The King has said the commitment of a major centre for Islamic study to “international co-operation” is more “imperative than ever in today’s world”.
Charles described the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies as a “beacon of Islamic scholarship” when he visited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the institution, which has grown from a hut to an impressive complex as part of Oxford University.
“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,” said the King in a brief speech.
“I need hardly say I am extremely heartened that the centre continues to play such a significant role in that globally critical endeavour.”
His comments came as the Middle East remains mired in conflict, with Israel fighting on multiple fronts from its continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip, recent strikes on Syria and the attack on Iran.
Speaking to invited guests and supporters, who included former home secretary Jack Straw and former attorney general Dominic Grieve, Charles, who is the centre’s patron, praised its “unfailing work to broaden our understanding of the Islamic world in the United Kingdom”.
Farhan Nizami, the centre’s director, has been instrumental in its development over the decades, and said about its work today: “The ability to bring scholars from around the world in a safe space where they can exchange ideas – we can agree to disagree when need be – but also to encourage the students to come into Oxford to read for Oxford degrees.
“I think the very presence of the centre is a statement of inter-faith.”
He also praised the King’s support for the centre since becoming its patron in 1993, hosting celebratory events at various anniversary milestones and delivering the centre’s inaugural lecture, Islam And The West, that year.
The director said Charles’ 1993 speech “still has a tremendous resonance and is still quoted – the call for better understanding of peoples and cultures.
“But as he put it then, that Islam was part of us in Britain and Britain is part of the Muslim world, and we should get rid of any prejudice and ignorance that might exist, to do that through good scholarship which is the basis for building bridges”.
During the visit the King cut a ribbon to officially open a wing renamed the King Charles III Wing.
It will host a programme named in his honour which consolidates activities inspired by him, from the Young Muslim Leadership Programme to conferences focused on global issues like the environment and sustainability.
Mr Straw, who sat on an advisory committee for the centre for a period, said: “The fact it has developed in this way over 40 years is absolutely extraordinary.
“The patronage of now the King, then the Prince of Wales, has also been profoundly important because he was very much ahead of his time and it wasn’t necessarily a popular cause.”
