King Charles hails Oxford's internationally renowned Islamic centre
The monarch on Thursday lauded the work of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in broadening understanding of the Islamic world in the United Kingdom.
The ornate dedicated building, an affiliate of the University of Oxford, now stands as one of the architectural treasures of the so-called city of dreaming spires.
King Charles said the centre "started off in little more than a hut but was now an internationally renowned institution – now housed in these spectacular surroundings – hosting a plethora of fascinating speakers over the years, creating countless opportunities for young and old alike, and forging lifelong friendships along the way".
He added: "The centre's ongoing commitment to objective scholarship and international co-operation, underpinned by principles of dialogue, deep understanding and mutual respect, is more imperative than ever in today's world.
"I need hardly say I am extremely heartened that the centre continues to play such a significant role in that globally critical endeavour. Indeed, the spark of ambition with which the centre was founded all those years ago remains undimmed."
One of the guests at the ceremony was Prince Turki bin Faisal, the former ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK and the US, who paid tribute to the founders of the centre.
He recalled that its first year budget was £70,000 ($94,000) donated by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.
The guiding force behind the centre has been director Farhan Nizami, who was praised by King Charles on Thursday for his vision for the school.
As patron, the then-Prince Charles gave a landmark lecture on 'Islam and the West' that set the tone for his work on how religions can thrive through mutual respect and shared concern for the challenges facing humanity. The distinguished lecture series launched on that day has since featured annual visits by heads of state, politicians and leading academics.
The centre received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. The 40th anniversary visit from the monarch will involved the establishment of the King Charles III wing.
A new programme carrying his name will bring together a fellowship, the Young Muslim Leadership programme, as well as conferences on the environment and sustainability.
Prince Turki, who is chairman of the board of trustees, said there was strong support from the region for students at the centre, including scholarships in the name of the late King Abdullah of Jordan, the late Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia, and King Salman.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Best photos of August 3: World Dog Surfing Championships in California to tourists on camels in China
Pope Leo XIV waves to the faithful as he leaves Mass for the Jubilee of Youth at Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy. Reuters
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Scholarship students share why they chose to study abroad, inspire aspirants
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research organized the New Scholarship Students Forum 2025 on Thursday at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL), Dubai. The event brought together students and parents in an interactive setting focused on academic guidance, national values, and the comprehensive support offered throughout the scholarship journey. The orientation featured interactive workshops covering key topics such as scholarship activation, communication with the Ministry and cultural attachés, student rights and responsibilities, cultural adjustment, personal safety, and academic and career planning. Dedicated sessions were held for parents to address their questions, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to involving families as key partners in supporting students' academic and emotional well-being abroad. The gathering featured discussions with former scholars who shared their experiences and highlighted the Ministry's role in supporting students abroad. Parents and students began exchanging contact details, building a network of mutual support to ease the transition for their children and themselves. Dr Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said, 'Each year, we receive nearly 3,000 scholarship applications, but only 10 per cent are selected based on their academic excellence and admission to top global universities.' The total number of Emirati scholarship students abroad, including both new and continuing students, has reached 592, enrolled in over 115 higher education institutions across at least 22 countries worldwide — all ranked among the top global universities. Meanwhile, 187 students graduated from the scholarship programme during the 2024–2025 academic year. He stressed the importance of maintaining balance between academic, professional, and personal growth during the scholarship period. Dr Al Mualla emphasized that the scholarship programme reflects the UAE's commitment to investing in its youth by providing access to world-class education, enabling students to acquire diverse skills and international exposure, fostering a strong sense of national responsibility, and preparing them to meet the evolving needs of the job market. He added, 'You must take pride in your Emirati identity, uphold your national values and religious ethics, and carry them with you in your interactions abroad.' The event also featured emotional and interactive moments, as students posed for commemorative photos with their families and wrote postcards with personal messages to loved ones — mementos to keep during their time abroad. Self-reliance and independence Speaking to Khaleej Times, Khadijah Ali, 20, who began her scholarship in 2023 and is currently entering her third year studying psychology at McMaster University in Canada, reflected on her initial feelings, 'When I first got accepted into the scholarship programme, I felt a mix of fear, anxiety, and joy. I was afraid of failing, but my family's support encouraged me to begin. Today, I am truly happy with my decision.' 'Studying abroad has been a completely different experience. I've met so many people and learned to be independent at a very young age,' she added. She explained that after spending her first year in student housing, she decided to find and furnish her own apartment. 'I was proud of myself and my independence at such a young age,' she said. In her second year, Khadeeja launched a small business selling traditional Emirati Mukhawar (a traditional dress). She advised new scholars, 'Try every experience available beyond academics. Enjoy your time — it's what will truly enrich your years of study.' Becoming self-reliant Abdullah Nabil Alnaqbi, an 18-year-old high school graduate, has decided to pursue a degree in actuarial science at the University of Melbourne in Australia. 'This is an opportunity for me to rely on myself and experience life independently,' he said. He explained that his choice was influenced by his cousin, who is currently studying in Australia and has praised both the quality of education and the ease of living there. 'Choosing to study abroad was easy for me — I was fully convinced,' he added. His mother, who studied at the UAE University away from her family, expressed her confidence in the experience, 'It's a wonderful opportunity for him to become more self-reliant and grow personally.' She credited her confidence in the decision to the school's numerous preparatory meetings and her trust in the UAE's commitment to ensuring its citizens' safety and well-being abroad. In the weeks leading up to the event, cultural attachés in host countries held virtual sessions to familiarize students and parents with digital services and support mechanisms, offering guidance to ensure a well-rounded and successful scholarship journey.
