Oxford Center For Islamic Studies

Many distinguished statesmen and scholars have lectured at the Centre in a programme that began in 1993 with HRH The Prince of Wales' inaugural lecture, 'Islam and the West'. Lecturers in this series have included heads of state and government internationally renowned scholars from the Muslim world and beyond (Secretaries General of international organisations, including the Commonwealth). The Centre started life in St Cross College and its first premises were a wooden hut in St Cross Road, which had been the first home of the College. It then moved to office accommodation in George Street in 1990. Finally the Centre settled into its new premises during the 2016/17 academic year. The new building provides much enhanced academic facilities for the Centre’s future development, including a lecture theatre, seminar and teaching rooms, exhibition space, library, offices for Centre Fellows and staff, a dining hall and accommodation for students and visiting fellows, all set around quadrangles and gardens in the Oxford tradition. The complex also includes a mosque which is open to the public for daily prayers.