (coneflower), both relocated from other parts of the garden. The new planting to the right of the gates leading into the King Charles III Garden also developed well, alongside a spectacularly flowering Pride of India tree ( _Koelreuteria paniculata)_ .
The wildflower meadow in the King Charles III Garden underwent two spectacular flowering phases. In late spring, yellow cowslips ( _Primula veris)_ offered a striking contrast to the blue _Camassia quamash_ . From late July to early September, a second wave featured taller plants including blue cornflowers ( _Centaurea cyanus)_ , _Scabiosa caucasica_ , and vivid red carnations ( _Dianthus caryophyllus)_ . This late display was unexpectedly enhanced by the appearance of tall teasels ( _Dipsacus fullonum)_ on both sides of the meadow, a native UK species but new to this area.
Both autumn and winter brought continued interest. Despite being warmer and wetter than usual, the gardens strong seasonal colour — particularly the _Prunus ‘Umineko’_ (Japanese cherry ‘Snowgoose’) in the Trustees’ Garden and, in the Fellows’ Garden _**,**_ ongoing blooms of montbretia ( _Crocosmia aurea),_ hydrangeas _(Hydrangea paniculata)_ and roses continued well into November. The installation of irrigation hoses in the northern and western borders of the King Charles III Garden have encouraged vigorous growth of red-hot pokers/torch lilies ( _Kniphofia uvaria)_ and, for the first time, flowering of the lily turf ( _Liriope muscari)_ .
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Despite severe cold spells later in the winter, flowering continued, most notably _Daphne odora_ in both the Daphne Garden and the King Fahd Courtyard. Frost brought its own stark beauty, particularly in early January when hoarfrost dramatically oak-leaved hydrangeas ( _Hydrangea quercifolia_ ) and early hellebores ( _Helleborus niger_ ) in the King Charles III Garden _._
## The Gardens Team
The Gardens Team had a productive year. As noted, the new irrigation systems in the western and northern borders of the King Charles III Garden have significantly improved plant performance _._ A similar system installed over winter in the main border of the Istanbul Courtyard is already enabling a broader and more colourful planting palette.
In managing the ongoing challenge of box blight — a major problem across the UK — the team has adopted a threefold strategy. First, removing non-essential box while preserving key design elements, such as the hedges of the Rose Garden. Second, successful substitution with _Euonymus japonicus_ in the King Fahd Courtyard, which has already required trimming due to vigorous growth. Third, cutting back existing box to expose lower wood, enhancing airflow and treatment access. Whole temporarily unsightly, this has proven effective: by autumn, the central units of the Banked Knot Garden had shown healthy leaf growth.
Looking ahead, further replacement of box hedging is planned using _Lonicera nitida_ (Wilson's honeysuckle), a robust alternative. Meanwhile, the new, larger planters on the Pergola Roof Garden are now complete. To ensure rapid pergola coverage in the harsh roof environment, robust climbers such as jasmine ( _Jasminum officinale_ ), honeysuckle ( _Lonicera periclymenum)_ and wisteria (W _isteria sinensis_ ) were chosen over more exotic, less resilient species.
Garden Visits and Open Days
Public visits to the King Charles III Garden continue to grow during its regular Tuesday openings between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. The Centre also participates in the ‘Open Doors’ event in September, when the entire estate welcomes the public. In addition, numerous organised tours have been led by the Garden Master and colleagues — the most recent being a group of gardeners from Oxford Colleges.
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## _Chapter Fourteen_
## GOVERNANCE OF THE CENTRE
he Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is incorporated by Royal Charter dated 20 April 2012 and T is a Registered Charity (No. 293072).