Khaleej Times
26-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How to prevent 'learning loss' and help kids study during summer holidays
With summer in full swing, families across the UAE are juggling holidays, travel plans, and downtime at home. But behind the relaxed pace of July and August lies a concern that educators have long warned about — the 'summer slide.' Studies show that children can lose 20-30 per cent of their academic progress over the summer break, particularly in math, where an average dip of up to 2.6 months is common over just six weeks. This learning loss can quietly build up over the years, putting some students as much as two years behind by middle school. Recognising this, many UAE schools heads are actively encouraging parents to incorporate learning into their children's daily routines, even during vacation. 'For some students there may be a slight loss of learning over the summer however we do encourage all of our students to read for a minimum of 30 minutes daily to develop literacy skills further which in turn enables access to all curriculum areas,' said Stephen Brecken, Principal/CEO of GEMS Cambridge International School, Dubai. 'Students are encouraged to access online platforms daily, such as Century Tech and Times Table Rock Stars, to prevent regression in learning, especially in the core subjects. We assign work over the summer for students joining us in Year 12 from the CBSE curriculum. We do find that the large majority of our parents encourage their children to undertake some form of academic learning over the summer holidays, which does go a long way to prevent summer regress," Brecken said. "Schools and educators could collaborate to develop early intervention programmes which would enable parents and children to learn together in a fun and engaging way over the summer, whilst also being mindful of the need for us all to take time to focus on wellbeing and Family First," he added. Learning through life, not just lessons From digital tools to shared reading time, many families are doing their best to keep young minds ticking. Maryssa O'Connor, Executive Vice President of Quality Assurance and Principal of GEMS Wellington International School Dubai, pointed out that learning doesn't have to be confined to books or devices. 'Mathematics curricula and assessment in schools are designed to ensure any gaps or difficulties are noted by teachers and addressed. Over time this should prevent children falling significantly behind and our schools have excellent intervention and teaching practices to support children who need extra guidance," O'Connor said. She explained parents can support by ensuring children regularly practise their maths using the resources shared by the teacher, this includes the holiday period. Just like reading, short periods of regular practice will help children remember. Real life application is also a great way to keep maths alive in the holidays. 'Parents can involve children in daily maths through counting, measuring and time planning. Try converting currency when travelling and working out the bill in restaurants and when shopping together. Planning routes, how long a journey will take and calculating time differences are all good ways to keep maths skills working hard in the holidays. Playing board games that involve counting and even keeping score of a ball game at the beach can help maths be fun for younger children too,' added O'Connor. The summer break also brings emotional shifts, especially for children who've travelled back to their home countries or had disrupted routines. School leaders say this can affect how students reintegrate into the classroom. Creative holiday homework and tech tools 'Being an educator for 30 years, I've seen that summer learning loss is a real and recurring challenge,' said Shiny Davison, Principal of Woodlem Park School Hamidiya. 'To address this, we dedicate the first week to informal assessments to identify learning gaps. With students returning from diverse backgrounds and experiences, especially after travel to home countries, we focus on restoring consistent routines, revisiting core concepts, and applying real-life learning strategies. These practices have proven effective over the years," Davison added. "To keep students and parents engaged during the summer break, many institutions continue the tried-and-tested practice of assigning holiday homework — designed in fun, creative formats to reinforce previously learned concepts. 'This ensures children remain connected to their learning while involving parents in the process. Additionally, we incorporate educational apps in English, math, and science, leveraging the tech-savvy nature of today's alpha generation. These platforms make revision interactive and enjoyable. To boost motivation, we implement a reward system that appreciates completion and effort. This not only encourages children to stay on track academically but also builds a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm throughout the summer," Davison said.
