University's Islamic research tie-up

Prof El-Awaisi (right) heads the institute

A Scottish university is aiming to boost UK understanding of Islamic affairs and to research the role of Muslims in Scotland.

Now, at a time of heightened international tension, it is more important than ever for Abertay to do what it can to foster greater understanding between the world's major faiths

Abertay Dundee's principal, Bernard King

Under a five-year deal the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Dundee is becoming a division of the University of Abertay Dundee's school of social and health sciences.

The institute has been given financial backing by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of industry and finance in the United Arab Emirates.

It is converting a former school and college building in the centre of Dundee into premises for research and postgraduate teaching in the culture and history of Islam.

Abertay's principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Bernard King, said: "Not only is the Al-Maktoum Institute the first academic initiative of its kind in Scotland, it is also a uniquely important development for Britain.

Globalisation

"Now, at a time of heightened international tension, it is more important than ever for Abertay to do what it can to foster greater understanding between the world's major faiths."

The Al-Maktoum Institute, under the leadership of Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, was "the perfect vehicle" for this.

Such cross-cultural developments were essential to meet Scotland's global business aspirations, he added.

Although this has been given added impetus since 11 September, talks have been going on for about a year.

The institute intends to offer a masters degree and postgraduate diploma course in Islamic studies and "Islamic Jerusalem" studies.

It hopes to recruit about 20 students for courses beginning this autumn.

The university will validate the courses.

Staffing

In the future, research degrees are planned in a range of specialist fields related to Islamic studies.

Abertay's courses will be taught in English by specialist staff of the institute, who will be appointed to honorary positions at the university.

Professor El-Awaisi himself has been made an Honorary professor in Arabic and Islamic studies.

"We are very excited about the potential offered by our close relationship with Abertay," he said.

"The university has a proud track record of multi-cultural recruitment both in Scotland and in its overseas activities, and I am convinced that this partnership will be of great benefit to both institutions and to Scottish and Muslim society at large."

Other universities already offer Islamic studies, usually combined with another subject.

Little-known community

Professor El-Awaisi also wants to investigate Scotland's Muslims, and says links with the local community will be very important.

"This will be a completely new area of research," he says.

"For instance, no-one knows the exact number of Muslims there are in Scotland, and the history of the community has never been studied."

The separate focus on "Islamic Jerusalem" is designed, according to Abertay, to contribute to better international understanding of the background to one of the world's longest-running areas of tension.

MP's backing

The MP for Dundee West, Ernie Ross, went to school in what is now the institute's base.

He has been closely involved in the discussions which led to its being set up.

"I think it's a very exciting development," he said, "and to my knowledge its the first time a British university has established such close links with the modern Arabic world.

"Here in Dundee we now have Christianity and Islam working side by side, and this institute has a key role to play in teaching students about the history and culture of Islam."