## PATRON
His Majesty King Charles III
## THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
During the year under review, the following served as members of the Board of Trustees:
HRH PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL, Chair, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Riyadh (Chair)
HRH SULTAN NAZRIN SHAH, Sultan of Perak, Malaysia (Vice-Chair)
HE DR ABDULLAH GÜL, 11[th] President of the Republic of Türkiye
HH SHEIKH DR MOHAMMED AL-SABAH, Former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait
HE SHEIKHA HIND BINT HAMAD AL-THANI, Vice Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation
HIS EMINENCE SULTAN MUHAMMAD SA’AD ABUBAKAR, Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria
HRH PRINCE FAISAL BIN SALMAN, Special Advisor, HM King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia
RT HON DOMINIC GRIEVE KC, former Attorney-General for England and Wales
MR KHALID ALIREZA, CEO, Xenel Industries Ltd, Saudi Arabia
TAN SRI DATUK ZARINAH ANWAR, Chairman of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Malaysia
SIR MARTIN DONNELLY KCB, former Permanent Secretary at the Department of International Trade, UK
PROFESSOR RASHID NAIM, Department of Political Science, George State University, USA
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DR CATHERINE SWALES, Director of Clinical Studies, Medical Science Division, University of Oxford, UK
MR ROBERT HANNIGAN, Warden, Wadham College, Oxford (from May 2025)
DR RAJA AL GURG, Chairperson and Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group UAE, (coopted to the Finance and Investment Committee)
HE SHEIKH DR MESHAAL JABER AL-SABAH, Director-General, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, (co-opted to the Strategy and Planning Committee)
DR BASIL MUSTAFA, (co-opted to the Finance and Investment Committee)
## EMERITUS TRUSTEES
PROFESSOR KEITH B. GRIFFIN, Former President, Magdalen College, Oxford
HE MR M JUSUF KALLA, Former Vice President of Indonesia
DR ABDULLAH OMAR NASSEEF, Former President, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah
PEHIN ABDULAZIZ UMAR, Former Minister of Education, Brunei Darussalam
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DR FARHAN AHMAD NIZAMI, CBE, Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford
The 41[st] meeting of the Board was held in Oxford on 14 September 2023.
## COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Three sub-committees of the Board of Trustees oversee the academic, financial and strategic policies of the Centre and advise the Board accordingly.
## THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE
The Academic Committee is responsible for reviewing all aspects of the academic policy of the Centre, as determined by the Board of Trustees, and for making recommendations to the Board accordingly. The Committee is chaired by Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC.
The 41[st] meeting of the Committee was held in Oxford on 9 April 2025.
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## THE FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The Finance and Investment Committee is responsible for reviewing all aspects of the finance and investment policies of the Centre, and for making recommendations accordingly to the Board of Trustees. This Committee is chaired by HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman.
The 69[th] meeting of the Committee was held in Oxford on 9 April 2025.
THE STRATEGY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Strategy and Planning Committee is responsible for reviewing all aspects of the strategic aims and policies of the Centre, and for making recommendations accordingly to the Board of Trustees. This Committee is chaired by HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani.
The 62[nd] meeting of the Committee was held in Oxford on 9 April 2025.
## ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The advancement of the Centre’s activities at local, national and international levels is assisted by the following advisory committees.
## STRATEGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Strategy Advisory Committee advises on initiatives that strengthen the Centre’s resources and extend its positive impact on wider British society. The members of the Committee are:
HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal (Chair)
The Rt Hon Sir Clive Alderton, KCVO
The Rt Hon Jack Straw
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Williams of Oystermouth DD FBA
The Rt Hon Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers KG PC
The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP
Dr Farhan Nizami, CBE
## INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Committee sustains and expands the Centre’s global network of scholarly and institutional contacts. The members of the Committee are:
Dr Usman Bugaje Former Special Advisor to the President of Nigeria
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Professor François Burgat National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France
Professor Rahma Al-Mahrooqi Minister of Higher Education, Sultanate of Oman
Professor Abdullah Yusuf Al-Ghunaim Chairman, Centre for Kuwait Studies
Sir Jeremy Greenstock Former UK Permanent Representative at the United Nations
Dr Carole Hillenbrand
Professor Emerita of Islamic History, University of Edinburgh and Professor of Islamic History, University of St Andrews
Mr Salman Khurshid Former Foreign Minister, India
Professor Bruce Lawrence Professor Emeritus, Duke University, USA
Dr Marty Natalegawa Former Foreign Minister, Indonesia
Dr Driss Oaouicha
Former Minister for Education and Scientific Research, Morocco
Dr Don Randel
Former President, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Shaikh Mohamed Al-Thani Former Minister of Economy and Commerce, Qatar
Mr Sodiq Safoyev
First Deputy Chairman, Senate of Oliy Majlis, Uzbekistan
## ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Each Term, this Committee reviews and supports the Centre’s contribution to teaching and research. During the year under review, its members were:
Dr Farhan Nizami (Chair) Director, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Dr Silke Ackermann Director, History of Science Museum
Professor Christopher Adam Oxford Department of International Development
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Professor Judith Buchanan Master, St Peter’s College
Professor Mark Edwards Chair, Faculty of Religion and Theology
Dame Helen Ghosh Master, Balliol College, Oxford (until January 2025)
Professor Roger Goodman Warden, St Antony’s College
Mr Robert Hannigan Warden, Wadham College
Professor Robert Iliffe History Faculty, Oxford University
Ms Kate Mavor Master, St Cross College, Oxford
Dinah Rose KC President, Magdalen College, Oxford
Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh OBE Head of Department, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
This Committee is responsible for monitoring the performance of the Trust’s investment managers, ensuring compliance with their operating mandate, and making recommendations on the management of the Trust’s investments. During the year under review, its members were:
Dr Farhan Nizami (Chair) Director, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Mr Adam Ebrahim CEO, OASIS Crescent
Professor Muhammad Meki Fellow in Islamic Finance, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Mr Akber Moawalla Russell Wood Ltd
Dr Basil Mustafa Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Mr Yong Shen Bursar, Magdalen College, Oxford
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Mr Ziad Tayara Xenel Industries Ltd
Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar Chairman, Malaysia International Islamic Finance Centre (MIFC)
## SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies continues to have sole ownership of the following subsidiary companies:
- OXCIS Ltd
- Oxford Endeavours Ltd
Oxford Endeavours Ltd has sole ownership of:
- Oxford Real Estate Ltd
- Oxford Islamic Finance Ltd
## PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
Solicitors
Blake Morgan LLP Seacourt Tower, West Way, Oxford
Bird & Bird 12 New Fetter Lane, London
Landmark Chambers 180 Fleet Street, London
Bankers and Investment Managers
Barclays Bank PLC P.O. Box 858, Oxford
National Westminster Bank PLC 43 Cornmarket Street, Oxford
Allianz Global Investors Europe 155 Bishopsgate, London
Julius Baer International Ltd 1 St Martin’s Le Grand, London
CCLA Investment Management Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London
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Cazenove Capital King Charles House, Park End Street, Oxford
Accountants and Auditors
Wenn Townsend Chartered Accountants, 30 St Giles, Oxford
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_Chapter Fifteen_
## MEMBERSHIP OF THE CENTRE
## DIRECTOR
Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami, CBE, MA (AMU), MA, DPhil (Oxon); King Charles III Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford; Emeritus Fellow of St Cross College; Member of the Faculty of History and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford _The King Charles III Fellow in the Study of the Islamic World_
## FELLOWS
The following held Fellowships at the Centre:
Dr Afifi al-Akiti, BA (Belfast), MA, MSt, DPhil (Oxon); Islamic Centre Lecturer in the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford; Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford; Member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford _Kuwait Fellow in Islamic Studies_
Dr Mohammed Ali Allehbi, MA (Chicago), PhD (Vanderbilt) _Mohammed Noah Research Fellow_
Dr Fouzia Farooq Ahmed, BA (FG College for Women), MSc, MPhil, PhD (Quaid-eAzam University) _Atlas Research Fellow_
Maulana Ibrahim Amin
_Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Fellow_ ; _Imam_
Professor Sir David Clary, BSc (Sussex), PhD, ScD (Cantab); Honorary Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford
_King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Fellow_
Professor Shahid Jameel, BSc (AMU), MSc (IIT Kanpur), PhD (Washington State); Research Fellow, Green Templeton College, Oxford _Sultan Qaboos bin Said Fellow_
Professor Adeel Malik, MPhil, DPhil (Oxon); Associate Professor and Islamic Centre Lecturer in the Economies of Muslim Societies, Department of International Development, University of Oxford; Senior Research Fellow, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
_Globe Fellow in the Economies of Muslim Societies_
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Professor Muhammad Meki, BSc (Warwick), PGDip (Cantab), MSc (LSE), MSc, DPhil (Oxon); Associate Professor and Islamic Centre Lecturer in Islamic Finance, Department of International Development, University of Oxford
_Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Fellow in Islamic Finance_
Dr Asma Mustafa, BA (Reading), MPhil, DPhil (Oxon); Senior Research Fellow, Linacre College, Oxford
_Salahuddin Abdul Jawad Fellow_
Dr Adil Najam, Bsc (UET), S.M., PhD (MIT); President, WWF-International; Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth and the Environment, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
_Tun Mahathir Mohamad Fellow_
Dr Moin Nizami, MA (AMU), PhD (Cantab); Member of the Faculty of History, University of Oxford
_Tun Abdul Razak Fellow_
Baroness Hale of Richmond, DBE, MA (Cantab); Honorary Fellow, Mansfield College, Oxford
_Sultan Azlan Shah Fellow_
Dr Muhammad Sami, MSc (Oxon), MA (AUC); Islamic Studies Lector, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford
_Albukhary Foundation Fellow_
ARABIC LECTOR
Mrs Sara Youssef, BA (Al-Azhar), MA (AUC)
_Kuwait Lector in Arabic_
SENIOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
The following were Senior Associate Members during the academic year 2023/24:
Dr David Browning, Emeritus Fellow, St Cross College, Oxford
Professor Hugh Dickinson, MA (Oxon), PhD, DSc (Birmingham) (Garden Master)
Lady Judith English, MA, MB, BChir (Cantab), MRCP, FRCPsych; Former Principal of St Hilda’s College, Oxford
Professor Carole Hillenbrand, CBE, FBA, FRSE, BA (Oxon), PhD (Edinburgh)
Dr Amir Lebdioui, PhD (Cambridge); Director, TIDE Centre, Oxford
Professor Paul Madden, FRS, FRSE, Former Provost, The Queen’s College, Oxford
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Dr Basil Mustafa, MSc (Leeds), PhD (Loughborough), MEd (Oxon)
Mr Jeremy Jones, MA (Cantab)
Mr Joss Saunders, MA (Oxon)
Mr Richard Makepeace CMG, MA (Oxon)
Professor Mohammad Talib, MA, PhD (Jamia Millia Islamia)
Mr Jon Wilks CMG, BSc, MA (Dunelm), MPhil (Oxon)
VISITING FELLOWS & ACADEMIC VISITORS
Please see chapter seven on Visiting Fellowships.
## TRUST AND CENTRE ADMINISTRATION
_Academic Advisor_ Professor Paul Madden
_Governance Advisor_ Mr Joss Saunders, MA (Oxon)
## _Centre Coordinator_
Professor Shahid Jameel, BSc (AMU), MSc (IIT Kanpur), PhD (Washington State)
_Assistant Registrar_
Mrs Sana Dogar, BSc (LUMS), Assoc CIPD
_Human Resources Officer_
Ms Caroline Jenkins, BA Hons (Lancaster), Assoc CIPD
## _Personal Assistant to the Director_
Ms Daisy McEachen-Bramwell, BA (Sussex)
_Secretaries in the Director's Office_
Ms Karen Green Mrs Caroline Sutton
Development
## _Administrative Assistant_
Mrs Nursyaiyerah Tarmizi, MA (Oxford Brookes)
_Graduate Assistant_
Ms Caroline Lansdown, MA (Exeter)
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## Academic Office
## _Coordinator Visiting Fellowships_
Professor Shahid Jameel, BSc (AMU), MSc (IIT Kanpur), PhD (Washington State)
## _Dean of Scholars_
Dr Asma Mustafa, BA (Reading), MPhil, DPhil (Oxon)
## _Academic Administrator_
Mr Paul Churchill, MA, M.Litt. (St Andrews)
_Academic Officer_ Mrs Elizabeth Imlah
Publications
_Publications Manager_
Dr Jamil Qureshi, BA, MA, DPhil (Oxon) (until May 2025)
_Publications & Special Projects Officer_
Dr Maria Shmygol, BA, MA, PhD (University of Liverpool)
Library
_Fellow Librarian_
Dr Moin Nizami, MA (Aligarh), PhD (Cantab)
_Librarian_
Ms Wassilena Sekulova, MA, (Berlin)
_Library Assistants_
Dr Nouri Mohamed, PhD (Damascus) Mr Huzaifah Ismail, MA (SOAS)
Finance
_Investment Bursar_
Professor Mohammad Meki, BSc (Warwick), PGDip (Cantab), MSc (LSE), MSc, DPhil (Oxon)
_Deputy Registrar_ (until July 2025)
Mr Richard Weyers, BA (Dunelm), MA (UCL)
_Finance Manager_ (until April 2025)
Mr Ovais Ziauddin, DipFin (Thames Valley), FCCA
_Finance Assistant_
Ms Isra Zamurd, MAAT
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Mosque
_Imam_ Maulana Ibrahim Amin _Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Fellow_
_Mosque Educational Visits Officer_ Ms Caroline O’Connor
_Mosque Assistant_ Maulana Muhammad Sahil
Home Bursary
_Home Bursar_ Mr Charles Howard, BSc Hons (Surrey) (from June 2025)
_Bursary Administrator_ Ms Celia Lavington, BSc Hons (Brookes)
_Bursary Secretary_ Ms Dinara Kaliyeva, BA (Birmingham), MSc (Brookes)
Gardens
_Garden Master_ Professor Hugh Dickinson MA (Oxon), PhD, DSc (Birmingham)
_Assistant Garden Master_ Mr Paul Churchill, MA, M.Litt. (St Andrews)
IT
_IT Manager_
Mr Dale Lloyd, BSc (Leeds)
_Senior IT Officer_ Mr Ilias Kozadinos (until May 2025)
_IT Officer_
Mr Benjamin Davies (from May 2025)
Maintenance
_Maintenance Manager_ Mr Mathew Bird (until November 2024) Mr Marcin Ciepielski
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_Maintenance Technicians_ Mr Ethan Harris Mr Dean Potter
Housekeeping
_Housekeeping Manager_ Mr Eldhose Alias, MSc (Northumbria University)
_Scouts_ Mrs Zafreen Akhtar Mr Karim Ihadadene Mrs Lynda Msonthi Mrs Beebee Nazma Nanyock Mrs Perla Berkiova Mr Said Baidy Mrs Rufina Goncalves Mesquita Mr Jinu Jassil Thorakkattil Neeramkuzhiyil
Lodge
_Senior Porter_ Mr Barry Green
_Deputy Senior Porter_ Mr Liam Kearns (until July 2025)
_Lodge Porters_ Mr Zouhir Hassein-Bey Mr Nasar Khan Mr Ronny Rajendran (until July 2025) Mr Bill Rivers Mr Ali Qaisar Mr Nasiru Sawadogo Mr Mourad Belkhira
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Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Marston Road, Oxford OX3 0EE United Kingdom Telephone: 44 1865 278730 Fax: 44 1865 248942 Email: islamic.studies@oxcis.ac.uk Incorporated by Royal Charter Registered Charity No: 293072